We are currently announcing class titles and teachers as we get programming in from our industry professionals! To find out about who is coming to teach/perform at IMMERSE, head to the ARTIST/SPEAKER page on the website! To find out about class titles and those teachers, head to the TRAIN page on the website!

We have been saying that we have BIG updates coming, and here we go!

I) As some of you figured out, Dave Barnes will be coming and performing at IMMERSE! We are absolutely thrilled to bring you guys such a talented artist and musician at IMMERSE – Dave just released a new album called “What We Want, What We Get” which debuted at #4 on Billboard’s Top Christian Charts! If you are unfamiliar with his work, you can check out Dave at these following sites:

Official Website: www.davebarnes.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davebarnesmusic
twitter: www.twitter.com/davebarnesmusic
iTunes: “What We Want, What We Get”

II) Next, we are thrilled to be able to begin to announce some classes titles and teachers to you guys! All IMMERSE classes are created and taught by industry professionals

Panel Discussion: How the State of the Industry Affects You.
David Breen (The Breen Agency-booking), Josh Bailey (Word-A&R), Holly Zabka (Provident- publishing), Beka Tischer (Razor & Tie-publishing)

Heart and Mind of An Artist – Equipping an Artist For a Healthy and Prosperous Career
Moderated by John Mays; Jim Thomas (Pastor, Village Chapel), Stephen James (Sage Hill Institute)

Women in Songwriting
Jennie Lee Riddle, Sarah Hart, Christa Wells, Ginny Owens

We will continue to announce more classes titles over the next couple days and weeks!

III) Lastly, we have extended the current registration deadline! We had previously announced that the current price of $299 per person was only good though April 30th, but we have extended it until May 31st (a whole extra month if you need it!). You can still register online for IMMERSE by going to www.experienceimmerse.com/register.

Be on the look out for more classes, chances to win special opportunities at IMMERSE, and even a way to become even more involved in the IMMERSE process!

After a few weeks of hard work, late nights, and many “PAY NOWs” and refunds, the online process for registering for IMMERSE competitions and field trips are now live! This means if you are a registrant, check your email to see how to register! If you don’t see it, email Scott at scott@gospelmusic.org and he will get you all taken care of Monday morning!

Everyone get ready for IMMERSE 2010 – MANY MANY MANY more updates to be announced over the next few weeks as we gear up for a great event!

In this weeks “Look Back” we decided to post the audio segment from Travis Cottrell called “Servanthood: The Heart Of A Worship Leader” due to the power of Travis’s message of what it means to be a worship leader. Press play below to listen to an hour long clip from the class Travis taught at IMMERSE 2009!

*Audio clip may take time to load depending on connection

A native of Virginia, Tony moved to Nashville with no completed songs and no contacts – only a backpack of lyrics in need of melody. Doors began to open when BMG signed him through their gospel division. Seven years as a staff writer there and ten years with Brentwood-Benson resulted in over 450 songs recorded in the CCM market, a Dove Award for FIND YOUR WINGS as 2007 Inspirational Song of the Year, a 2009 Dove Award nomination for Songwriter of the Year and 18 #1 songs. His songs have been recorded by: Point Of Grace, Michael W. Smith, SELAH, 4-Him, Avalon, Sandi Patty, Natalie Grant, Don Moen, Ginny Owens, Mark Schultz, Brian Littrell, Big Daddy Weave, Pocketful of Rocks, FFH, Lincoln Brewster, Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Francesca Battistelli, Nicole C. Mullen, Larnelle Harris, Building 429, Jason Crabb, Steve Green, Gaither Vocal Band, Petra, Kari Jobe, Wayne Watson, Oak Ridge Boys, Michael English, Susan Ashton, Phillips, Craig & Dean and many others. Tony is currently a writer for Sony/ATV Music Publishing.