You talk to most independent Christian musicians who've paid their dues and they've all had a similar experience. They travel hundreds of miles to minister at a church, coffee house, or concert, and then play their hearts out for a meal and maybe a small offering.

It's been a perennial problem for Christian musicians. Traveling hundreds of miles to minister at a church, coffee house, or concert, and then playing your heart out for a meal and maybe a small offering.

Traditionally, introducing yourself and your music to the right people has meant creating a press kit. And that means a well-designed brochure that showcases your talents and distinctive sound, along with a CD so they can actually hear you.

There are tons of great Christian artists who don't have access to the marketing machinery to get their names and music into the right hands. And there are a wealth of venues ? from churches, to coffee houses, Christian colleges, concert promoters, and Christian music festivals ? that are looking for these talents.

Churches and venues end up with top-notch artists to fill their openings, as well as 50 percent of every submission fee.

The Academy is designed to create the ... music festival experience year-round by bringing together gifted musicians from the Fox Valley area.