Winners were named in the annual Academy of Gospel Music Arts (AGMA) National Competition Finals during the 29th Annual Seminar in the Rockies at Estes Park, Colo., with the Grand Prize winners earning the chance to record an album in Nashville.

"We've been fortunate to find some great artists during these competitions in the past. Stacie Orrico, Jars of Clay and Nichole Nordeman are a few of the artists who found the spotlight through this event. Perhaps some of these talented winners will join them as future successes in Christian music,” said John. W. Styll, president of GMA.


There was nearly 1,200 entries from aspiring artists and songwriters from 48 states and several foreign countries. The competition is divided into three divisions: Spotlight Vocal and Instrumental for performance and Song for songwriting. Grand Prizes are named in each division along with first, second and third place winners. The Grand Prize winners receive prize packages which include musical equipment, free studio time and professional performance consultation. The total packages are worth thousands of dollars and offer priceless opportunities for these artists to pursue their musical goals.


AGMA 2003 National Competition Grand Prize Winners

Spotlight Vocal Grand Prize Winner
Kennedy Jones (Cleveland, OH)

Song of 2003 Grand Prize Winner
"God (He) Specializes," by Kennedy Jones (Cleveland, OH)

Spotlight Instrumental Grand Prize Winner
Isaac Agyeman (Minneapolis, MN)


AGMA Spotlight 2003 National Competition Winners

Contemporary Christian Vocal 1

1st Place - Kim Berry (Louisville, KY)

2nd Place - Lindsay Willinger (Louisville, KY)

3rd Place - Lauren Morehead (Chambersburg, PA)

Contemporary Christian Vocal 2

1st Place - Stephen Hinkle (Oklahoma City, OK)

2nd Place - Erika Taylor (Marysville, WA)

3rd Place - Jennifer Armstrong (Springfield, MO)


Contemporary Christian Vocal 3

1st Place - Kennedy Jones (Cleveland, OH)

2nd Place - Todd Braschler (Wichita, KS)

3rd Place - Valerie Davis (Los Angeles, CA)

Contemporary Christian Duet

1st Place – Twins
Hildegunn Reigstad and Ingelin Reigstad (Storebo, Norway)

2nd Place - Nick and Erika
Nick Ryan (Everett, WA) and Erika Taylor (Marysville, WA)

3rd Place - Joshua and Michele
Joshua Alcantar and Michele Alcantar (Fort Collins, CO)

Contemporary Christian Group

1st Place - 1Voice
Turkessa Fountain, Ryan Mitchell, Rebekah Rakes, Dion Savage (Dover, DE)

2nd Place - Cardona, Willis, Stone
Trisha Cardona (Hillsboro, MO), Allegra Stone (Imperial, MO), Katie Willis (Imperial, MO)

3rd Place - Sould
Alyssa Dirks, Julianna Dirks, Kathleen Dirks, Tiffany Dirks (Cherokee, IA)

Contemporary Christian Band

1st Place - Gabriel Martinez Band
David Blackburn, Rick Helterbrand, Gabriel Martinez, Tim Martinez (Jackson, MO)

2nd Place - Poor Man's Riches
Charlie Blacketer, Jessie Drury, William Goodlett, Ryan Hahn, Jeremy Zeller (Lawrenceburg, KY)

3rd Place - Jonathan Salas Band
Jered Hales, Keith McKissick, Edward Pingenot, Jonathan Salas (Markham, TX)

Southern Gospel/Country

1st Place - Common Destiny
Josh Epton, Brad Phillips, Jay Phillips, Kerie Phillips (Woodruff, SC)

2nd Place - Tania Enriquez (Riverview, FL)

3rd Place - Mindy Spurrier (Lynchburg, VA)

Urban Gospel/Hip Hop

1st Place - Valerie Davis (Los Angeles, CA)

2nd Place - DaPreachaman (Page, AZ)

3rd Place - Christi Bradford (Greensboro, NC)

3rd Place - Linda Martin (San Antonio, TX)


AGMA Spotlight Instrumental 2003 National Competition Winners

Piano

1st Place - Gregg Randolph (Roanoke, VA)

2nd Place - Aaron Stewart (Costa Mesa, CA)

3rd Place - Mark Thomas (Nashville, TN)

Instrumental

1st Place - Isaac Agyeman (Minneapolis, MN)

2nd Place - Darren Armentrout (Tulsa, OK)

3rd Place - Teddy Bello (Playa Del Rey, CA)



AGMA Song of 2003 National Competition Winners

Gospel/Urban/Hip Hop

1st Place - "God (He) Specializes," by Kennedy Jones (Cleveland, OH)

2nd Place - "The Truth," by Christi Bradford (Greensboro, NC)

3rd Place - "You are my Everything," by Darin Allen (Pataskala, OH)

Pop - Adult Contemporary/Inspirational

1st Place - "Only You Remain," by Chris Slight (Greenville, SC)

2nd Place - "Till Faith Makes It So," by Mark J. Thomas (Nashville, TN)

3rd Place - "Who You Are," by Stephen Hinkle (Oklahoma City, OK)

Pop - Rock/Alternative

1st Place - "Making Up For lost Time," by David Harsh (Sammamish, WA)

2nd Place - "Big Love," by Josh Threlkeld (Cordova, TN)

3rd Place - "Without You," by Tania Enriquez (Riverview, FL)

Praise & Worship/Choral

1st Place - "Let There Be Blessing," by Heath Jarvis (Westerville, OH)

2nd Place - "Moved to Praise," by Stephen Hinkle (Oklahoma City, OK)

3rd Place - "I love you Lord, I love You," by Jonathan Moore (Columbus, GA)

Southern Gospel/Country

1st Place - "The Dash Between the Dates," by Mark J. Thomas (Nashville, TN)

2nd Place - "Somethin' About That Water," by Rick McKinney (Harrison, OH)

3rd Place - "The Cross That Mercy Made," by Becky Campbell Smith (Charlotte, NC)