Music
Press
Aspiring artists and songwriters from across the country got the opportunity to perform and compete in front of industry professionals and their peers during the GMA Academy Artist & Song of 2007 National Competition, which was held last week during the 33rd Annual GMA Music in the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo. Besides the talent competitions, the annual event also featured six days of educational and professional development seminars and music concerts.
This year's competitions featured a total of 13 different Artist and Song categories, along with five Overall Grand Prize winners named for vocal solo, vocal group, band, instrumental and song. Click here for a complete list of winners. In addition, Walt Disney World, Compassion International, Indelible Creative Group and CCM Magazine awarded their own prizes.
"We heard a lot of talented artists and songwriters at this year's GMA Music in the Rockies," GMA President/CEO John W. Styll said. "We hope that this week has given them the tools and confidence to find their place in music, whether that be as a recording artist, songwriter or worship leader."
Rachel Hurt of Shepherdsville, Ky., was named the Artist Vocal Solo 2007 Grand Prize Winner. Hurt also won the Contemporary Christian Vocal II category. Sister duo Becca and Elissa Leander, who hail from Colorado Springs, Colo., and perform as The Sonflowerz, were named the Artist Vocal Group 2007 Grand Prize Winner.
Hollow, a rock band originating from Oklahoma City, Okla., was named the Artist Band 2007 Grand Prize Winner and also won the Band category. In addition, band member Alana Warfel's "Remedy" was the runner-up in the Pop-Rock/Alternative Song category. Steve Merrick a pianist from Clairmont, Calif., was named Artist Instrumental 2007 Grand Prize Winner and also won the Instrumental Solo/Ensemble category.
Rounding out the Grand Prize winners was Steven and Amanda Potaczek from Indianapolis, whose "How Big Small Can Be" was named the Song of 2007 Grand Prize Winner. The song by the husband-wife team, who also are members of a group called 1000 Generations, also was named the winner in the Pop-Adult Contemporary/Inspirational Song category.
In addition to her prizes awarded to her by the GMA, Hurt also was selected for prizes awarded by Walt Disney World, Indelible Creative Group and CCM Magazine. Hurt was selected by executives from Walt Disney World to be the recipient of Disney's "Night of Joy" Best of Show Award, which entitles her the opportunity to perform during September's Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Hurt will perform as part of the Sept. 8 line up, which also includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Flyleaf, Kutless, Mary Mary, newsboys, Smokie Norful, Red, Salvador and Mark Schultz. Click here for more information on Disney's Night of Joy.
- Management
Aspiring artists and songwriters from across the country got the opportunity to perform and compete in front of industry professionals and their peers during the GMA Academy Artist & Song of 2007 National Competition, which was held last week during the 33rd Annual GMA Music in the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo. Besides the talent competitions, the annual event also featured six days of educational and professional development seminars and music concerts.
This year's competitions featured a total of 13 different Artist and Song categories, along with five Overall Grand Prize winners named for vocal solo, vocal group, band, instrumental and song. Click here for a complete list of winners. In addition, Walt Disney World, Compassion International, Indelible Creative Group and CCM Magazine awarded their own prizes.
"We heard a lot of talented artists and songwriters at this year's GMA Music in the Rockies," GMA President/CEO John W. Styll said. "We hope that this week has given them the tools and confidence to find their place in music, whether that be as a recording artist, songwriter or worship leader."
Rachel Hurt of Shepherdsville, Ky., was named the Artist Vocal Solo 2007 Grand Prize Winner. Hurt also won the Contemporary Christian Vocal II category. Sister duo Becca and Elissa Leander, who hail from Colorado Springs, Colo., and perform as The Sonflowerz, were named the Artist Vocal Group 2007 Grand Prize Winner.
Hollow, a rock band originating from Oklahoma City, Okla., was named the Artist Band 2007 Grand Prize Winner and also won the Band category. In addition, band member Alana Warfel's "Remedy" was the runner-up in the Pop-Rock/Alternative Song category. Steve Merrick a pianist from Clairmont, Calif., was named Artist Instrumental 2007 Grand Prize Winner and also won the Instrumental Solo/Ensemble category.
Rounding out the Grand Prize winners was Steven and Amanda Potaczek from Indianapolis, whose "How Big Small Can Be" was named the Song of 2007 Grand Prize Winner. The song by the husband-wife team, who also are members of a group called 1000 Generations, also was named the winner in the Pop-Adult Contemporary/Inspirational Song category.
In addition to her prizes awarded to her by the GMA, Hurt also was selected for prizes awarded by Walt Disney World, Indelible Creative Group and CCM Magazine. Hurt was selected by executives from Walt Disney World to be the recipient of Disney's "Night of Joy" Best of Show Award, which entitles her the opportunity to perform during September's Night of Joy at the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Hurt will perform as part of the Sept. 8 line up, which also includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Flyleaf, Kutless, Mary Mary, newsboys, Smokie Norful, Red, Salvador and Mark Schultz. Click here for more information on Disney's Night of Joy.
- Management
GMA ACADEMY NATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER RACHAEL HURT PERFORMS DURING "NIGHT OF JOY" AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Disney also announces annual Christian music concert showcase moving from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008
Rachael Hurt (above, second from left) took the stage at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café on Sept. 8 as part of the evening's line up for "Night of Joy" at Walt Disney World. Hurt, who was named the recipient of Disney's "Night of Joy" Best of Show Award when she performed during the 33rd Annual GMA Music in the Rockies, received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of performing at Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park as part of the annual Christian music showcase.
Hurt shared the spotlight that evening with Steven Curtis Chapman, Flyleaf, Kutless, Mary Mary, newsboys, Smokie Norful, Red, Salvador and Mark Schultz. Pictured above with Hurt are Brad Ross, Talent Booking Director, Disney Entertainment; Joy Fletcher, GMA Vice President; and John Horton, Marketing and New Business Development, Disney Youth Group Programs.
This year's Night of Joy, which played to sold out crowds both nights, marked the event's 25th year. Disney is already making plans for next year's Night of Joy, which will be held Sept. 5-6, 2008 in a new location. For the first time, Night of Joy will not be held at the Magic Kingdom, but instead is being moved to Disney's Hollywood Studios (currently known as Disney-MGM Studios). Disney also announced that BarlowGirl, Mandisa, MercyMe, Rush of Fools, Aaron Shust, TobyMac and Chris Tomlin have already been confirmed for next year's Night of Joy...>
- Managment
GMA ACADEMY NATIONAL COMPETITION WINNER RACHAEL HURT PERFORMS DURING "NIGHT OF JOY" AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Disney also announces annual Christian music concert showcase moving from Magic Kingdom to Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2008
Rachael Hurt (above, second from left) took the stage at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café on Sept. 8 as part of the evening's line up for "Night of Joy" at Walt Disney World. Hurt, who was named the recipient of Disney's "Night of Joy" Best of Show Award when she performed during the 33rd Annual GMA Music in the Rockies, received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of performing at Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park as part of the annual Christian music showcase.
Hurt shared the spotlight that evening with Steven Curtis Chapman, Flyleaf, Kutless, Mary Mary, newsboys, Smokie Norful, Red, Salvador and Mark Schultz. Pictured above with Hurt are Brad Ross, Talent Booking Director, Disney Entertainment; Joy Fletcher, GMA Vice President; and John Horton, Marketing and New Business Development, Disney Youth Group Programs.
This year's Night of Joy, which played to sold out crowds both nights, marked the event's 25th year. Disney is already making plans for next year's Night of Joy, which will be held Sept. 5-6, 2008 in a new location. For the first time, Night of Joy will not be held at the Magic Kingdom, but instead is being moved to Disney's Hollywood Studios (currently known as Disney-MGM Studios). Disney also announced that BarlowGirl, Mandisa, MercyMe, Rush of Fools, Aaron Shust, TobyMac and Chris Tomlin have already been confirmed for next year's Night of Joy...>
- Managment
Discography
Aware (Single 2007)
Rachael Hurt (Album 2008 April)
Photos
Bio
Rachael Hurt is an independent artist who got her start in the music industry at the tender age of twelve. With a birthday gift from her mom, Rachael recorded Her first single in a small studio tucked behind a guitar store in Louisville, Kentucky. With that first recording Rachael knew that this was her path in life. Rachaels love of people, music and most of all Christ drives her daily to share the truth of Christ with everyone She meets. The Kentucky Native moved to Nashville just 6 months ago and have been met with high expectation. Having won Best of Show at this years GMA Music in the Rockies event and performed beside artists like David Crowder Band, Kutless, Mary Mary, and Leeland at this years Night of Joy at Walt Disney Studios, Rachael is beginning to build a platform that far exceeds the size she would have ever dreamed. " I am just so excited that the Lord has seen fit to give me the opportunity to speak and sing of His glory with a ever growing number of people."
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