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It started with whispers last week that the board of the Gospel Music Association might be closing its doors. Just whispers, that is, until someone with inside knowledge tweeted that GMA was considering closing its doors and asked if this was the end of Christian music.

Immediately, the internet lit up like a Christmas tree with speculation about everything from the GMA's financial problems to lawsuits from former GMA staffers to the total demise of the organization.

No one in GMA will confirm the rumors on the record, although sources close to GMA tell me that indeed there was a board meeting scheduled to vote on whether or not to close the doors on the organization.

But when it became public, GMA apparently decided to rethink that option. (More than one person used the word "backpeddling.") Officially, the organization is continuing forward and considering ways to best serve its membership, and there's no reason not to believe that's true.

Whether the rumors were true or not, GMA still has to deal with several problems:

If you weren't able to attend the $1,000 a ticket concert to "Save The GMA", you can still help the GMA in its last ditch fundraising efforts.

The GMA is holding an online auction offering one-of-a-kind memorabilia, autographed CDs and promotional items along with unique VIP experiences from top Christian artists, including:

"Christmas Coffee" with Amy Grant and "In the Studio" with Michael W. Smith experiences
A MercyMe autographed Epiphone guitar
Dolly Parton-Autographed Book, CD, and more
DeGarmo & Key-Autographed Keyboard
Aaron Rogers, Green Bay Packers Quarterback-Autographed Football
Decyfer Down-and Disciple-Autographed Skate Decks
Karen Kingsbury-"Forever In Fiction"
Michael W. Smith-Autographed "Healing Rain" Gold Certified Plaque

The priciest auction item come from Karen Kingsbury, For a mere $2,500 you can name a character in an upcoming novel written by New York Times Bestselling author Karen Kingsbury. Use your own name or the name of a loved one. No bidders yet.

But eight people have already bid to have coffee with Amy Grant (and get an autographed book, signed handwritten lyrics to "Tennesee Christmas" and a ornamet), for $825.

In addition to pricey items, like a chance to record with Michael W. Smith (3 hours for you and a guest; winner is responsible for travel, lodging and any costs involved related to this experience), you can spend as little as $20 for an autographed CD.

(PS: as I lay awake in bed last night, I got to thinking: the auction items seem woefully out of touch with Christian music fans. At least in my opinion. Want to get some bids? Do an in-studio with Skillet or Flyleaf or something. Have a Christmas coffee with Todd Agnew or Jeremy Camp. Lunch with Kris Allen or Danny Gokey. Give away some newer signed CDs; why The Afters' first CD?)

Don't wait. There are time limits for all of the items. For more information, visit the CMT Auctions for the GMA auction.

RELATED POSTS:
Gospel Music Association rumors and problems; where does GMA go from here?
Is the Gospel Music Association shutting its doors?
Big Changes at Gospel Music Association

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Since I'm in NY, I wasn't able to attend last night's show at Rocketown with The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust, Skeletonwitch and Trap Them. And Keith didn't make the show either. (That is a bummer; I was looking for a recap of the show.)

One thing I'd like to say is that I feel badly that the discussion about Rocketown veered so far off base and turned into an Us vs Them finger pointing tirade.

I think it's appropriate, on a Christian music blog, to talk about a Christian ministry booking bands with a clear anti-Christian message and discuss where we cross the line when we reach out in ministry. I think most folks who know anything about Rocketown would agree that there is ministry that takes place there, that it's a great, encouraging, safe place for kids - and if you didn't know that you heard stories from the kids themselves.

At the same time, there are some of us were like ... what? Those bands at Rocketown? And wanted to know more about why they'd book them.

I did try to contact Rocketown as well as one of the bands. But to no avail.

So I'll ask you: tell me about the show last night at Rocketown. If you're in the band, how was the experience? Did you mind playing at a club with a mission to share Christ's love? If you're a fan, did the chatter on this blog influence your decision to go or not go? Was it what you expected?

Since I couldn't be there, it's up to you, my friends, to give me the report!

RELATED POSTS:
The Rocketown controversy gets spotlight by News 2 in Nashville
Christian club Rocketown plays host to night of 'satanic' rock
Rocketown and secular bands: some thoughts from the other side of the issue
VIDEO: Rocketown's 2009 fundraising campaign

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Generally, I try to avoid rumors, but I got a news tip this morning that the Gospel Music Association may have voted to disband, shut the doors or otherwise call it a day.

The news - or rumor, depending on where you stand - has been spreading like wildfire on Facebook and email and other Christian music networking venues.

Given the fundraiser that GMA held a few weeks ago, it might seem plausible, at first glance. But rather than speculate, I picked up the phone and called GMA.

Here's the deal: I spoke with someone at the GMA offices who told me that GMA is not closing its doors. And she told me that came right from the Chairman of the Board this morning.

GMA, like every other responsible Christian ministry, is seeking ways to use its resources wisely to better serve GMA membership and Christian music in 2010 and beyond. Any changes or additional news will be forthcoming.

So for now, let's let the GMA rumor mill be still for a bit, and let GMA fill us in as they move forward.

RELATED POSTS:
Gospel Music Association rumors and problems; where does GMA go from here?
GMA offering online auction of autographed memorabilia to raise funds
Big Changes at Gospel Music Association

Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

If you've been following the discussion the past week or so about Club Rocketown, you know that we've been involved in some heated debates about the club's decision to book a slate of Satanic bands on October 27.

I got a call earlier this week from News 2 in Nashville wanting to do a story about the controversy, and who better to share the Christian point of view? Music exec and founder of Indieheaven, Keith Mohr, who first brought the story to my attention. Here in this news video, you'll get to hear not just Keith but ReGina Newkirk, executive director for Rocketown:

So does this answer any of your questions? Can a Christian ministry book a band that boasts of the line up that they've "forged this alliance in the name of Satan" so they can reach kids for Jesus? Or is this all just Christians going overboard?

READ THESE RELATED POSTS FOR MORE ON THIS STORY:
Rocketown's Black Dahlia Murder Show: give me your recaps of the show!
Christian club Rocketown plays host to night of 'satanic' rock
Rocketown and secular bands: some thoughts from the other side of the issue
VIDEO: Rocketown's 2009 fundraising campaign

Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter!