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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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.

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.

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.

The Creation Northeast festival newspaper came in the mail today. I eagerly opened it to read while my dinner was heating up. I normally visit the Creation Festival website on a regular basis this time of the year as the schedule is posted. Yet this year I am a bit behind. Most of my knowledge of the artists scheduled to perform at the fest directly relates to the amount of time I spend on the Switchfoot message boards. As long as I know Switchfoot will be in the house, I am a happy camper.

So far in 2008, I seem to be more up to date in my listening of pre-release music than I have in recent years. Maybe I am just filling up my ears with some new music during the concert "down time" of the year. Perhaps I am simply excited to hear some new stuff from old bands. I know one thing - it is not a New Year's resolution. Those don't work for me. In any case, I thought I would relay to you some of my first impressions as I have experienced these four upcoming releases for the first time.

Fireflight
Unbreakable (Flicker Records)
Release date: March, 2008