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UK Gospel will get its biggest boost yet when the President of the world’s biggest gospel label flies in from the USA to attend the third annual industry event – the Gospel Grand Summit – being held in Birmingham from the 17th to the 18th November 2006.
Max Siegel –President of Verity Records and Senior Vice President of the Zomba Record Label Group – is behind successful US artists such as R Kelly, Usher and Britney Spears. He leads the multi platinum selling stable of gospel stars like Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, and Donnie McClurkin. This is the first time that such a high-profile record executive has been part of an event for this genre in the UK.
He will be among a number of key music industry figures who will be watching the performances of established and new talent from the UK scene. Others include Jonathan Budgen, Managing Director of Integrity Music Europe, the biggest distributor of Christian Music in Europe. Representatives from EMI, Universal and Sony BMG are expected to attend as they have all recently signed UK Gospel acts to their specialist labels.
One of the most exciting developments which may give gospel its long-awaited mass exposure is a preview of media company JH2 Media’s 2Tones mobile download platform, where the end user can access audio visual footage such as gospel music videos, ring tones, interviews and concert footage. Attending delegates and media will get the chance to hear samples of the tracks and see some of the artistes promoted under the gospel pseudonym of ‘new music’ and ‘urban inspirational sounds’. R&B and dancehall artistes will mingle with the traditional robe-swinging choirs and accapella groups normally associated with gospel music.
Gospel Grand Summit founder Juliet Fletcher says, “We believe this to be the most significant Summit yet. Everybody is serious about being in business. Confidence is at an all time high with independent producers and artistes. People are beginning to make good music at a high standard, so it’s good that they (the record companies and media) are coming to meet, see and talk.
In further support of the new rise in media exposure, specialist gospel music channel music TV, which goes out on the same Sky number range as MTV, will be at the Summit promoting their brand as the No.1 TV platform for all forms of gospel music.
Nearly 30 artistes are expected to perform during the two-day event. They include Nu Life (recent winners of the MOBO Award for Gospel music); previous MOBO & UMA winners Raymond & Co, MOBO nominee Noel Robinson; and Muyiwa - who, as well as being a popular singer, is also a presenter on Premier Christian Radio. More information about the event and who will be performing can be found on the website www.gospelgrandsummit.com.
Since its inception in London in 2003, The Gospel Grand Summit moves to a different city each year. Birmingham – this year’s host city – is acknowledged as the largest city outside of London for Gospel music. The event will be held at South Birmingham College, a new 17 million (pounds) specialist performing arts and digital media centre. It will be preceded by a seven-city promotional tour, starting with a VIP reception in Birmingham on Saturday 21st October, and going on through Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham Leeds and London