Tickets Now On Sale to Public for GMA'S IMMERSE Concert Series featuring Pillar, Phil Stacey, Aaron Shust, Chris Sligh, Leeland and more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 16, 2009 – Pillar, Aaron Shust, Leeland, Krystal Meyers, KJ-52 and American Idol finalists Chris Sligh and Phil Stacey are among the Dove and GRAMMY-award winning artists who will perform as part of a concert series open to the public during GMA IMMERSE July 29 – August 2 in Nashville.

The concerts will be held each night, Wednesday through Saturday, July 29 through August 1, at the Massey Performing Arts Center on the campus of Belmont University at 7:00 p.m. with the final August 2nd Sunday morning worship event starting at 9:00 a.m.

Tickets for the complete 5-day concerts series or for individual nightly shows are now on sale at www.experienceimmerse.com or by calling the GMA office at 615-277-1376. The series tickets are $60 in advance and individual concert tickets may be purchased for $15 each.

The GMA IMMERSE concert series includes all styles of gospel music.

WEDNESDAY, July 29
Sponsored by Compassion International
Pillar
KJ-52
Phil Stacey
Satellites & Sirens

THURSDAY, July 30
Hosted by Michael W. Smith
Leeland
Krystal Meyers
Tall Tree (Hearitfirst.com Competition Winner)

FRIDAY, July 31
Aaron Shust
Ian Eskelin
Brian White
Don Koch
Presentation of Song of 2009 Awards

SATURDAY, August 1
Co-Hosted by Chris Sligh and Harry Chapman. Performance by Chris Sligh
GMA Talent Competition Artist 2009 National Finals

SUNDAY, August 2
Morning Worship
Evan Milby
Speaker: Susan Isaacs (actor, comedienne and author of Angry Conversations with God)

About GMA’S IMMERSE
Christian artists, songwriters, worship leaders, music business professionals– and those that want to be someday – will gather at IMMERSE, a four-day event during which registrants will train with the industry’s most influential professionals, leading artists and songwriters, connect with top music insiders and others who share a passion for God and music; compete in Christian music’s official talent competition and enjoy exclusive music opportunities that only Nashville can offer, including the valuable prize packages.

In addition to excellent networking opportunities, concerts and other offerings, IMMERSE will provide registrants with first-rate classes taught by professionals in the fields of artist management, marketing, radio promotion, music publishing, publicity and more. Teachers and panelists include Laurie Anderson (True Artist Management), Lesley Burbridge Bates (Rogers & Cowan), Mark Funderburg (Word Entertainment), Jeff Gregg (Creative Artists Agency), John Mullins (SESAC), Brad O’Donnell (EMI CMG), Mitchell Solarek (Maximum Artist Group), Nina Williams (Provident Music Group), Jody Williams (BMI) and Holly Zabka (Essential Music Publishing).

IMMERSE offers participants unparalleled access to some of Christian music’s top and rising artists and songwriters who will not only perform at IMMERSE, but also teach, mentor and create with registrants. In addition to the artists performing at the concert series, additional artists confirmed to participate in the 5-day training event include Michael W. Smith, Natalie Grant, Martha Munizzi, Travis Cottrell, Kirk Franklin and Joy Williams. More artists will be confirmed up until the start of IMMERSE!

For more information, visit www.experienceimmerse.com or connect to IMMERSE on Facebook and Twitter.

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of more than 3,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.