Pictured at the event at the Capitol (left to right): Gospel music advocate Carl Davis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Gospel Music Channel founder and president Charles Humbard, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), president/CEO of The Recording Academy® Neil Portnow, and Gospel Music Channel senior director of music development Alvin Williams.
September 2008 will be an exciting month for Gospel/Christian music lovers. In addition to the new music projects to be released, the United States Congress has passed H. Cong. Res. 370 (House of Representatives) & S. Res.595 (Senate) designates September 2008 as Gospel Music Heritage Month. The legislation passed will honor Gospel music for its valuable long-standing contribution to American culture. In deed, the genre of Gospel is a thread in the blanket of American History. Hymns and Spiritual songs such as "Amazing Grace" have been recorded by major American musical icons and sung by congregations all over the country. Gospel artists, Rance Allen, Kurt Carr, and newcomer, Spensha Baker, were among the select few invited to appear before President Bush during his special "Salute to Gospel Music" at The White House.
Gospel Music Channel television network joined with Senator Blanche L. Lincoln (D-Ark.), Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), and The Recording Academy® to launch the "Gospel Music Heritage Month" initiative. "Gospel Music is a cornerstone of the American musical tradition and has grown beyond its established audience to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance across the globe," said Lincoln. "My home state of Arkansas has a rich history in gospel music and I am proud to honor this tradition that has touched audiences around the world." The initiative was created by Gospel Music Channel, the country's first and only 24/7 television network devoted to all forms of Gospel/Christian music. The initiative was publicly unveiled at The Recording Academy's GRAMMY®s on the Hill event at the U.S. Capitol on June 18.
"This is the opportunity for the millions of gospel/Christian music fans to have
their own national month to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of their
music," said Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel. "We thank Senators Lincoln, Hutchison and Leahy, and Representatives Jackson-Lee and Bono Mack, for their efforts and The Recording Academy for its partnership. We
look forward to celebrating 'Gospel Music Heritage Month' in September."
Gospel Music Channel (GMC) is the nation’s first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV.
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