Music & Arts Love Fellowship Conference

The Urban Gospel Industry Awards and Conference is a 5-day conference & red-carpet award show, musical showcase and conference in Oakland, CA. The conference, an integral part of the 26th annual Edwin & Walter Hawkins Music & Arts Love Fellowship Conference, will be held at the Love Center Ministries, Inc., 10440 International Blvd. in Oakland, June 24 – 30, 2007. The event is set to take previous Gospel hip-hop conferences to the next level with late night artist showcases that include spoken word, Christian jazz, and comedy. The Urban Gospel Alliance (UGA) event was created to allow emerging urban gospel artists the opportunity to meet with other gospel industry professionals.



The nightly showcase sessions are held in 2 areas and showcases include New Artist Showcases, a Hip Hop Showcase, and late night Spoken Word, Jazz and Comedy Showcases. There are a total of 40 artist performances throughout the conference. Showcases will be open to the public and will be attended by invited label representatives and other industry personnel. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. All styles of gospel music are accepted.



Daily sessions will include the following: Keeping Ministry in the Music; Keeping Business in the Ministry; and Holy vs. Inspirational-How Far Is Too Far? These sessions will cover topics including: Ministry in Urban Gospel; The Importance of Radio; The Role of Music Videos; Record Business; Running Live Sound; Importance of Press; The Role of a DJ; Marketing; Booking, Press Kits, & Public Relations; Stage Presence; Management and much more.



There is also a compilation CD to coincide with the festival. If artists choose to participate in the compilation, there is a $200 fee included for this optional project.



The Urban Gospel Alliance (UGA) is a member-driven organization that serves as a source of empowerment and support for its members. Members have access to many free promotional and other benefits including a free booking referral service and email promotion to over 34,000 people. UGA's focus is on the urban gospel music and alternative Christian entertainment. It serves as a forum and platform for all facets of urban gospel music; contemporary gospel, holy hip hop, inspirational, gospel jazz, neo-soul, and reggae, but also supports the ministries of Christian comedians and spoken word artists.



Please note: This opportunity requires all ‘selected’ artists to pay an extra fee of $125 directly to the promoter in order to participate.”



The Urban Gospel Industry Awards will feature some of the brightest acts in urban gospel as selected by the general public. Last year's show was hosted by Natalie Wilson with comedian McClinton Neal and included UK super group SIANI; Reggae Dancehall winner Sherwin Gardner; Contemporary New Artist Female winner Shei Atkins; Jazz winner Kim Jordon and many more. Attendees included Donald Lawrence, Richard Smallwood and many more.