The Winners - Australian Gospel Music Awards CD Released

The long awaited CD The Winners ! Australian Gospel Music Awards" was launched at AGMF05, Toowoomba over the Easter weekend. Profiling 16 of the 22 award winners from 2004, the compilation issued by Hardrush Music sets a benchmark for the Australian Christian Music Industry.

(PRWEB) April 1, 2005 -- The long awaited CD The Winners ! Australian Gospel Music Awards" was launched at AGMF05, Toowoomba over the Easter weekend. Profiling 16 of the 22 award winners from 2004, the compilation issued by Hardrush Music sets a benchmark for the Australian Christian Music Industry.

Every year in Canberra the Australian Gospel Music Awards are presented to recognise the quality and diversity of this wonderful music industry sector. In 2004 the 'Angels' were presented to winners at the National Gallery of Australia.    For the first time all song writing genre categories were awarded, as were the industry performance status categories and the coveted Golden Gospel Award.    

Review:
The opening track is from the Golden Gospel Award winner Sister Janet Mead. As the first Australian to sell millions of records with her version of the Lord's Prayer she set high standard not exceeded to date. She was also the driving force in Australia's initial rock church services and an influence on countless numbers of musicians and aspiring youth performers throughout the 70s and 80s. What all seem standard now, was revolutionary in her time and she pushed the status quo to new boundaries. The brilliant track "The Lord Our God Is King" is perhaps the first praise and worship song recorded with full choir, orchestra backing - a feat produced by Martin Erdman at Festival Studios. This song could have been the follow-up to her worldwide hit, but was not released at the time. Listen to the build up and see that it is as fresh as ever.

The song "How Great You Are" written by Glen Spencer (NSW) and performed by Pneumusic won the Best Gospel Song Gold Award 2004. With a strong driving beat and anthem qualities it has great commercial appeal, yet a huge message.

"Give It All Up" won Best Pop Gospel Song 2004 for the songwriter Trina McDougall (QLD) and had Sony Music mastering personnel commenting on how strong and fresh this track is. The radio-friendly arrangement of Trina & Stacey carry this song so well.

"Rainbow Promise" written and performed by Gavin Chatelier (VIC) won the Best Gospel Song Silver Award and stands out as wonderful country/MOR faith inspired composition. Easy to place in radio programming or in churches - this song is a gem and the judges noted so accordingly.

"I Believe" by Francine Bell (NSW) is a very personal traditional soloist Gospel song that touches the heart and depths of the soul. Beautifully arranged and presented this won the Outstanding Lyrics Award 2004.

Picking up the tempo, "Angel In The Skies" written and performed by Bob Ricketts (QLD) won Best Country Gospel Song 2004 for its classic arrangement and powerful lyrics. Again another radio and congregation friendly winner.

"There's Hope" was one of the highest rotation Christian music release in 2004 and was a credit to the composers, Sam Hatch and Josh Brown (QLD) as well as the performers Alabaster Box. As one of the judges remarked "This is truly a delicate and rich blend of devotion and emotion. Stunning work !"

"Hill Of Death" written and composed by the prolific Joe Dolce (VIC) won Best Folk Gospel Song 2004. Joe put the music to the words of Louisa Lawson (mother of Henry) in a rare but wonderful arrangement crossing the generations with a timeless message.    Sheer brilliance.

"Gentle Whisper" was written by Amber Mitchell and Neil Kellie (ACT), with this track performed by Undivided Heart. Co-winner of the Best Praise & Worship Gospel Song 2004 this arrangement is soaring and should become a classic in its genre.

"I Got Joy In My Soul" was written, performed and produced by Sean Hale (VIC) one of the Blues Gospel legends. Awarded the Best Blues Gospel Song 2004 it is no wonder that judges commented "An inspirational Gospel blues song of the highest order" and "Great blues track. Love this song!"

"One Mighty Jesus" won the Best Australian Gospel Song 2004" genre award and was written and performed by Graham Scobie (NSW).    Known as the Aussie Gospel Bloke, Graham is well versed in his craft and has won numerous music and song writing awards.

A surprise at the awards was "Rebel" written and performed by Shisha Ashby (SA) who won the Best Youth Gospel Award 2004. Simple, yet to the point pop based song that has a few people in the music industry very interested indeed. Watch this young lady in the future !

"Hold On To Jesus" was written and performed by Dean Perrett (QLD) and was winner in the Best Bluegrass Gospel Award 2004 genre. Tight arrangement, catchy lyrics laid the claim that bluegrass is back stronger than ever.

Jim Peters (NSW) is one of Australia's most prolific songwriters of faith inspired music and here he has composed an anthem with "We Are A Holy Nation" winning the Best Southern Gospel Song Award 2004.

"Rebuild Your Temple" is composed and performed by Wendy Hargraves (QLD) in a different style to most mainstream Christian songs of praise. In acknowledgement she won the Judges Commendation Award 2004.

"How Majestic" by Fiona Mitchell (SA) was awarded co-winner for Best Praise & Worship Song 2004 for her powerful arrangement and Strong blend of emotions and excellent dynamics."

This CD represents the studio recordings of the above songs - not the live recordings.    The CD was engineered at the World OF Sound Studio and Mastered by Sony Music Mastering.    It can be purchased from all good music stores that catalog the release, these including: Koorong, Leading Edge, Songland, The Music Store, etc as well as online at http://www.hardrushmusic.com/

Reviews:
"This is a very strong recording - all the songs are winners" Martin Erdman - producer of Sister Janet Mead 3 million selling The Lord's Prayer and CEO of the Du Monde label.

The Australian Christian Music Industry
As one of the growth sectors of recorded music in Australia, sales of Christian music were more than $30 million or 5.2% of total music sales during 2004.    Some of Australias leading music export earners include prominent Australian Gospel Music artists -- such as Hillsong Church, CCC Youth, Newsboys and Rebecca St James, amongst others.    

In addition, Christian artists are amongst the leaders in bring the message of hope and guidance to millions of children each year in their outreach concerts, most often free of charge, but potentially changing lives for good!

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