Award Recognition Program for Christian Independent Artists Recognizes Pursuit of Excellence in Christian Music CIA Summit
Leading independent Christian musician/artist resource agency Indieheaven recently announced the winners of the 2009 Momentum Awards at the 6th Annual CIA Summit, a conference geared toward encouraging Christian independent artists to create momentum and pursue passion and excellence in their music mission while educating them on what it takes to be successful in today’s marketplace.
The Momentum Awards are the premier award recognition program for Christian independent artists, recognizing the pursuit of excellence in the independent Christian music mission. Previous winners have seen new opportunities for advancement in their music and mission following the Momentum Awards. Some have gone on to sign recording contracts, while others have continued to see success as independent artists.
“As the music industry continues to change and more artists are either staying independent or going back to their independent roots, it is important to recognize the pursuit of excellence in this growing ‘indie-stry,'” states Indieheaven president and CIA Summit founder Keith Mohr. “The basis for the Momentum Awards is not competition, but comrades applauding and encouraging one another to create momentum in their music missions. We teach indies that momentum is paramount to success as an independent artist.”
The winners of the 2009 Momentum Awards include Frances Drost, Female Artist of the Year; Gabriel, Male Artist of the Year; Jaime Thietten, Song of the Year (for “My Chance”); Nathan Clark George, Album of the Year (for Pull Up A Chair); Nathan Clark George, Acoustic Artist of the Year; Stevvi Alexander, Contemporary Artist of the Year; Chris Filer, Country Artist of the Year; Anna Gilbert, Inspirational Artist of the Year; Chris Lucas, Instrumental Artist of the Year; Drew Davidsen, Jazz Artist of the Year; Justpassingthru, Rock Artist of the Year; Cathy J Reynolds, Southern Gospel Artist of the Year; Journey Home, Worship Artist of the Year; David Michael Carillo, Hardest Working Indie Artist Award; Slater Armstrong, Musicianary Award; David Linn, The Spirit of Unity Award; Larry French, Indie Friend Award; and Sweet Crystal, Perseverance Award.
The 2009 Momentum Awards were the culmination of a successful conference that saw Christian independent artists gather in Nashville from across the U.S. and from as far away as Australia.
The CIA Summit conference welcomed musicians and artists of all styles of music, from those just starting on their music mission to seasoned veterans and formerly label-signed artists. The event was geared to teach attendees the nuts and bolts of what it takes to be a successful independent artist, and attendees were encouraged to share their experiences and missions through open panel discussions and networking.
“In a time of rapid change in the Christian music industry, independent artists not only must be talented, they must also be educated on how to succeed as an independent, since 99% will remain independent,” says Mohr. “The CIA Summit equips, empowers, encourages and delivers the truth about serving Christ through the medium of music.”
Speakers and panelists at this year’s CIA Summit included Mohr; Eric Copeland, president of Creative Soul Records; Wally Nason, president and CEO of Nason Music Group; Scott MacLeod, founder of Provision International and leader of Harvest Sound; Byron Spradlin of Artists in Christian Testimony, Intl.; CCM veteran artists Bryan Duncan and Margaret Becker; Ray Ware of Ware Management; Ricky B. of Fused Management; Lynn McCain, president of McCain & Co. Public Relations; Grant Norsworthy, Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY Award-nominated musician; Vince Wilcox, Christian music industry veteran, marketing consultant and artist manager; Mike Rapp of GeneratorNetwork.com; Scott Shuford, founder of FrontGate Media; David Hooper, founder of Kathode Ray Music and host of Music Business Radio; Billy Smiley, GRAMMY and Dove Award- nominated producer and co-founder of Best Media Group, LLC; top CCM songwriters Lowell Alexander, Robert Sterling and Regi Stone; Randy Cox, publishing veteran and founder of Meadowgreen Publishing (Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith); and top performance coach Tom Jackson, among others.
For more information on the 2009 Momentum Awards and the CIA Summit, visit their website at www.ciasummit.com.
Online non-stop since 2002, Indieheaven.com is an independent Christian musician resource agency that provides a world-class profile with unlimited content, physical and digital distribution, with 100% of the sales going directly to the artist, marketing, promotion and management services. The site also provides strong community through The IH Network. Indieheaven.com is also an online music store, where fans of Christian music can purchase CDs and digital singles from Indieheaven members. For more information on Indieheaven, visit www.indieheaven.com.
Contact:
McCain & Co. Public Relations
email: mccainprnews@mccainpr.com
phone: 615-262-1727
