Recently in Christian music industry Category

CCM Magazine, which ceased print publication last year, has announced that it's relaunching the magazine in digital format. According to a press release, each issue of CCM will focus on new Christian music set to release during the quarter of publication.

CCM recently released the summer new release guide, featuring Leeland, Thousand
Foot Krutch, BarlowGirl and Hawk Nelson, as well as two special sections--a Worship Guide and an Indie Guide. CCM is also partnering with Premier Christian Cruises to present The Music Boat 2010 contest. One winning CCM reader and a friend will get a free trip on The Music Boat 2010.

You can receive a free issue of the summer new release guide, complete with video and other bells and whistles, by visiting the website.

Personally, I'm not sure how a digital magazine is different from a website, other than the fact that the print is miniscule. Then again, I'm not a fan of ebooks or anything I have to read digitally so I'm probably not a good guide of whether or not a digital magazine is a good idea.

So go check it out and let me know what you think!

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Yesterday on his radio show, host Glenn Beck talked about Michael Jackson and his ownership of the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog of songs.

Most people know that in 1984 Michael Jackson bought the rights to the Beatles' songs, but Beck was making the point that most people don't know that the reason the Beatles sold the rights to their songs to begin with was because they were losing 90% of their income to taxes. He likens the Beatles problem with taxes to our problems today.

I'm leaving in the morning for Gospel Music Week in Nashville, the week when Christian music artists, hopefuls, media and industry folks all get together for a week of showcases, interviews and networking. The week will culminate in the Dove Awards on Thursday, April 23.

While I'm gone, I'll be updating periodically throughout the week. I'll be attending media events with Tooth and Nail, Centricity Records and about two dozen interviews. (See the list of artists) I'm also meeting with a friend, who gets together with some other folks in the media every year to decide on the year's worst in Christian music. I'll definitely update you on that!

On Monday, filmmaker Dan Millican will be my guest blogger; he'll be talking about God, creativity, and cheesy christian movies. You won't want to miss it.

Check in during the week for GMA updates. I won't be attending the Dove Awards, but if you're going let me know. You can give us the update! (I don't have cable so I can't even watch it on TV.)

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The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced the finalists for the 2009 GMA/Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) Radio Station of the Year.

The radio station awards are designed to publicly acknowledge those Christian radio stations that meet the highest standards of quality and have the strongest impact on their listening areas. Awards are given to major, large, medium and small market stations. The winners in each market category are determined by a panel of judges who review the following areas - community involvement, ratings, air-check and industry leadership:

Have you ever wished you could ask your favorite Christian music artist a question?

Gospel Music Week doesn't happen until April, but I'm already gearing up for the event, which brings together artists, media and industry professionals for a week of showcases, interviews and other fun stuff, all in the heart of Nashville.

I've attended for quite a few years and thought I'd try something fun this year: letting YOU be the interviewer! Between now and April 18th, when I leave, I'll keep a running list of the artists that I have time scheduled with, and I want you to leave your questions in the comments section. Be sure to leave your first name, because I may video tape the responses so the artist can address you personally.

Even if you don't see your favorite artist listed, still leave a general question. Not only am I still booking interviews, I'm attending some events where there are a lot of artists hanging out and mingling. So while I may not have a specific interview time with, say Hawk Nelson or Jeremy Camp, I'll be having lunch with them.

Some of these artists are up-and-coming, some are veterans. (Haven't heard, for example, if my interview request with Third Day is going to be accepted.) So take some time to check out the unfamiliar names - they may be the "next big thing."

The week culminates in the Dove Awards; I won't be attending this year. To be honest, media sits in the press room and while we get to see winners and presenters after they've appeared we don't get to see the show. This year, I need to be home the next day so I'm skipping the event. But you can watch the event live, for the first time I think, on the Gospel Music Channel. (Usually, you have to wait to see it in syndication.)

Interviews scheduled so far include (list is constantly be updated as artists become available for interviews):