CCM Historical Marker On Music Row
The Nashville Metropolitan Historical Commission, in association with the Nashville Metro Council, celebrated the installation of a historical marker at 1000 16th Avenue South with an unveiling ceremony, honoring decades of the music impact of Belmont Church, Koinonia Coffeehouse and the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) genre on the city of Nashville. Additionally, a concert of celebration featuring CCM artists who performed at Koinonia during the 1970’s, will be held on July 27 at the Koinonia Coffeehouse.
The historical marker unveiling ceremony today included Nashville’s Mayor David Briley, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith along with District 8 Councilwoman, Nancy VanReece, Gospel Music Association President, Jackie Patillo and Nashville Metro Historical Society Historian, Jessica Reeves. The 20-minute ceremony began at 10 a.m. on the corner of 16th Avenue South and Grand Avenue. This location is at the heart of what is known as Nashville’s famous “Music Row.” This event was free and open to the public.
“Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music have played a big, but sometimes unsung, role in Nashville’s creative evolution and in our being known worldwide as Music City,” said Nashville Mayor David Briley. He continues, “It’s fitting that we honor the impact these musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others have had on listeners around the world.”
The Koinonia Celebration Concert will be held on Saturday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. featuring artists and songs from the celebrated era including Dogwood, Fireworks and more at the Koinonia Coffeehouse (1000 16th Avenue South). The concert is open to the public on a first come basis until capacity.
On July 16, the Nashville Metropolitan Council included a reading of a resolution celebrating 50 years of the Gospel Music Association (GMA)’s Dove Awards, acknowledging the impact of the upcoming unveiling of the historical marker and thanking GMA for collaborating with three major CCM record companies to fund the historical marker.
“The Gospel Music Association is thankful for our colleagues at Curb/Word Entertainment, Capitol Christian Music Group, and Provident Music Group for their financial support for the historical marker and dedication to serving our community in this way,” commented GMA President & Executive Director, Jackie Patillo. “We are also honored to receive the resolution from the Metro Council, on behalf of the CCM and Gospel industry based here, which honors the 50th year of the Dove Awards and we want to urge the community to consider attending the awards on October 15th at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.”
Pictured Front row, l to r: Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and Brown Bannister
Back row, l to r: Lanier Ferguson, Gary Pugh, Jackie Patillo, Nancy VanReece, Mayor David Briley, Steve Chapman, Annie Chapman and Scott Brickel
