Compassionart songwriters premiere new album material at Dove Awards

|PIC1|Compassionart songwriters Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Israel Houghton, Michael W Smith and Chris Tomlin appeared live on the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards to world premiere "So Great", the first song to be released from the unprecedented songwriters' retreat held in Scotland in January.

The songwriters also received eight Dove Awards, giving them 118 Dove trophies collectively. Compassionart founders Martin (Delirious? frontman) and Anna Smith and Compassionart songwriter Darlene Zschech appeared via video link from Australia to introduce the song and talk about the hope behind Compassionart to help the poorest of the poor.

Joining the songwriters at the Grande Ole Opry House in Nashville for the awards ceremony that was telecast by the Gospel Music Channel was special guest vocalist Christy Nockels. Nockels, Houghton and Michael W Smith are featured on the recording of the song that is available now on the WOW Hits 1 album. "So Great" will also be featured on the Compassionart album slated for release this fall.

"The song 'So Great' is an example of one of the many amazing moments shared by the songwriters at the recent Compassionart retreat," says Martin Smith, speaking from Sydney, Australia. "I'm thrilled that the Dove Awards chose to share in our hope; that this song not only blesses those hearing it, but that the song, and the songs to come, will benefit those that are suffering."

Recognised for its charity work, Compassionart also became the recipient of the inaugural "Gospel Angel Award" presented by the Gospel Music Channel during the network's telecast of the Dove Awards. GMC created the special award to honour Christian/Gospel artists for putting their faith in action and helping those in need.

"The selfless contribution of the songwriters involved in the work of Compassionart to bring relief to the poor deserves praise and recognition," says Charles Humbard, founder and president of Gospel Music Channel. "It is fitting to honour these songwriters with the first Gospel Angel Award."

Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England, is dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the relief of suffering around the planet. Working together toward a common goal involving no personal gain, the songwriters at the recent retreat set out to write 10 to 12 songs but by the end of the retreat had completed 22 new songs. In addition to those on the GMA Dove Awards, Compassionart songwriters include Stu Garrard (Delirious?), Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Andy Park and Matt Redman.

Together the songwriters account for at least 42 million albums sold, 82 No1 songs, 10 Grammy Awards, 118 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 98 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world.

Following the retreat, Compassionart songwriters began recording the songs in February at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The songwriters continued to record songs in March at Pentavarit Studio in Nashville, joined by guest vocalists Amy Grant, tobyMac and Leeland Mooring. With 14 songs now recorded, future recording sessions with the songwriters are being planned.

In addition to the songwriters, the publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart. The songs are to be given through Compassionart to the world not just to sing, but also to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet. One half of the monies received over the songs' lifetimes will go to the songwriters' charity of choice, and the other 50 per cent will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved.

More information on Compassionart can be found at www.compassionart.co.uk