The GMA Academy Regional Talent Competition and Seminar will be held in Music City in Feb. 10-11, 2006, open to anyone interested in a career in gospel music.

Running under the theme “Your Place for Discovery,” the two-day event will be held in downtown Nashville, where aspiring artists, songwriters, musicians, worship leaders and others will participate in the gospel music industry’s leading educational seminar and its most influential talent competition.

Hosted by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) the event will truly be the place for “discovery”

“Discovery is the perfect description of our GMA Academy event,” said GMA President John W. Styll in a publicly released announcement last month. “Because not only does our talent competition endeavor to discover the next generation of gospel music artists and songwriters, but anyone who participates in the educational seminars, particularly aspiring and independent artists and songwriters, will have the chance to discover their personal roadmap for a music or ministry career.”

This year’s event speakers include acclaimed Christian recording artists Anthony Evans, Joy Williams, and Michael Card.

The GMA Academy Music City regional event will be held at First Baptist Church in downtown Nashville beginning on Friday, Feb. 10 for two days of intensive training with specific tracks for songwriters and performers. Among the highlights of the Academy are the seminars (taught by music industry professionals and successful independent artists), feedback sessions (with qualified professionals), GMA’s official talent competition for unsigned artists and songwriters, and networking.

GMA’s official talent competition, one of the main attractions of the GMA Academy, happens during the weekend event. Winners of the Artist 2006 and Song of 2006 will be chosen from submitted entries in various genres and categories with finalists chosen to perform at a closing night concert at the Academy. Regional winners from the competition will be chosen to advance to the semifinal round of the National Artist and Song of 2006 Competition held in Estes Park, Colorado in August 2006.

Artists who have performed and/or competed at past GMA Academy events including Stacie Orrico, Matthew West, Casting Crowns, BarlowGirl, Point of Grace, Michael W. Smith, David Phelps, Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, MercyMe’s Bart Millard and Nichole Nordeman.