Gospel Music Association Week Wraps Up

Tom Jackson Productions just wrapped up their participation at the Gospel Music Association Week in Nashville, Tennessee. Running from Saturday, April 18 through Wednesday, April 22, this year’s event brought thousands of artists, agents, record companies, and other music professionals to participate in seminars, showcases, and networking.

Tom Jackson taught a unique Saturday night “Tell and Showcase” event for a room full of indie artists and industry folk. Beginning with some teaching time, Tom continued by bringing Christian rock band Rush of Fools to the stage. The 2007 ASCAP Song of the Year group performed several of their songs, which Tom Jackson then reworked, bringing out the “moments,” and creating an emotional connection with the audience.

Several indie artists in the room were then given the opportunity to showcase in front of an “American Idol” type panel of judges, which included Tom Jackson, president of Rhythm House Records Elliott Cunningham, and world artist Mary-Kathryn. The added twist to the critiques was Tom’s rearrangements of the songs and expert advice on visual fundamentals that improved each of the artists’ presentations.

Included in the five days of non-stop music at venues across Nashville was The Objective, an event sponsored by The eXtreme Tour. Tom taught an Objective workshop entitled “The 7 Deadly Sins of Artists,” and he moderated an industry panel. Then during an evening of showcases, Tom and two of his Live Music Producers, Amy Wolter and Lang Bliss, ‘wow’ed the crowd by doing a live music makeover with one of the participating bands, The J Walkers.