There are perhaps no two hotter songwriters in the music business than Andy Dodd and Adam Watts, and both are part of the faculty for the upcoming GMA Music in the Rockies, the music community’s premier talent competition and training experience for Christian artists, songwriters, and worship leaders, taking place in the picturesque Rocky Mountain town of Estes Park, Colo. from August 3-9, 2008.

Watts and Dodd are currently enjoying the success of Disney’s latest juggernaut “Camp Rock,” which debuted Friday on Disney Channel as the channel’s No. 2 original movie of all time and cable’s most watched entertainment program of the year.

The two songs from the movie’s soundtrack written by Watts and Dodd are currently topping iTunes’ Singles Chart. “This Is Me,” a duet sung by 1/3 of the Jonas Brothers – Joe Jonas and newcomer and “Camp Rock” star Demi Lovato, has been as high as the No. 1 best selling single download, while “Gotta Find You,” performed by Joe Jonas, is also in the top ten on the iTunes chart. Overall, the soundtrack CD, which released on June 17, was No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 this week, with most of those sales coming before the movie ever aired.

The songwriting duo will offer their experiences and perspectives during several classes at GMA Music in the Rockies, including a session entitled: “Hollywood as a Mission Field.” Along with film and TV producer Phil Cooke, Watts and Dodd will discuss being Christians successful in mainstream business. They will also teach a class on songwriting, participate in networking roundtables and serve as judges during Thursday, August 7th’s Song of 2008 National Finals Competition.

“I am really looking forward to this year's GMA Music in the Rockies. It will be a great chance for Adam and me to hang out in the mountains of Colorado with a lot of talented Christian songwriters and musicians,” said Dodd. “Hopefully, we can provide a lot of useful information from our experience as songwriters and producers in both the Christian and general markets. We are always excited to get into the "nuts and bolts" of songwriting and can't wait to share everything we know with all the artists this year!”

Since the launch of their joint songwriting/production company Red Decibel Productions, Watts and Dodd have helped to sell more than 25 million records worldwide. As songwriters, Andy & Adam are signed to an exclusive publishing deal with Disney Music Publishing. Prior to the current “Camp Rock” success, Watts and Dodd have produced hits for Jesse McCartney, Hannah Montana, Aly & AJ and “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2.” They were also instrumental in launching Jeremy Camp’s career, helping him to record his first EP and writing and producing songs for Stay, Carried Me, Restored and Beyond Measure. The team has also written for Jadon Lavik, Avalon and Billy Ray Cyrus and will have songs on the upcoming “Cheetah Girls 3: One World,” the theatrical release of “High School Musical 3” and for newcomer Jordan Pruitt’s CD.

More event details and registration information for GMA Music in the Rockies are available at www.musicintherockies.com.

# # #

ABOUT GMA’S MUSIC IN THE ROCKIES

In addition to the concert-goers, the Rocky Mountain resort town of Estes Park will be the gathering place that week for aspiring songwriters, artists and musicians, who will come from all over the world to be guided and nurtured by seasoned mainstream and Christian music industry leaders and spiritual leaders for GMA Music in the Rockies, the music community’s premier talent competition and training experience for Christian artists, songwriters, and worship Leaders. This year’s Music in the Rockies experience will be led by influential music professionals whose credits read like a who’s who of the music business – Hannah Montana, Casting Crowns, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, CeCe Winans, Keith Urban and many more from August 3-9, 2008.

At the heart of GMA’s Music in the Rockies are the unsurpassed variety of training and career development classes taught by artists and other industry professionals. This year’s event will emphasize being a creative Christian in the music industry and how to make an impact in ministry or in mainstream entertainment. Topics cover everything from pitching songs to singing in pitch and include creative workshops for songwriting and practical training in song publishing, legal matters and performance booking.

Many Music in the Rockies registrants will compete in the GMA Academy National Competition, where singers and songwriters will be judged by panels of top industry A&R, record label and publishing executives. The newly redesigned talent competition features prizes from Walt Disney World, American Bible Society, Centricity Music and Compassion International.

The legacy of artists that have been discovered or birthed from the Music in the Rockies and GMA Academy experience include Colorado born Stacie Orrico and Rachael Lampa. Additionally, Chris Tomlin, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, BarlowGirl, Babbie Mason, Point of Grace and others are also among the many artists who trace their musical heritage to Estes Park.
About GMA:

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel,R&B, hip hop,southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of 4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.