Inspirational Country Music Association

Last updated
Inspirational Country Music Association
Industry Christian country music
Founded1992
FounderGene Higgins
Headquarters
Nashville
,
U.S.
Key people
Gene Higgins, Jason Higgins
Website ICM.com

Inspirational Country Music Association was founded by Gene Higgins and a business partner in 1992 under the name "Christian Country Music Association" but due to a federal lawsuit brought on by the Country Music Association they are no longer permitted to use the Christian Country Music Association acronym. [1]

Contents

History

The CCMA was founded in 1992 by Gene Higgins and a business partner. The purpose of the company was to bring exposure to the genre that would become known as Christian country music. Christian country was a form of music that was similar to country but it had positive lyrics and an inspirational and sometimes spiritual content. The organization hosts an annual awards show known as the ICM Awards. The ICM Awards bestows awards upon individuals who perform or promote Christian county music. [2] Higgins announced that on October 4, 2013 he officially retired as the president of the ICM organization. It was further announced that he would remain with the company and participate with running the Power Source Magazine. [3]

Magazine

The ICM has a monthly publication known as "Powersource Magazine" which is a company in itself. The magazine showcases Christian county music artists as well as a playlist music chart. [4] In addition to industry news and the charts, artists may purchase advertisements or be featured as a lead story or an article of interest. These editions are then distributed to industry minded individuals. [5]

ICM awards

The ICM holds an annual awards show to honor artists who participate or promote the genre of Christian country music throughout their careers. Though the awards show does not have a set date for its yearly event, it is usually set between October and November of each year. [6]

Lawsuit

In 2002, the Christian Country Music Association was sued by the Country Music Association for infringement. The CMA contended the CCMA was an infringement upon its brand and that it was in direct competition with the annual Country Music Awards. [7] Ed Benson, the director of the CMA commented that the CCMA was using and benefiting unfairly from the use of the acronym CCMA and it caused confusion for fans and artists alike. [8] The courts finally ruled that the CCMA could use the name "Christian Country Music Association" but would not be permitted to use the acronym CCMA. [9] After the ruling it was decided to rename the CCMA to the Inspirational Country Music Association or the acronym, ICM. In July 2003 the company was reincorporated under its new name. [10] In 2003 the CCMA was once again in violation of the court order banning them from using the CCMA acronym by changing it to CCA. The CMA filed for and was awarded an injunction which prohibited them from using CCA and any of their propaganda. [11]

Related Research Articles

Christian country music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Christian country music is a form of Christian music and a subgenre of both Gospel music and Country music.

The Higgins

The Higgins are a multi-award-winning Canadian country music group from Delta, British Columbia. The Higgins comprise three siblings: John, Eileen, and Kathleen Higgins. They have charted a total of three singles on the Canadian Country Music charts, two of which were Top 15. Videos for "Flower Child", "Real Thing", and "Second Hand Car" all went to No. 3 on CMT's Chevy Cross Canada Countdown. The Higgins are songwriters as well as musicians, having written or co-written nine tracks on their national debut album Real Thing. The Higgins were nominated for CCMA Group of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and have won six BCCMA awards including Album of the Year and Group of the Year (2008).

Mike Manuel

Mike Manuel is a Christian country music artist based out of Nashville, Tennessee.

Gord Bamford is an Australian-Canadian country music singer. He has released eight studio albums. Alberta-raised Bamford, stands as one of the most decorated artists in Canadian country music with an impressive 26 Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) awards, multi JUNO nominations and the only two-time winner of Nashville's Country Music Association (CMA) Global Country Artist of the Year award.

Codie Prevost Canadian country music artist

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Chad Brownlee

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Gary Lynn Fjellgaard is a Canadian country music singer-songwriter.

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John Sines Jr. American country music singer-songwriter (born 1968)

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Tim Hicks Canadian country singer-songwriter

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Madeline Merlo Canadian country pop singer-songwriter (born 1994)

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Meghan Patrick is a Canadian-American country singer-songwriter from Bowmanville, Ontario, signed to Warner Music Canada, and Riser House Entertainment. She released her debut album, Grace & Grit, on April 29, 2016. Patrick counts Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Aretha Franklin as her influences. She has one #1 Canada Country hit with "Walls Come Down".

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The Reklaws are a Canadian country music duo from North Dumfries, Ontario, formed in 2012. The duo consists of siblings Stuart and Jenna Walker. They have released two albums, Freshman Year and Sophomore Slump through Universal Music Canada.

Jade Eagleson is a Canadian country singer and songwriter from Bailieboro, Ontario. He has released five singles and one self-titled album.

References

  1. ↑ ICM. "ICM banned from using CCMA title". PRNEWSWIRE.com. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  2. ↑ Awards, ICM. "ICM Awards". Webster & Associates. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  3. ↑ Higgins, Gene. "Gene Higgins Retires". ICM. Retrieved 7 September 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  4. ↑ Powersource Magazine. "PowerSource Magazine". Higgins Music Group. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  5. ↑ PowerSource Magazine. "Advertising inside of PowerSource". PowerSource Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  6. ↑ ICM Awards Show. "ICM Awards". ICM. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  7. ↑ CMA sues the CCMA. The CCMA is accused of infringement. Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  8. ↑ CCM sues CCMA. "CCMA Sued over Acronym". AP. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  9. ↑ CCMA Lawsuit Settled. CMA Settles Lawsuit with CCMA. Billboard. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  10. ↑ ICM Incorporation. "CCMA Reincorporates as ICM". TN Public Records. Retrieved 31 May 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  11. ↑ Higgins, Gene (March 20, 2004). Higgins Violates Court Order. Nashville, TN: Nielsen Business Media. p. 10. Retrieved 7 September 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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