CCA 2009 Is History!
Monday, June 08, 2009

The Christian Comedy Association 2009 Annual Conference has concluded. Over 165 comics gathered in Murfreesboro, TN (near Nashville) for our 9th annual gathering.  There were many highlights starting with a stellar line-up of Christian comedians on Sunday night.  The showcase was hosted by our new President of the CCA, Chonda Pierce.  Artists included Zan, Thor Ramsey, Leslie Norris Townsend, Rik Roberts, Taylor Mason, Joby Saad, Brad Stine, Tim Hawkins, and Jeff Allen.  The next morning we all gathered at World Outreach Church for sessions led by Thor Ramsey, Nazareth, Sam Gallucci, and Dave Ramsey.  Special music was provided by Clay Cross.  On Monday evening there were so many who wanted to participate in the new artists showcase that we split the list in two and listened to many incredible developing comedians.  The craft is continuing to grow and develop well.  Thanks to John Branyon and Leland Klaussen for hosting the two rooms and to all the veteran comics who kept it running smoothly.

Each afternoon there were development workshops helping the membership in writing comedy, developing your improvisational skills, developing your web presence, improving your stand-up routine, just to mention a few topics.  Thanks to Rik Roberts, Whit Shiller, Justin Fennell, Martha Bolton and David Pierce for their contributions. 

On Tuesday we began again around 9:00 am to hear Sam Gallucci again on the topic of remaining pure while on the road.  Dean Batalli, Hollywood writer and producer, spoke again to us and to the need for funny Christian comics and writers on the national level.  Ben Tyson, former executive with ABC and more and now an executive with Taillight TV addressed the room with words of advice on breaking into the Hollywood industry with treatments for T.V. series, specials and tours.  The convention concluded with a great gospel quartet number by a new ministry formed during the convention, LOVE OFFERING, and our own mentor/pastor Ken Davis.  Ken's inspiring words and humor taught us all that we can be great communicators that can make a difference if we can remember 3 key principles.  Live with nothing to prove; Live with nothing to hide; and Live with nothing to lose.

We hope that you can already start to make plans to join us next year as we will be going back to Murfreesboro again June 6-8, 2010. 

Special thanks to all in the CCA who volunteered to help make this convention so meaningful.  Cecile Kaiser and her teams for registration and catering and to the crew at Outreach Church who served so willingly and were so professional in their craft. 

New board members were elected to help with the increasing responsibilities of the CCA.  Positions are as follows:  President - Chonda Pierce; VP and Treasurer - Justin Fennell; Secretary - Cecile Kaiser, Board Members:  Anita Renfroe, Martha Bolton, Kay DeKalb-Smith, Tim Hawkins, Jason Earls, Nazareth, Thor Ramsey, Gordon Douglas, David Pendleton, and Leland Klaussen. 

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