2012 Rhythm of Gospel Awards Winner: The PG Network "The People's Choice"

Atlanta based The PG Network is an up and coming innovative multimedia conglomerate. The PG Network gives a voice to independent gospel artists globally. On Saturday July 28, 2012; The PG Network was the recipient of two awards at The Rhythm of Gospel Awards which took place in Jacksonville, FL. The network brought home the awards for the 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Awards Internet Media Group of the Year and the 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Awards Internet Radio Show of the Year. The PG Network stands firm on the mission of being an advocate for the independent gospel community. As I sat down to chat with The PG Network’s founder and visionary Pastor Teresa Jordan, affectionately known as “Pastor T”, it is clearly evident why The PG Network is the people’s choice.

Congratulations on the double win! Exciting for you how does it feel? What is next for the PG Network? 

Pastor T: Thank you and to God be all the glory. The Prayzefest Gospel Network (The PG Network) is elated about the win and we are feeling rejuvenated. We understand that God is the ultimate one to please but it is very nice when your peers recognize your labor in the music industry and they decide to acknowledge your efforts. We are humbled and very happy for the honor. What's next for us... continued work for the independent gospel artists that need platforms catered to them. We are in the midst of presenting the first season of The Prayze Factor People's Choice Awards which is an artists showcase and awards platform designed to engage fan bases worldwide to promote and support independent gospel artists. The platform yielded over 3 million votes for various artists during round one eliminations and round two's video review voting and now the finalists have been identified and will compete for the title of the Prayze Factor People's Choice Awards Champion on September 22, 2012 in a highly anticipated televized show at the Center Stage Theatre midtown Atlanta.

What/Who are The Rhythm of Gospel Awards? 

The Rhythm of Gospel Awards is an annual event filled with a variety of  innovative and exciting showcases, choir competitions, pageants and  achievement galas, bringing in over 8,500 excited, tourists, church,  social and civic groups, families and business professionals throughout  the entire USA, Canada, and Bahamas. This original televised award show is the Largest and the 1st National Independent Gospel Award Show, giving independent gospel artist both a national platform, and a positive collaboration which supports artist of all ethnicities in various genres of gospel music. The Rhythm Of Gospel Award Show spotlights 48 categories of recognition through various Churches and Religious Groups, Business/Community Leaders, and Independent Gospel Music Artist, giving them the opportunity to network formally while congratulating trailblazers from  various sectors of the community and music industry. 

How does The PG Network stay ahead of the competition?

By not looking at it in a competitive way but looking at it in a service way. The PG Network bears the heart of it's leader and truly my heart is to help as many people as I can as much as I can... looking at it from that stand point always has us focused on being of service verses being served and because there are so many that need a helping hand, a platform, an opportunity to be heard, there really is no time to focus on competition. I am thankful that someone showed our network and our team some love through recognition of these beautiful awards and I am encouraged to run a little further on the journey because it will show others that as long as they continue to work and strive for the things God has designed for you to have it will come and not only will He be glorified in it they will have a peace in their spirit about it because they were serving with or without the awards. I've been in the music and entertainment industry for over thirty years and this is my first award recognition (thank you Mark Rogers, Founder of The Rhythm of Gospel Awards) and my serving will be the same after the awards as it was before. 

How has digital/internet radio opened the market up for aspiring artists? 

It's given them a voice that wasn't being heard in traditional media and broadcasting outlets. The term "main stream artists" truly dominates traditional radio and television but the digital movement, partly because it needed content that was good quality but without the red tape and financial burdens that can some time come with "main stream", opened the doors to independent artists that are ready for "main stream" but may not have been discovered yet or they may not have labels/management companies with nice budgets to carry them to those levels. The internet broadcasting movement made it possible for the least of those to have a chance at getting their music played and their videos shared through media that can reach millions across the world and not just in the local range of traditional networks. The PG Network is honored to say that "independent artists are our main stream" and their music is what we spin 98% of the time on our networks.

What is the purpose/mission of The PG Network?

It's quite simple... we are here to give independent gospel artists a new voice in radio and television. With that in mind, we are constantly creating platforms within our network to showcase the independent gospel artist community. Whether it is our radio or television side, our gospel stage plays that we tour, the Reach Project, The Prayze Factor People's Choice Awards or any one of the many artists showcases that we sponsor we are pressed to fulfill the mandate of promoting and bringing exposure to independent gospel artists, ministries and organizations worldwide.

How Can Independent Artists Empower themselves? 

First and foremost they should educate themselves about the "business" of ministry. Many try to get around that and it is impossible. It is imperative that anyone desiring to do full time ministry whether it is performing arts ministry or orating the gospel in organized churches, they need to learn the business of ministry. We have several platforms geared to instructing and preparing individuals for ministry works as well as we partner with other entities that have excellent teaching and empowerment resources. We are happy to help in any way that we can and encourage interested artists, ministers, authors, dancers/mime..etc. to contact us and get connected. They can always reach us via our website which is www.thepgnetwork.org or via email at info@thepgnetwork.org.  We are also very visible on social media via facebook (prayzefestgospelhourshow), twitter (@prayzefest), linkedin (teresajordan or theprayzefestgospelnetwork), reverbnation, wordpress, youtube or simply google Prayzefest Gospel Hour and click on any of the links to us. It would be our honor to assist in getting anyone on the path to fulfilling destiny and/or connecting them to as many resources as possible so that they can fulfill their divine purpose.