Live music at GMA Music week is in abundance each year. Record label showcases, songwriter events, evenings of worship, and more grace the ballrooms of the hotels and clubs big and small all around Nashville. I learned from my first time at GMA week not to ignore all of the postcards and flyers being handed out around town, otherwise you may miss a good showcase. While many showcases are listed online and in the GMA materials, many are not.

With two reporters representing inReview this year, we still could not make it to all of the evening showcases. So we are excited to have Gomer (aka Third Day Fan) JanetRN to offer her thoughts on one of those showcases at BB Kings not advertised. (Photo credit: Corrine Johnson aka Mama Gomer.)

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Our Tuesday in Music City started with some Artist interviews. We here at InReview researched some fresh tunes and will be bringing you exclusive one-on-one interviews with emerging bands such as After Edmund, The Washington Projects, and Article One in the coming days. Here's a quick photo of Kim and "The Washington Projects" after our interview this afternoon:

Over the course of the afternoon the usual celebrity sightings continued with cameo appearances by Kirk Cameron, Skillet, Project86's Andrew Schwab, and more. One great place to meet and interview artists is the lobby of the Nashville Hilton on Broadway. The vast atrium and lush furnishing give it a pretty impressive look.

You may not be aware that anyone could place votes for the GMA awards each year - anyone who is a member of the Gospel Music Association, that is. As I voted this year, I took down notes on the reason behind my decision in certain categories. I also pondered how many of the artists whom I cast a vote would make it to the second round as the nominee list shrunk. Read on to see how I voted. Then watch the awards ceremony on the Gospel Music Channel on April 23rd live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. But don't forget to come back here to see photos from Luke, our guest reporter for the week. The winners will be listed after the awards here.

Greetings inReview readers, this is Luke S., guest reporter and photographer for the 2008 Gospel Music Week in Nashville, Tenn. InReview veteran and music junkie extraordinaire Kim is with me in Nashville and we are working together to bring you a different approach to the GMA's.

This being my first GMA experience, I had no idea what I was in for. In my first few hours in "Music City" I had witnessed the likes of David Crowder, MXPX's Mike Ferrara, new friends from Tooth and Nail band "Ruth", and countless other aspiring gospel music artists. I must admit it is a bit overwhelming the first time one walks into the lobby of the Nashville Renaissance Hotel. Spread out across the hotel and convention center are booths from nearly every major CCM Market radio station, as well as publicity agencies, touring companies, publishers, and record labels. It is truly a sight to behold.

The craziness is yet to begin here at GMA week in Nashville, TN. Come back in the next few days as Luke, our guest photographer and reporter, and I report from what some consider the hub of CCM. From artist showcases throughout the week to the GMA Awards (aka Dove Awards) on Wednesday April 23rd, there is a lot to report on! We have some exciting interviews scheduled with both new and more well known artists. So stop by in the coming days, weeks and months for more content.

2008 is a leap year, and it seems that with another leap year finds Third Day trying to get back to their roots. According to a recent news article, Third Day's upcoming summer release, Revelation, find the band "searching for definition" and working with producer Howard Benson, known for working with rock artists such as Flyleaf, P.O.D., and Hoobastank. The album most assuredly brings back their southern rock flavor, and with guests such as Lacey Mosely from Flyleaf and Robert Randolph & The Family Band, the amps must be turned up a bit.

Recently, I have encountered a large music purge. While in the process of finally using my mp3 player other than to record interviews, I decided to go through all of my discs and determine which ones to save. I found quite a few in the "find another home for these" pile after spinning them for the first time in years. It falls in line with my attitude about most of my material goods - if I don't use it, why keep it? Send it off to someone who can use the item. Sometimes it means eBay, sometimes a donation to my local Goodwill store. But for the music, I generally find someone else who might enjoy the CD.

In the course of the cleanup, I pondered, "Why buy music?" Now, before you assume that I am one of those who steals music, I assure you, that is not me. And it is true that my work with inReview translates to some free music. But for the most part, if I want music that I care to listen to, I have to buy it.

While snow is still in the forecast in my neck of the woods, I am dreaming about summer. Beach, sunshine, warm weather, vacations, and music festivals. In an effort to remind myself that balmy temperatures will soon be on the way, I looked through my pictures from the Purple Door festival from last August. What are now the cold snow-laden slopes of Ski Roundtop in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania will once again be filled with bands, art, speakers and music fans spread among snow-making machines and ski-lifts. Confirmed bands are scheduled to be announced at the Purple Door website this coming Saturday March 1st with ticket sales beginning April 7th. Buy early for the cheapest price. Or better yet, volunteer for a discounted ticket price.