A PRESIDENT AND A PREACHER TURN BOOK ON GOSPEL MUSIC BIZ INTO A HIT CONFERENCE
About My Father’s Business Conference to be Held August 24 -26, 2006. Appearances by T.D. Jakes; Tavis Smiley, Kirk Franklin and Vickie Winans Among Others
In 2004, the president of America’s largest gospel label – Zomba Gospel (Max Siegel) ,and megachurch pastor, John Ramsey (New Life Worship Center in Indianapolis), got together and published a primer for those who wanted to know the ins and outs of the gospel musicindustry in the book, “About My Father’s Business: Merging Ministry and Industry.”
For an independent book that wasn’t carried in most major bookstores, it did a very respectable 8,000 in sales and indicated to the writers that there was a demand for this information. With that in mind, they launched the first About My Father’s Business Conference in August 2005 at the Indianapolis Convention Center . The three-day event drew over 12,000 people. “This conference is about imparting real knowledge and providing practical resources and applications for living the duality of life in ministry and success in business,” says Siegel.
“The About My Father’s Business Conference is unique because of our combined experience in church ministry and the Christian music business,” says Ramsey. “Without the right tools, it’s very difficult to find balance between the two. We founded this conference precisely to provide current and aspiring musicians and executives with those tools.” Moving beyond the traditional model of information sessions, the conference is organized by classes in a variety of vital disciplines that are taught by experienced thought leaders, including record company presidents, successful entrepreneurs, artists and songwriters. Courses include Artist Management/ Marketing and Promotion; Church Is Business; Health & Fitness; Media & Ministry and What Record Companies Want.
Each day of the conference opens with words of encouragement; from speakers such as Jamal Bryant, Blair Underwood, John Ramsey, Paula White; Bishop T.D. Jakes and Tavis Smiley. Recording artists confirmed to perform include: Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Smokie Norful, Hezekiah Walker and Vickie Winans. For more information, including registration details, please visit www.amfblive.com.
Contacts: Bill Carpenter: 202-506-5051 or carpbil@aol.com