Recently in Christian music contests Category

The Embassy Music 15th Annual Ultimate Talent Search competition took place over Labor Day weekend, and the big winners are (pictured L to R: Robert Mundo, Joanna King, Embassy Music president Darwin Moody):

Elementary music teacher Joanna King, who hails from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was named the winner in the Songwriter category for her original tune entitled, "Son of God." King is currently a worship leader for her church. As part of her prize package, King's song "Son of God" will be released by Embassy Music to Christian radio as a Christmas single.

Ruben Mundo was took home top honors in the Artist category. Mundo won an artist development session, a professional photo shoot and a recording session with two-time Dove award-winning producer, Kene Bell. A carpenter by trade, Ruben is also a worship leader at Church on the Rock in San Diego, California. Last month, Mundo was one of three solo artists chosen in the "Best of the Blessed" competition. As a result, he was featured on the Christian Music Awards, hosted by Cece Winans and Brian Littrell, airing this fall on the Gospel Music Channel.

"I was really impressed with the level of talent we had at this event," said Darwin Moody, president of Embassy Music. "We heard some great songs and met some talented artists. I feel honored to play a small part in their careers."

Embassy Music specializes in discovering and developing new artists and songwriters. The Ultimate Talent Search has opened doors for artists and songwriters to connect with managers, booking agents, publishers, and radio promoters as well as recording contracts with labels such as Gotee, Virgin and Provident. For more information, visit the Embassy Music website.

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Artist/songwriter Shelly E. Johnson from Franklin, Tennesee (pictured: l to r John Mays, Centricity Music; Shelly E. Johnson; Chris Hamilton, Centricity Music; John W. Styll, president & CEO of GMA) and Jake Brothers from Indianapolis, Indiana, were among several aspiring artists and songwriters who were celebrated by music industry executives and leaders after winning multiple honors at the GMA Artist and Song of 2009 National Competition, part of the 2009 GMA Immerse conference.

The event, which was held in Nashville, was formerly known as GMA in the Rockies, and is regarded as Christian music's premier training experience and talent competition. This year's event drew more than 600 artists.

Shelly E. Johnson was named GMA's Artist Solo 2009 for contestants in the 13-24 age category, and the 24-year-old also received a recording development deal from Centricity Records. The independent label is home to artists including Downhere, Andrew Peterson, Circleslide (previous GMA winner), and Jaime Jamgochian. Johnson's deal with Centricity will include music and career advice and counsel, song consultation, demo recordings, and the potential for expansion into an exclusive recording or publishing contract.

Embassy Music has announced a deadline of August 7 for artists and songwriters to register for the 15th Annual Ultimate Talent Search competition. The event will be held September 5, 2009 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.

Over the years, Embassy Music's talent search has helped launch artists and songwriters in various musical genres.

The Embassy Music Ultimate Talent Search and Seminars is where worship artist Leeland was discovered when he was just 14. Through their artist development program, Embassy Music helped Leeland land a publishing deal with EMI and a record deal with the Provident Label Group. In addition to sharing the front cover of CCM Magazine with Michael W. Smith and helping write several of the songs on his Stand CD, Leeland toured with Third Day and completed a 36-city tour with Grammy Award-winning artist Casting Crowns. He went on to earn a Grammy nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Contemporary Gospel Album for his work on Opposite Way as well as numerous Dove Award nominations.

How fun is this? Brian Bates is hosting a "Happy Dance" contest to coincide with his new music video, "You Danced," now being played on national video shows and networks such as Gospel Music Channel, JCTV and Control Track.

The contest is open to anyone and the winners will receive a video camera, an IPod and a collection of Bates' cds/videos. Contestants are encouraged to videotape their own "Happy Dance" to the song "You Danced," upload it to YouTube and submit an entry form at Brian Bates' website.

You can win a trip to Houston to attend Israel Houghton's "Deeper Level" Worship Conference, September 9-12, 2009. The prize includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation and conference registration for the winner and one guest, as well as the winner's worship pastor and a guest.

Twenty five second place winners will receive autographed, behind-the-scenes photos from the video shoot of "Just Wanna Say," plus an autographed limited edition T-shirt. Thirty third place winners will receive Israel Houghton's CD "The Power of One."

All the details are in this video:

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