GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION RESHAPES FOR FUTURE; JOHN STYLL DEPARTS PRESIDENCY BUT REMAINS ACTIVE BOARD MEMBER

by Tricia Whitehead

Thursday, September 3, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sept. 3, 2009 - The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will undergo organizational changes to respond to the current economic recession, and the shifting shape of the gospel music industry, according to Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Music Group and the new chairman of the GMA Board of Directors.

"The GMA, like many other organizations and businesses, has taken hits during this prolonged downturn in our economy," Leonard said.  "It has forced the GMA Board to evaluate our association's current business model and to acknowledge that in order to meet current obligations and needs of our members, and to ensure GMA's vitality in the future; we needed to make some significant changes."

As the volunteer governing body of the GMA, the Board of Directors approved a plan to return the association to a more volunteer-driven operation with a scaled down staff that will facilitate and coordinate GMA events and programs.  The first step came in May when GMA eliminated several paid staff positions.  

The next step occurred this week when John Styll stepped down from his position as president and CEO of GMA which will allow the Board to substitute a managerial level professional to oversee staff at the GMA office.  The position has not yet been filled.  

"There is no way to adequately summarize John's contributions to GMA, not only in his professional capacity for the last six years, but in the many more years he has served on the GMA Board of Directors, and on which he will continue to serve as a permanent lifetime member.  His action of leaving his position for the benefit of the association tells the story better than my
words could," said Leonard.

"We're implementing a plan that I drafted and recommended to our GMA Board last week, and we all agree this is a fiscally responsible direction to go," said Styll.  "We've been tightening our belts for some time in this economy and now we're at a point where I think it's wise to take my own salary off the books. I remain a permanent board member of the GMA and look forward to continuing our work.  There's much to be positive about - the popularity of our music form, the dream of our future Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville - but we have to ride out this economic storm a while further."

The streamlining of GMA has been fueled by the economy as well as the changing profile of GMA's membership, the most important audience it serves and the association's principal source of income.  While record labels, radio stations, retailers and other traditional categories of members continue to support the GMA, an increasing percentage of GMA's membership is made up of independent artists, songwriters and musicians and other small music business professionals who are looking to GMA for community, networking and advocacy.   

In July, GMA held its first Immerse event, when more than 600 Christian artists, songwriters, worship leaders - and those that want to be someday - gathered at a four-day training experience and talent competition.  The event, held on the campus of Belmont University, offered unparalleled training, professional and personal feedback, one-of-a-kind concerts and a sense of community to uniquely equip creative Christians to impact culture through music both in and out of the church.  

Not only did Immerse exceed expectations in terms of registration numbers, but the event saw an outpouring of support as more than 150 volunteers stepped forward from every part of the industry.  The model of volunteer involvement from Immerse will be applied to future programming by GMA including 2010's Dove Awards and GMA Music Week.       

"GMA's mission has been and will continue to be to expose, promote and celebrate the Gospel through music.  We remain committed to equipping the association with the tools and resources required to do the job right.  We are grateful to all those who have partnered with us in the last 45 years and will continue to do so in the future as we fulfill a vital purpose," said Leonard.

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 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 Immerse.  GMA is also actively engaged in advocacy efforts with music organizations, Congress and other governmental agencies on issues like
copyright protections, digital rights and music piracy. For more information, please visit  www.gospelmusic.org