Nationwide 'All American Gospel' Vocal Competition Canceled
All American Gospel, a national Christian vocal competition organized by Church Communication Network (CCN) Entertainment and Los Angeles-based Barna Films, has been canceled just one month after its launch.
LOS ANGELES — All American Gospel, a national Christian vocal competition organized by Church Communication Network (CCN) Entertainment and Los Angeles-based Barna Films, has been canceled just one month after its launch.
In an announcement posted on the competition's web site, organizers of All American Gospel said the event was called off due to the devastating impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Americans churches and event sponsors, including World Vision.
"We have not been able to sustain the momentum needed to launch a national competition," the announcement read.
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"Regrettably, we are canceling All American Gospel for this year," it continued. "It is with great reluctance that we have made this decision, because we know how much time, energy, and resources our audition sites have put into AAG, and how excited our contestants were about participating."
Close to a Christian version of the widely watched national talent competition American Idol, All American Gospel had planned to hold auditions for youth, aged 14-22, at 10,000 local churches across the country. Auditions in search for the 12 finalists who would participate in a series of six elimination rounds that would be broadcasted nationwide had been scheduled to begin shortly after contestant registration ended in late September.
All fees paid toward the competition will be refunded, according to AAG.
AAG added, "We started All American Gospel in good faith and with high hopes, and we sincerely regret having to disappoint our churches and contestants. It has always been our goal to provide youth ministries and young people with a program that would glorify God and showcase the God-given talents of the youth of America."
While organizers did not know whether or not a second try at the competition would take place, they hoped to have the opportunity to "work with you again."
All information from the competition’s web site has been pulled off with the exception of the announcement of the cancellation. To read the announcement in full, visit www.allamericangospel.com.
