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History
of the ICGMA
This
is the 52nd year of existence for the ICGMA, making it the
oldest Country Gospel Music Organization in America.
Throughout these many years, Artist, Fans, and Industry
alike have found the ICGMA a wonderful place of fellowship,
friendship, and ministry, as we worked together to advance this
great musical art form, and to build the kingdom of God.
Over 50 years ago, Dr. W. Lindsey Thompson and Billy Holcomb founded
the I C G M A (International Country Gospel Music Association). They had a strong vision to unite those who loved
and ministered in the Country Gospel Music field. They felt by
uniting and working together with artists from all over the world,
they could form a bond and build a music industry that could truly
spread God's message of salvation through the Country music that
so many love. They knew that good Christian music can sometimes
reach a soul when nothing else can. They had a vision to have a
music ministry association with great integrity, high moral
standards, and that would be open to everyone, not just an elite
few. All these things have been accomplished along with many more
over the last 50 years.
Country Gospel and Christian Country music are now at the top of
the many Christian music formats. Climbing so fast that many of
the major record labels, such as Curb, MCA, Sony, and RCA are
releasing great and exciting cuts with brand new talent. Why not ?
It has always been one of the world's favorite music genres.
For over 50 years the I C G M A and its members have presented its
prestigious Gold Cross awards to some of the most outstanding
artists and servants to Christ in the Country Gospel field.
Artists such as: Walt Mills, Judy DeRamus, Willie Nelson, Del Way,
Chuck Day, Fox Brothers, Dottie Rambo, Dr. Joe Price, Billy
Walker, Barbara Fairchild, Jimmy Jones, Kenny Hinson, LaVerne
Tripp, Jimmy Fautheree, Roland Wright, Stewart Hamlin, Jody
Miller, Shelia Lewis, Tommy Smith, Betty Jean Robinson, Claude
Gray, Joe Paul Nichols, Otha Geeslin, W C Taylor, Barry Wayne,
Johnny Mathis, Light Crust Doughboys, Dolly Parton, Gina White,
Clifton Jansky, Gene Reasoner, James Marvell, Lawton Williams,
Wanda Jackson, Gary R. Smith, Margo Smith, Mary Faye Jackson,
Gayla Earlene, Gene Crain, Mike Manuel, David Patillo, Susie
Luchsinger, Cal Denison, Bruce Haynes, Cross Country, Morgan &
Morgan, The Singing Nichols, Family, One A Chord, Steve
"Rabbit" Easter, The Babcocks, Red Foley, Ken Holloway,
Pete Whitebird, Steve White, The Texas Girls, Tennessee Ernie
Ford, Glorya Wilson, Billy Jack Davis, Mike Culpepper, Melanie
Walker, The Chuck Wagon Gang, and many, many more. Too many to
list.
The ICGMA is proud of what it has accomplished in over 50 years. We would also like to say that we do not feel as though we
were totally responsible for the great leaps and bounds that
Country Gospel Music has made in the last decade. We know that
many of our great and treasured friends in other organizations
such as GMA, CGMA, TIMA, CGMG, CGMC, and CCMA have played a major role
in the development of this genre of music. We are all there to
encourage and support each other in our ministries. We all have
but one purpose, to spread the word of our Saviour to a lost world
through music.
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