Nashville Metro Historical Commission, Metro Council, Gospel Music Association, and Record Labels Unite for Marker and Resolution

NASHVILLE, TN – July 22, 2019 – The Nashville Metropolitan Historical Commission, in association with the Nashville Metro Council, has announced the creation of a historical marker at 1000 16th Avenue South to be unveiled today, Thursday, July 25 to honor decades of the music impact of Belmont Church, Koinonia Coffeehouse and the Contemporary Christian Music genre on the city of Nashville. Additionally, a resolution celebrates 50 years of the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards, thanking the trade organization for collaborating with three major CCM record companies to fund the historical marker.

The new historical marker at 16th and Grand for Contemporary Christian Music, Belmont Church and Koinonia Coffeehouse combines historic sites, key events and highlights a few select creative individuals who contributed richly to the fabric of this brand of music in Music City.

The marker will be unveiled on the corner of 16th Avenue South and Grand Avenue. This location is at the heart of what is known as Nashville’s famous “Music Row.” On Saturday, July 27, a concert featuring artists and songs from the celebrated era will be held at the Koinonia Coffeehouse (1000 16th Avenue South). The concert is open to the public on a first come basis until capacity.

The timing of this historical marker installation has been elevated as Music Row is now on the list of most endangered historical landmarks by The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Other Metro historical markers have been created to honor well known locations such as Ryman Auditorium, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Belmont Mansion or markers are based on events such as the Battle of Nashville or the East Nashville Fire. Some markers honor its most famous leaders and creative people such as Revolutionary War General Thomas Overton, dancer Albertine Walker, and poet Laureate Randall Jarrell.

About Gospel Music Association & Foundation:

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. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, The GMA Hall of Fame Induction and Honors Ceremony and the IMMERSE Conference. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Metropolitan Historical Commission:

Created in 1966, the Metropolitan Historical Commission is a municipal historic preservation agency working to document history, save and reuse buildings, and make the public more aware of the necessity and advantages of preservation in Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. The commission consists of fifteen Davidson County residents appointed by the mayor. In 1967, the Metro Historical Commission initiated a historical marker program to commemorate significant people, places, and events in the city's past. Marker Number One, "Heaton's Station," was erected at Lock One Road in 1968. The marker program is now one of the Historical Commission's longest-running and most successful programs, with over 200 markers across the county. For more information about the Historical Markers program, visit www.nashville.gov/Historical-Commission/Services/Historical-Markers.aspx.

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