The Inspiration Network announced today that it is accepting entries for the seventh season of its top-rated Christian Artist Talent Search (C.A.T.S.) series. The premier platform for discovering Christian talent, C.A.T.S. brings together 32 finalists from across the country to perform on national television and the opportunity to land a national recording contract. The winner of the seventh season will record with the Grammy®-nominated and Dove Award-winning Lamon Records and Dave Moody Productions.
“A variety of extraordinary singers from across the country have performed on C.A.T.S. since we started the series,” said Ron Shuping, Executive Vice President of Programming for INSP. “We’re confident that this season will once again deliver the best Christian talent there is to offer.”
Shuping said that the network also is excited to have Lamon Records and Dave Moody on board for the Grand Prize recording contact. “Lamon Records and Dave Moody Productions will continue to build on the caliber of performers C.A.T.S. launches in the Christian music industry,” said Shuping. “This team will offer the winner the necessary guidance and expertise to have an impactful career in Christian music.”
Lamon Records has more than forty years experience producing, manufacturing, distributing, and promoting music artists. The company has won numerous industry awards and produced two Grammy-nominated records, several Dove Award-winning albums, many industry-nominated records, and numerous chart singles and albums in a variety of music genres. Lamon Records is headed by Grammy-nominated instrumentalist/artist/producer and Dove Award winner Dave Moody, the driving force behind the legendary “The Moody Brothers.” Lamon Records and Dave Moody Productions have worked with Young Harmony, Corey Brooks, Sounds of Victory, One Reason, and Leonardo, among others.
C.A.T.S. invites submissions from all Christian genres, including Gospel, Contemporary, Southern Gospel, Rock, and Rap/Hip Hop. Entries will be accepted from soloists and groups from now until April 11, 2008. To qualify, contestants must submit a CD or audiocassette with two Christian songs, two copies of a recent photo, and two copies of their biography. All entrants must be 15 years of age or older by April 11, 2008. Contestants can visit www.insp.com to view the rules and regulations and download the entry form. Additional information also is available by calling 704.561.7955.
Finalists will participate in televised performances that will be produced at INSP’s studios in Charlotte, NC. The seventh season of C.A.T.S. will begin airing in January 2009. Music industry professionals and celebrity judges from the Christian entertainment community will judge the performances and select a winner from the 32 finalists. Past judges have included Russ Lee, Janet Paschal, Tammy Trent, Bob Carlisle, Kim Hopper, Maurette Brown Clark and Michelle Williams.
Season six of C.A.T.S. is currently airing during the “INSP Saturday Night!” lineup on INSP -- The Inspiration Network. The show also airs on i-Lifetv -– Inspirational Life Television. Viewers can check their local program guides for more information.
David Cerullo is the Executive Producer of C.A.T.S. Ron Shuping is the Co-Executive Producer. Fred Shaheen is the Senior Producer.
About The Inspiration Networks:
The Inspiration Networks are available to more than a billion people worldwide through multiple distribution platforms, including Internet Broadband (www.inspiration.net) and four satellite and cable TV networks (INSP - The Inspiration Network; i-Lifetv -- Inspirational Life Television; LFC -- La Familia Cosmovision; and INI - Inspiration Network International). The Inspiration Networks also operate “Inspiration Video On Demand,” the first inspirational platform for cable television video on demand (VOD) delivery; and “Inspiration Global,” providing broadband video content in the world’s four major trade languages – French, Italian, German, and Spanish.