PRESS RELEASE
In celebration of the spiritual voices and resurgence of the gospel sound emanating from Atlanta’s choirs, music directors and radio personalities, Positive Publications Inc. publishers of the Atlanta News Leader, Atlanta Business Journal and Weddings For Us Bridal Magazine produced the 1st annual Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards show in July 1994. This black tie event was conceived as a means of showcasing and awarding the best in gospel talent in Metropolitan Atlanta and the state of Georgia.
Lexus of South Atlanta will once again as title sponsor present the 14th annual version of the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards to be held at the Georgia World Congress Center on Monday, September 29, 2008. Red Carpet starts at 5pm, the State Farm VIP “Chosen Ten Pastors” reception starts at 6pm. Dinner is at 7pm and awards ceremony begins at 8:00pm.
There are eight categories contested: Best in Holy Hip Hop, Best Male Artist, Best Female Artist, Best New Artist, Best Duo/Group, Best Youth Choir, Best Choir and Director and Song of the Year. A new category Gospel Choice/Pepsi Community Outreach Award will be presented to Church of the Year along with $5,000.
Gospel songbird Dottie Peoples will host and the lifetime achievement award recipient is Larry Tinsley with the Thomas A. Dorsey Award being presented to gospel powerhouse Dorothy Norwood. Some of the entertainers include Regina Belle, Canton Jones, Candi Staton, VaShawn Mitchell, Debi Dixon, James Jackson and Atlanta Praise and Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church Mass Choir.
This year the Atlanta Gospel Choice Awards will introduce a newsletter version called the Gospel Express spearhead by Ralph Davis, media coordinator of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Atlanta Chapter. The new online newsletter the Gospel Express will have access to four hundred (400) pastors and over thirty-eight thousand church members and gospel artists.
VOTING
On-line voting at www.thegospelchoiceawards.com for the Nominated Artists begins on August 24, 2008 at 12 am and ends on September 13th, 2008 at 11:59 pm.
You can visit your nearest Kroger beginning on August 24th, 2008 and participate in the drop voting process at Pepsi displays. If you do so, you automatically enter and have the opportunity to win a 4 day 3 night hotel stay in the Bahamas courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
NOMINATED ARTIST
Local radio personalities and music connoisseurs from around Atlanta were asked to submit prospective nominees and from this the three members Blue Ribbon Panel comprised the 2008 Atlanta Gospel Choice Nominees.
BEST MALE ARTIST / BEST FEMALE ARTIST1. Ted Wynn / 1. Monica Lisa Stephenson
2. Bishop J. D. Means / 2. Regina Belle
3. Darwin Hobbs / 3. Debi Dixon
4. Kendall Hunter / 4. Damita Haddon
5. Contrell Jones / 5. Dottie Peoples
6. VaShawn Mitchell / 6. Myrna Clayton
7. Deitrick Haddon / 7. Marlo Moore
8. Byron Cage / 8. Wanda Trent-Phillips
BEST NEW ARTIST / BEST IN HOLY HIP HOP
1. Minister Terrence Cotton / 1. Canton Jones
2. Min. Nicholas Stroud and These are They / 2. Messenja
3. Sonya McGuire & Friends / 3. Sanctified Souljahs
4. Eumika Body-Griffin / 4. Platinum Souls
5. Christopher Lewis / 5. Erica Cumbo
6. Darlene McCoy / 6. G42
7. T. Lyn Smith / 7. Nova 4 Jehovah
8. Deitrick Haddon
BEST DUO/GROUP / BEST YOUTH CHOIR
1. V3 / 1. Adoration
2. Alton Parks and Rapture / 2. Min. Stephen Wilheit GMWA – Youth and Young Adult Choir
3. Greg Kirkland & Generation of Praise / 3. Min. Jarris Shaw & the Praise Breakers
4. Mary Pollard & The Rose of Sharon / 4. Highpoint Christian Tabernacle Youth Choir
5. Batiste / 5. Min. Courtney Jones and Proclamation
6. James Jackson & Atlanta Praise / 6. New Birth Youth Choir
7. Cecil Thornton & Transparent
BEST CHOIR & DIRECTOR / SONG OF THE YEAR
1. Ricky Dillard and the Levites of Hope Cathedral COGIC / 1. My Day – Canton Jones
2. Min. James Jackson and Atlanta Praise / 2. He’s Able – Darwin Hobbs & Deitrick Haddon
3. Min. Anthony Randolph and New Birth Total Praise Choir / 3. It’s Already Mine – Bishop J.D. Means
4. Min. Nicholas Stroud and These are They / 4. Do It – Dottie Peoples
5. Min. Kevin Lemons and Higher Calling / 5. God is Good – Regina Belle
6. Min. James Pullin and Remnant / 6. Rain on Us – Sha Simpson
7. Springfield Baptist Church Mass Choir – Conyers
8. Luther Washington II and Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church Mass Choir
9. Word of Faith Cathedral Mass Choir
10. VaShawn Mitchell & New Birth South Mass Choir
TICKETS
Ø General Admission $100
Ø VIP $175. (Patrons who possess VIP tickets participate in the RED CARPET and the STATE FARM CHOSEN TEN PASTORS Reception.)
Tickets can be purchased online at www.thegospelchoiceawards.com or at:
Berean Christian Book Store
441 Cleveland Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30315
404 767 7514
Ask for Gayle
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ADVERTISE PROGRAM BOOKLET
Opportunity also exists for your church to have a presence congratulating or just advertising in the event program book. We encourage advertisers to purchase an ad in the program book.
Full Page 4-color ad $1,800
Half Page 4-color ad $1,200
Full Page Black & White ad $1,500
Half Page Black & White ad $ 500
Note: All ads should be camera ready and submitted no latter than September 10, 2008.
The following Pastors and their wives are being honored for their contributions to Ministry and their respective communities. You too can join in congratulating them by attending the R.S.V.P. invitation only Lexus reception on September 25, 2008.
CHOSEN TEN PASTORS 2008
Pastor Eric Wendell Lee Springfield Baptist Church
Senior Pastor Alvin Freeman Maranatha Seven Day Adventist Church
Senior Pastor Robert C. Moore New Birth North
Elder Wendy Y. Smith Greater Victory Christian Center
Bishop Jerry F. Hutchins Timothy Baptist Church
Pastor Anthony Murray Oasis Family Life Church
Rev. Dr. Howard Crecy, Jr. The Olivet Church
Pastor John S. Battle New Shield of Faith Ministries
Bishop Jeff Poole New Hope International
Pastor Mitzi Bickers Emmanuel Baptist Church
4405 Mall Blvd., Suite 521 ¨Union City, GA 30291 ¨P: 770-969-7711¨ F: 770-969-7811