Gospel Dream 2008 Talent Search Series premieres on Gospel Music Channel in June -

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (ANS) -- 16 aspiring Gospel/Christian music singers from across the country are competing in Gospel Music Channel's American Idol®-inspired talent search series Gospel Dream 2008.

Their fate will be in the hands of the Gospel/Christian music's version of American Idol's® Simon, Paula and Randy: famed producer Big Jim Wright, Award-winning artist Martha Munizzi and multi-platinum artist/producer J. Moss, the network announced today.

In a media release, GMC also said that Gospel Dream 2008 will be hosted by Sparrow Records recording artist and Award-winning songwriter Matthew West.

The season premiere of Gospel Dream 2008 is set for Sunday, June 1 and the series will run for five consecutive Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT), culminating with the grand finale coronation of the winner on June 29.

Gospel Dream 2008 invited performers from all Gospel/Christian styles, including traditional, soul, rock, blues and country, to audition in Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Miami and Atlanta. The winner will receive a record & music video deal and a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

The host and celebrity judges bring impressive resumes to Gospel Dream 2008.

Grammy award-winning record producer/songwriter/keyboardist/vocalist Big Jim Wright has worked with Janet Jackson, Sting, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Mary Mary, Aretha Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Nicole C. Mullen, Joy Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and many more. His feature film credits include "Fighting Temptations," "Akeelah and the Bee," and "Hotel Rwanda."

Acclaimed and Dove and Stellar award-winning Martha Munizzi is a pioneering cross-cultural worship music artist/songwriter. The worship leader's breakthrough came in 2003, with the release of The Best Is Yet to Come which earned Munizzi the Best New Artist trophy at the 2005 Stellar Awards-the first time a non-African American singer snagged the honor. She has just released her latest independent CD/DVD project, Change the World in April.

One of Gospel music's most prolific talents, J. Moss is not only an accomplished artist, he is also part of one of music's hottest production companies, the three-man team known as PAJAM, he's been the co-writer and/or producer behind some of the biggest artists in both Gospel and secular music for the better part of the last decade, including The Clark Sisters, Hezekiah Walker, N'SYNC, Michelle Williams, Trin-i- tee 5:7, Dru Hill, Boyz II Men and Kelly Price.

Singer/songwriter Matthew West catapulted onto the Christian music scene with "More," the most played Christian pop song of 2004 and two critically- acclaimed studio recordings, Happy (2003) and History (2005); The multi-Dove Award nominee and sought-after songwriter released his third CD Something To Say, which has already produced the No. 1 radio hit "You Are Everything," and the new rising hit "Something To Say." West has also become a popular face on the Gospel Music Channel, having recently shared backstage co-hosting duties for the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards and Gospel Music Channel's Christmas at Union Station specials.

Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and nationwide on DIRECTV.