International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum 10th Anniversary Dazzles DETROIT

It was a red-carpet, star-studded, raise-your-bid and raise-your-praise kind of night. The 10th annual International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum® (IGMHFM) celebration honored this year's inductees and raised funds for a new museum site.
Nothing deterred the revelry and reverence of the gospel music crowd on October 21, not even the Detroit Tigers' appearance in Game One of World Series on the same night.

New to the event this year were silent and live auctions of rare and collectible items to benefit the IGMHFM's capital campaign for its new facility. Among the items capturing high bids were memorabilia from former Detroit Tiger Willie Horton, gowns and purses from Vicki Winans, and an autographed photo of the late Rosa Parks.

Gracing the red carpet and posing for pre-event photos at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center were many of the 2006 inductees, presenters and past recipients of International Gospel Music Hall of Fame honors.

Pastor Marvin L. Winans, a 2002 inductee, served as Master of Ceremonies as Professor Iris Stevenson, Merdean Fielding Gales, Joe Bagby, Bishop P.A. Brooks, Kurt Carr, the late Davis Sisters, Bishop Albert Jamison, Dr. Curtis Lewis, Take 6 and Rodena Preston were inducted into the IGMHFM.

"Bishop P.A. Brooks' acceptance speech set the tone for the evening with a balance of humility and excitement," said David Gough, founder of IGMHFM. Brooks is the Presiding Prelate of the Northeast Jurisdiction in Michigan and a General Board Member of the Church Of God In Christ worldwide.

"What you send into the lives of others will return in yours," said Merdean Fielding Gales in her acceptance speech. Gales serves on the board of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, chaired by fellow 2006 inductee Bishop Albert Jamison, Brooklyn, NY. The GMWA is the largest African American music conference in the world, with more than 70,000 members.

Among the stirring gospel performances throughout the evening were the sounds of the group Zie'l, The Evereadys, Marcus Cole, Dr. Leonard Scott and past inductees The Whitfield Co. Comedian Horace H.B. Sanders, 2003 Star Search winner also performed.

The 2006 inductees to the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum were nominated from around the world and selected by the IGMHFM board to recognize their contributions to gospel music. Nominees must have been involved in gospel music activities for at least 25 years. 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 Della Reese, Aretha Franklin, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Dr. Bobby Jones, Yolanda Adams, CeCe Winans, Mississippi Mass Choir, Pilgrim Travelers and Donnie McClurkin.

The 2006 event sponsors included Comerica, Black Gospel Promo, SkyAngel, The Word Network, DetroitGospel.com, TCT Network, Mix 92.3, Urban Network and GospelCity.com.
Nominations for 2007 will be accepted on the IGMHFM Web site (www.igmhf.org) from January 10 through February 7, 2007.

About the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Founded in 1995 as a non-profit organization by DoRohn Entertainment's president and gospel artist David Gough, the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum preserves and celebrates the work of the world's legendary and influential gospel music artists and entertainers. It is supported by individual donors and corporate contributors.

The museum, open for tours by appointment, is now housed in the studios of DoRohn Entertainment. Its collections include recordings, documents, photographs and memorabilia. Archivists and music experts are also available to assist students and researchers. IGMHFM continues its fundraising efforts with the goal of building a permanent home for the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

For more information contact David Gough, 313-592-0017.
International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum
18301 West McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48219
Phone: 313-592-0017
Fax: 313-592-8762
www.igmhf.org