From Kim Jones,
Your Guide to Christian Music / Gospel.
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Dec 27 2005

Band With A Mission holds a unique opportunity for indie musicians who are serious about using their music as a vehicle to reach the world. The competition will place finalists in front of a judging panel of top key decision makers in the Christian music industry and the winning band will find themselves on a missions trip to China --ministering through their music in partnership with Youth With A Mission.

The unusual approach of Band With A Mission has gained international attention. Bands from all over the world are signing up to participate. Entrants are required to submit a music demo, photo of the band, brief biography including a statement of purpose for ministry through music, and the entry fee for the competition.

The trip to China will include the opportunity to perform at Shenyang Stadium (11,000 capacity), the Great Wall of China, and Tiananmen Square. The winning band will also be given a full resource package of U.S. exposure -- including a Nashville recording session for a professional EP to be distributed by Elevate Records, national promotion of the band's product through Musichristian.com, and a mini-tour of summer Christian music festival stages.

Ainslie Grosser, A&R Director for Elevate Records, who will produce the winners' EP session, says that the competition will be focused on finding new talent with a heart for ministry, as well as professional musical abilities.

"This competition purposely has some unique factors built in. It's not for the fame seeker but for the ministry hearted. Our goal in staging the event is to find professional quality new music being made by believers who have a serious vision and work ethic for reaching the world for Jesus," said Grosser.

The event will be held in Nashville, April 19-22, 2006. From entries submitted, sixty bands will be chosen to play for the judging panel of industry professionals. In the final round, six bands will be judged in a play-off at Rocketown in Nashville and the winner will be given the title of "Band With A Mission."

The panel of judges includes: Andrew Patton, (founder of Patton House Entertainment and former VP of Promotions for the Provident Label Group), Karrie Hardwick, (Manager of National Promotions for Provident Label Group), Billy Buchanan (of the band Fusebox), solo artist Ben Kolarsik, (formerly of the band Across The Sky) and Elevate Records' Ainslie Grosser.

Registration fee is $250.00. All entrants will receive special discounts on music related merchandise, and a detailed A&R assessment of their music by industry professionals seeking to encourage and help develop their ministries.