OPEN LETTER TO THE GMA AWARDS COMMITTEE

Dear GMA Awards Committee:

We are hereby asking for a new GMA Award category: Progressive Rock Album of the Year. We strongly believe that this new category is necessary to recognize a genre of Christian music that has not and cannot otherwise be represented with the current GMA Award categories.

It’s difficult to mark the birth of a genre, but it's generally agreed on that the early 1970s saw the first Christian progressive rock (CPROG) bands. The genre's foundation was cemented with Kerry Livgren’s Seeds of Change album in 1980. Following the Kansas songwriter/guitarist's public announcement of his rebirth as Christian, he released the first openly Christian progressive rock album on a major label (CBS Records).

Over the next 25 years, numerous artists embraced their faith through CPROG. Today, there are more than 50 established Christian Progressive rock artists - more than ever before. But mainstream popularity eludes them because the genre is not often covered by the press, and the music is often challenging for the casual listener.

So what, exactly, is progressive rock? As with any genre, the answer varies depending on whom you ask (especially among fans of the music). Webster's New Millennium Dictionary defines it as “Innovative and experimental rock-and-roll music begun in the 1970s.” WordNet offers: “A style of rock music that emerged in the 1970s; associated with attempts to combine rock with jazz and other forms; intended for listening and not dancing.”

Progressive rock—secular or Christian - has rarely been popular with critics. Most progressive rock artists receive little recognition for their work (both secular and Christian). But Christian prog artists are passionate about their faith, and sharing it through their music—as with any Christian artist.

The current GMA Award categories do not allow for representation of Progressive Rock. Currently, there are two rock genre categories: Modern Rock and Hard Music. Despite its continued evolution, prog does not fit well within the "modern rock" genre, due to prog's deep roots in classical and jazz. Similarly, those same influences give prog a scope outside the "hard music" category.

Today, the leading Christian progressive rock acts are artists such as Iona, Salem Hill and Neal Morse. These and 21 other CPROG artists were featured on a new compilation series, CPR: Volume I. The first double-CD has already led to a second volume within a year, with work now begun on a third volume. But none of these artists will receive the recognition they deserve without more widespread coverage and regard by the Christian music community. With that in mind, we humbly request consideration of this new GMA Award category.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Please note this is a letter, not a petition. We are working within the GMA system for establishing a new Dove award category. If the category is not created, we will endorse the GMA award committee's decision. We feel there is adequate justification, however, and hope that it will.

[ To sign the letter, click here.]