Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED – A Talent Search for Unsigned Gospel Artists
Grand Prize Winner Secures a Record Contract with EMI Gospel
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Brentwood, TN (February 2, 2011) – Multimedia journalist Jawn Murray and EMI Gospel have joined efforts to release “Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED,”
a CD compilation of 10 unsigned gospel artists, one of which will
receive the grand prize of a recording contract with EMI Gospel.
Murray, an on-air entertainment reporter on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show and a columnist for AOL Black Voices,
has a deep connection to the gospel music industry having worked behind
the scenes as a media trainer for recording artists and as artist
development consultant for several major record companies.
“This
endeavor is just a natural extension of who I am because of my overall
passion for gospel music and the work I’ve done helping to develop new
talent over the years. Finding 10 artists with a fresh
sound and being able to give them the opportunity to be heard on a
national platform is a dream project for me. Anyone who
knows me knows I’ve always wanted to be able to utilize my success in
mainstream entertainment to empower the gospel industry and I believe
this project is a step in that direction,” Murray stated.
“Jawn Murray Presents: UNTAPPED” will be a showcase of 10 gospel artists who secure a position on the CD compilation based on the judging criteria detailed at Untapped.EMIGospel.com. The
grand prize winner will thereby be entitled to enter into an exclusive
physical and/or digital recording deal with EMI Gospel.
“We’re
amazed at the talented, but unknown, gospel artists we often hear.
Working with Jawn Murray on the UNTAPPED project will be a great way to
introduce some of these gifted artists to the world.” Ken Pennell, President of EMI Gospel
Celebrity judges Dr. Bobby Jones (‘Bobby Jones Gospel’), singer and TV talent Lexi, Grammy-nominee VaShawn Mitchell and radio host Gerard Bonner (‘Bonnerfide Radio’) will work with EMI Gospel’s A&R team and Murray to determine the final roster of talent.
“I’ve asked an All-Star group of my industry friends to join me along with EMI Gospel in this quest to find my top 10 artists. I’m excited to have them working along with me to scout all the great potential this industry has to offer,” said Murray.
Entrants for “Jawn Murray presents UNTAPPED“
must submit a mixed and mastered audio-only sound recording (audio mp3
or wav file format only) of their performance of an original musical
composition (i.e., 100% owned and controlled by entrant) or of one of
the musical compositions listed at Untapped.EMIGospel.com. Applicants must also include a photograph in jpeg format. The
sound recording contained in each entry must be no less than two
minutes and no more than five minutes duration, and must be originally
recorded by the entrant (free of any third-party claims).
All entries must be received no later than March 18, 2011 11:59 PM EST. Eligibility details and timeline specifics on the compilation are available at Untapped.EMIGospel.com.