International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum® Announces its 2006 Inductees

DETROIT (August 21, 2006) – Joe Bagby, Bishop P.A. Brooks, Kurt Carr, the late Davis Sisters, Merdean Fielding Gales, Bishop Albert Jamison, Dr Curtis Lewis, Professor Iris Stevenson, Take 6, and Rodena Preston are this year’s inductees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum® (IGMHFM).

The 2006 inductees, nominated from around the world and selected by the IGMHFM board, were announced by founder David Gough. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame awards.

This year’s induction and awards celebration will be held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on Saturday, October 21. Pastor Marvin L. Winans, a 2002 inductee, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The program will be preceded a Red Carpet Extravaganza with live entertainment and photo opportunities with gospel greats.

“For a decade, we have successfully achieved our goal – the furtherance of gospel music worldwide,” said Gough. “The awards event is our annual centerpiece, but our work to celebrate the contributions of influential individuals and groups, and to increase awareness of gospel music, takes place year-round.”

Nominees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum® must have been involved in gospel music activities for at least 25 years. Individuals, groups, choirs, quartets, broadcast personalities and promoters are among past years’ inductees. Among the previous inductees are Aretha Franklin, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Dr. Bobby Jones, Della Reese, CeCe Winans, The Fairfield Four, Shirley Caesar, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires and Dr. Myles Munroe. Brief bios of all inductees can be found at www.igmhf.org.