One of the Most Innovative Christian Music Colleges Joins Forces with One of the Planet’s Most Unique Christian Music Awards Programs to Celebrate the Most Transformative Music in the Universe
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (January 23, 2018) – In Spring 2012, the folks behind NewReleaseToday (NRT) –one of the largest Christian music and media sites online–started asking some “what if” questions. What if we started an awards show? What if we celebrated the best of a given calendar year? What if we had some unorthodox categories? What if the fans had a say in who took home the trophies?
The answer to those “what if” questions was the We Love Christian Music Awards, an awards show for the digital age that leads the way in making full use of the online tools available, including social media, digital video, online voting and more. Powered by the largest online community of Christian music enthusiasts, NewReleaseToday, it boasts a considerable fan base already accustomed to the digital frontier.
This year, Visible Music College, one of the most innovative bachelor degree-granting music colleges, has come aboard as the headline sponsor of the We Love Christian Music Awards.
Dr. Ken Steorts, President of Visible Music College, is thrilled to embrace the vast diversity of musical styles represented by the We Love Christian Music Awards. (John S. Miller photo)
“We decided to sponsor the We Love Christian Music Awards because we are an unashamedly Christian and modern music college,” explains Dr. Ken Steorts, president of Visible Music College and one of the original founding members of the award-winning, Double Platinum-selling Christian rock band Skillet. “While we teach and create and perform all styles of music in the church and mainstream music industry, we love Christians making music and we love the music they make! We love NewReleaseToday being the source for Christian music globally, and we work together to train and equip musicians to bring the gospel and good life message to people across all genres and cultures.”
Although there are a number of awards shows that honor Christian music, the We Love Christian Music Awards brings something different to the Christian music landscape, and it all begins with the fans, who have a voice in determining the winners. And the awards are as unique as the show. While there are the classic general categories like Group of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the Year, you’ll also see categories that are not typical–like EP of the Year, The Next Big Thing (Best Emerging Artist), and The BPM Award (Best Electronic/Dance Album of the Year).
This year’s award show will feature a record breaking 86 nominees in 24 categories, led by pop powerhouses Hollyn and Tauren Wells with five nods each. Both artists’ albums are contenders for The Hook Award (Pop Album of the Year), and Album of the Year. Perennial favorite MercyMe is nominated for Group of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Happy Dance”), The PopLITE Award (Best Pop Contemporary Album of the Year), and Song of the Year (“Even If”). Worship collectives Bethel Music and Iron Bell Music, pop/contemporary artists David Dunn and Matthew West, gospel newcomer Koryn Hawthorne and the newly independent Jamie Grace each received three nominations in what proves to be the We Love Christian Music Awards’ most diverse year to date.
“We’re so excited to have found a partner that is so invested in equipping and training the next generation of worship leaders, artists and music industry professionals,” says NewReleaseToday president Kevin McNeese. “Visible Music College is the perfect partner as we continue to showcase the full world of Christian music.”
“The team at NewReleaseToday have hit a nerve that needed touching–the multi-ethnic world of Christians making music for the church and the world,” notes Steorts. “Every genre and focus of Christians making music is represented in the We Love Christian Music Awards, and the global voting is a new reach for the music industry and for Christians making music.”
“We are proud to be high level sponsors of this show. We will promote the awards show, participate in the physical awards being given to artists at the show in Nashville, and support the efforts of promoting both young and seasoned artists getting together and gathering audiences globally,” says Steorts of Visible Music College’s involvement with the program. “We will also provide some very basic free educational materials for those who want to learn more about the music industry and Christians making music.”
Nominees in each category are determined by the editorial staff of NewReleaseToday, and winners are chosen by the fans. Voters will be entered to win a GoTrax Overboard personal transportation vehicle, as well as several other prizes. Voting for the 6th annual We Love Christian Music Awards closes on Friday, January 26, 2018. Winners will be announced during a two-hour live event from Full Circle Music’s recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee, on Tuesday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Scheduled to appear at the event are Matthew West, Francesca Battistelli, Citizen Way, Unspoken, Jamie Grace, Remedy Drive, Spencer Kane, The Youth Project, KB, As We Ascend, Alisa Turner, Corey Voss, Michael Farren, and more. Fans can watch the event live online at www.facebook.com/events/202241760356107/?ti=icl.
For more information or to cast your vote, visit www.WeLoveAwards.com. For more information about Visible Music College, visit www.visible.edu.
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