The winners for this year’s GMA Music in the Rockies conference have been announced.
Shannon Whitson (pictured left) was named GMA’s Artist Solo 2008 for contestants in the 13-24 age category. The 22-year-old Estes Park resident also won a development deal with Centricity Music.
Maggie Erickson of Frisco, Texas was chosen as GMA’s Artist Solo 2008 25 and up age category. She is also the recipient of GMA’s “Disney’s Night of Joy Best of Show Award,” which means she will perform at Night of Joy at Walt Disney World, Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6.
Twenty-three-year-old songwriter Shelly Johnson penned two award-winning songs for the GMA Music in the Rockies songwriting competitions. “The Power of the Cross” was named GMA’s Song of 2008 in the Semi-pro category and the American Bible Society gave her song “Draw Near” its top prize in the Semi-pro category. She was also named the recipient of the Compassion International Music & Ministry Experience, receiving an all-expense paid ministry trip to a Compassion International destination.
Keep your eye on the GMA Music in the Rockies winners. Past winners have included American Idols Jordin Sparks and Chris Sligh as well as Chris Tomlin, Matthew West and BarlowGirl.
Here’s a list of the 2008 winners, all with their websites. Congrats to all!

GMA Vocal One (ages 13-24) Winner/Centricity Music Winner
Shannon Whitson (www.myspace.com/shannonlabriemusic)
Estes Park, Colo.
GMA Vocal One Runner Up
Desiree Olson (www.myspace.com/DesireeOlson)
Spring Hill, Tenn.
GMA Vocal Two (ages 25 and up) Winner/Night of Joy at Walt Disney World Winner
Maggie Erickson (http://www.myspace.com/maggieerickson)
Frisco, Texas
GMA Vocal Two Runner Up
Peggy Mann (www.peggymann.com)
Grand Lake, Colo.
GMA Band Winner
Rough Draft (www.roughdraftband.com)
Fort Collins, Colo.
GMA Band Runner Up
1000 Generations (www.1000generations.com)
Indianapolis, Ind.
GMA Small Group/Duet Winner
Of Scripture (www.myspace.com/ofscripture)
Wichita Falls, Texas
GMA Small Group/Duet Runner Up
Ben & Nicole
Portland, Ore.
GMA Instrumental Winner
Matthew Kooi
Orland Park, Ill.
GMA Instrumental Runner Up
Scotti “Stringz” Bartnett (www.myspace.com/scottistringz)
Sheads Ferry, N.C.

GMA Overall Song Winner
“Ascend to Heaven” by Richie Fike (www.fikeanddana.com)
Colorado Springs, Colo
GMA Overall Song Runner Up
“A Little Bit of Something” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com)
Nashville, Tenn.
GMA Semi-Pro Song Winner/Compassion International Winner
“Power of the Cross” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com)
Franklin, Tenn.
GMA Semi-Pro Runner Up
“Truly Jesus” by Christopher Kai (http://www.myspace.com/christopherkaimusic)
Manchester, Mo.

ABS Amateur Class Winner
“Psalm 63” by Erik Bledsoe (www.erikbledsoemusic.com)
Nashville, Tenn.
ABS Amateur Class Runner Up
“Lead Me” by Cindy James (www.mcjmusic.com)
Vista, Calif.
ABS Semi-Professional Class Winner
“Draw Near” by Shelly Johnson (www.shellyejohnson.com)
Franklin, Tenn.
ABS Semi-Professional Class Runner Up
“Do You Know the Books of the Bible?” by D. Jerome Garrett
(www.myspace.com/djeromegarrett)
Monticello, Fla.
ABS Professional Class Winner
“King of Mercy” by Jason Dyba (www.myspace.com/dybamusic) and Clint Lamberth
Nashville, Tenn.