Hearken Studios has announced that The Connection, their 2nd annual independent Christian artist showcase event, will be held in Nashville, Tennessee on May 29-31 2005. The event will take place at the Opryland Hotel in the Presidential Ballroom.

This event gives Christian artists the opportunity to perform for Christian record labels, distributors, agents, booking agents, managers, promoters, producers and organizations looking to hire Christian talent. It also unites artists from around the nation with the common goal to further the Kingdom of Christ through the power of music.

"The Connection is unique in that we work prior to and way beyond The Connection to help the artists 'make the difference'," says conference director Andy Johnson. "We begin by auditioning talent for their ministry goals, arrange them with songwriters, producers and recording studios, and our staff assists with vocal development, image consulting and press kit development. But our main purpose is to help new Christian artists to be heard and to help them find their place in The Kingdom."

Each artist receives training materials such as Tom Jackson's Artists Coaching Tape Series, Patrick Garrett's book "A Beginner's Guide to Christian Music" and David Nevue's book "How to Market Your Music Successfully on the Internet." The artists also receive their own web page in Hearken's Audio Video Library, and marketing assistance after the Connection.

A special attraction to The Connection this year is the addition of Garold Anderson. Garold is the President of Watershed Arts, a support group for Christians in theatre arts. Garold has theatrical training facilities in France and Germany and tours the US training Ministers on stage and speaking techniques to engage the audience. Garold will be conducting two workshops at The Connection that are FREE to all Church Clergy - May 30th at 4:45pm and May 31st at 2:45pm, both in the Presidential Ballroom. For more information visit: www.hearkenstudios.com/theconnection.

Through a new partnership with World Vision, showcasing artists will also have the opportunity be a part of "The World Vision Connection - Taking it to the World Tour" that will travel across the US and through Europe in 2005. All artists on the tour are selected solely from The Connection talent. The tour is designed to give new artists extensive promotion and a national tour opportunity, while presenting World Vision presentations in each city.
The kick off concert for the tour will be June 1st, in Nashville, TN at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel / Presidential Ballroom. The pre-show will begin at 6:00pm. The concert will be a Christian Performing Arts Extravaganza, featuring an illustionist, comedian, theatre arts performer, BMX stunt bike team, dancers, and almost every genre of music. This is a show to bring the entire family to. Tickets are $8 at the door and $5 for groups of 10 or more. All church clergy receive free admission.

For additional information, visit the website at www.HearkenStudios.com or contact The Connection/Hearken Studios Audrey Brooks Conference Director email: music@hearkenstudios.com phone: (866) 894-2122.