The GMA (Gospel Music Association) week will be held at Music City in the Nashville Convention Centre in Tennessee, April 1-5, 2006.

|PIC1|Over 3000 are expected to attend GMA week, with the purpose to gain professional development and growth through various seminars, educational tracks, and exposure to more than 100 showcases and concerts by renowned Christian music artists.

The newest tracks include the Indie Impact and Urban Music Connection.

In addition, the 37th GMA Music Awards will be held on April 5 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, which will be hosted by legendary Christian artists Kirk Franklin and Rebecca St. James.

The nominations for the Music Awards were announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with sixstepsrecords praise & worship artist Chris Tomlin leading the way with a total of 9 nominations.

Other notable nominees include producer Brown Bannister, up for seven awards including Producer of the Year and six album nominations. Singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, winner of 49 Dove Awards –more than any other artist in gospel music history, could potentially pass the 50-trophy mark this year if one of his three nominations results in a win.

Former Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell is up for his first Dove Award this year for his performance of “In Christ Alone” for the WoW #1’s compilation CD and “American Idol” finalists continue to make their mark on gospel music with George Huff, Clay Aiken, and this year’s “Idol” Carrie Underwood each garnering a nomination.