GMA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES AND HONORS RECIPIENTS FOR ANNUAL GMA HONORS CELEBRATION

CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016 AT LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY'S ALLEN ARENA



Inductees: Hezekiah Walker, Howard Rachinski, The Nelons and Russ Taff

Honors recipients: Catherine Brewton for Hope for Harvest, Jars of Clay for Blood:Water Mission, Michael W. Smith for Rocketown and Gospel Music Trust Fund



Performers and presenters to be announced in the coming weeks



Table Sales & Sponsorships Available: www.gmahonors.org

February 18, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 18, 2016) - The GMA (Gospel Music Association) Foundation announces today its inductees and honorees for the annual GMA Honors Celebration set for Tuesday, May 10 at Lipscomb University's Allen Arena. Inductees include Hezekiah Walker, Howard Rachinski, The Nelons and Russ Taff. The event also honors individuals and organizations that are impacting our culture both past and present. This year's honorees include Catherine Brewton for Hope for Harvest, Jars of Clay for Blood: Water Mission, Michael W. Smith for Rocketown and Gospel Music Trust Fund. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. For ticket and table sponsor information, please visit www.gmahonors.org.

John Huie, CAA and GMA Honors Co-Chair says, "It is both humbling and exciting to see this special evening continue to grow. In just three years, this event has become one of the highlights of the year for the Gospel and Christian music industry. It is a great way to gather a lot of wonderful people for a night of celebration."

Hall of Fame Inductees:

Hezekiah Walker: Gospel singer, composer and choir leader, Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir took the world by storm with their sensational and innovative sound. Bringing a more youthful and hip-hop style than his predecessors, Hezekiah Walker and LFC quickly became one of the most popular choral groups in contemporary gospel. Walker not only began selling records but choirs around the world began to emulate the moves and blend of LFC. With numerous accolades including Dove awards and Grammys to their credit Hezekiah Walker and LFC have influenced the sound of a generation. As Bishop of Love Fellowship Tabernacle Church, his staunch message and innovative sound has earned him the moniker, "Pastor of Hip Hop."

Howard Rachinski: Rachinski is President/CEO of Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI), and founder of the Church Copyright License, which helps churches comply with the copyright law. CCLI is currently serving approximately 250,000 churches in 28 countries. He is also a contributing editor to Worship Leader Magazine and has received numerous honors for his leadership in the Gospel music industry, including the GMA's Impact Award in 1994.

The Nelons: One of Southern Gospel's more progressive acts, The Nelons, formerly known as The Rex Nelon Singers was formed in 1977 and has a series of changes within the group. In 1980, The Nelons achieved a rare accomplishment in the music industry as their song "Come Morning," hit the No. 1 slot three times in non-consecutive months.

Russ Taff: Initially known as "the voice" of the legendary Imperials that captured numerous industry awards and a major player in the CCM, Taft forged into a very successful solo career. His ability to stretch the boundaries with his music and his eclectic taste in music is reflected in all of his recordings and live concerts. Taff is very instrumental in broadening the audience for Christian music as he drew from all genres to create his indelible sound. Hailed by Billboard Magazine as "the single most electrifying voice in Christian music," Taff has received numerous accolades, including five Grammy awards and nine GMA Dove Awards.

Full length bios for all inductees are available here.

Honorees: Catherine Brewton for Hope for Harvest: Catherine Brewton, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations of BMI, founded Hope For Harvest, a four-day event as an effort to fund and continue the services provided by Community Outreach Christian Ministries/The Harvest Center after the passing of her mother, Pastor Barbara Brewton-Cameron. This life-changing outreach impacts the community of Charlotte, N.C. by not only providing necessary living items to Charlotte's under-served youth, but also provide an escape through music, dance and words of encouragement. Last year, Hope for Harvest fed over 2,000 homeless citizens of the Charlotte community and raised awareness and funds towards the alleviation of homelessness. In the music industry Catherine's reputation proceeds her. She was named 2013 Billboard Magazine "Woman of The Year." Vibe, Ebony, Marie Claire and many other publications have lauded her and her many efforts for the advancement of arts, as well as her philanthropic passions

Jars of Clay for Blood: Water Mission: Founded by the Grammy and Dove award-winning supergroup Jars of Clay and activist Jena Lee Nardella, Blood: Water has raised over $27 million in a call to personalize the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa. Since its launch in 2004, Blood:Water has worked alongside more than a dozen African organizations to bring clean water and HIV/AIDS support to over one million people in 11 countries. Jars of Clay has sold millions of albums and received GRAMMY, American Music and Dove Awards nominations, 16 No. 1 songs and major television and film song placements, while also appearing on major late night talk shows and entertainment magazines.

Michael W. Smith for Rocketown: Founded in 1994, Michael W. Smith's Rocketown is a holistic, faith-based youth outreach facility located in downtown Nashville. Rocketown has served thousands of youth in the community by providing programming focused on nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Smith has sold more than 15 million albums, scored two No 1 hits, earned three Grammys and more than 40 Dove Awards.

Gospel Music Trust Fund: Established in 1983 by the late Herman Harper (The Harper Agency) and a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, the Gospel Music Trust Fund exists to provide financial assistance in the event of catastrophic circumstances to those individuals who have derived a substantial portion of their income from the field of Gospel music. Through generous donations and fundraising activities, the foundation has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to artists, writers, musicians and business professionals in need. Full length bios for all honorees are available here.

Individual or full tables are available for purchase, which include full dinner service with our honorees and guests. Sponsorships are also available for the GMA Honors Ceremony. Please visit www.gmahonors.org. The event will commence at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

About GMA Honors and Hall of Fame:

GMA Honors was established to recognize individuals and organizations that impact our culture for Christ through music. For 38 years, the GMA Foundation has honored well-deserving individuals and groups through an annual induction ceremony into the GMA Hall of Fame. The event will continue to induct trailblazers into the Hall of Fame but also celebrate current individuals and organizations within the gospel music community that are making significant contributions to the world through their humanitarian efforts as well as their talents. We invite you to be part of this special GMA Honors celebration. With your support we can fulfill the mission of the GMA Foundation to foster an appreciation for the historical development of gospel music and its impact on our culture. The GMA Foundation is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

About GMA (Gospel Music Association):

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week, The GMA Hall of Fame Induction and Honors Ceremony and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.

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For more info on Jars of Clay visit the JFH Artists Database.

For more info on Michael W. Smith visit the JFH Artists Database.

