Legendary recording artist and world-renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy recently appeared on Fox 17's Tennessee Mornings talk show to promote the upcoming Christian Musician Summit (CMS) Nashville conference, a popular event of workshops and performances featuring some of the best musicians in the Christian and Country music industries. CMS Nashville, which has been held throughout the U.S. for the past 10 years, makes its Music City debut October 5 and 6 at Grace Chapel in the historic Leiper's Fork area of Franklin, Tenn. A set of one-day bootcamps for songwriters, guitarists and vocalists also is scheduled for October 4. The event is being held in partnership with Kingdom Bound Ministries.

Keaggy performed "Auburn Lady" from his latest CD, The Cover of Love, as well as a Keaggy classic, "Shades of Green," during the morning show segment. Show anchor Kelly Sutton also interviewed the singer/songwriter about CMS Nashville and his participation in the event.

"This wonderful conference...brings together the Country music as well as the Christian music industry. Gifted songwriters, gifted singers and musicians will be there - it's going to be such an encouraging time!" said Keaggy, who has been featured at many of the past Christian Musician Summits.

"It's a great time to network," said Sutton.

Keaggy joins scores of world-class musicians who will be presenting and performing at CMS Nashville, including Ashley Cleveland, Ron Block, Allen Shamblin, Brenton Brown & The Worship Republic, Steve Taylor, Tom Hemby, Cindy Morgan, Zoro the drummer, and many others.

Each day will feature conference sessions, workshops and performances, followed by nightly concerts. One Sonic Society (featuring Jason Ingram, Stu G from Delirious and Paul Mabury), a CCM Songwriters in the Round (Cindy Morgan, Ashley Cleveland, Ben Glover, Ian Eskelin and Paul Moak), Dave Cleveland, Tom Hemby Band, Newworldson, Country Songwriters in the Round (Don Poythress, Tim Rushlow, Ed Hill, Casey Beathard and Allen Shamblin), and Mia Fieldes are among those scheduled for the concerts.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend all four general sessions, both evening concerts and the Late Night Groove Lounge. They will also have access to all exhibitors and to their choice of eight breakout sessions, choosing from more than 100 options in the categories of guitar, bass, drums/percussion, keys, vocals, songwriting, indie artist, audio, video, lighting, technology, worship leadership, and worship bands/teams.

Registration fees are $169 per person or $149 per person as part of a group rate of five or more. The one-day intensive bootcamps on October 4 require a separate registration.

"I'm especially excited about the Nashville conference because this summit brings together top songwriters from two musical genres - CCM and country," says Bruce Adolph, co-founder of the Christian Music Summit conferences and president of the Adolph Agency, Inc.. "Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from songwriters who write for the mainstream market from a Christian worldview."

"Bringing the Christian Musician Summit to Nashville is a dream come true for me," Adolph continues. "This is our 10th year in Seattle and we also have been producing the conference in Buffalo, N.Y., and Sacramento, Calif., for years. But Nashville has so much talent in one region, and we are so excited about the caliber and stature of the musicians and artists who will be teaching at the conference. You do not want to miss this one!"

For more information, including conference rates, and to register, visit christianmusiciansummit.com. To like on Facebook, go to facebook.com/groups/christianmusiciansummit or follow on Twitter (@cmsproductions).

Photo caption: Phil Keaggy is joined by Fox 17's Tennessee Mornings crew following his live TV appearance to promote CMS Nashville. Pictured (l-r): Erika Kurre, Fox 17 anchor and reporter; Erin Como, traffic reporter; Kelly Sutton, Tennessee Mornings anchor; Keaggy; Nick Paranjape, Tennessee Mornings anchor; Craig Edwards, meteorologist; Justin McFarland, Fox 17 reporter. (Marc Kordalski/Fox 17 photo)

About Christian Musician Summit:
The Christian Musician Summit conferences, co-founded by Bruce Adolph and Matt Kees, president of Christian Musician Summit, Inc., are designed to inspire and assist worship leaders, musicians, technicians, pastors, songwriters, and independent artists to sharpen their skills for God's glory. In addition to the workshops and concerts, the CMS conferences also feature exhibits with audio/video and music companies who offer products and services for the Christian church market. These events provide a time for musicians and technicians of all levels to come and learn, network and fellowship.

In addition to CMS Nashville, CMS Northwest is scheduled for November 9-10 in Seattle, and CMS at The Chapel in Western New York is scheduled for May 3-4, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. CMS Nashville and CMS at The Chapel are presented in partnership with Kingdom Bound Ministries.

For more information about Christian Musician Summits, visit christianmusiciansummit.com.

About Phil Keaggy:
One of the world's most beloved musicians, Keaggy's solo career has spanned 40+ years and has included more than 50 solo albums, both vocal and instrumental, as well as eight releases with his band, Glass Harp.

Widely recognized for his phenomenal guitar playing as well as his vocal and songwriting prowess, he has received numerous accolades and awards for his music, including seven Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination.

An accomplished record producer and one of the most sought-after studio guitarists on the planet, Keaggy also continues to sell out concerts all over the United States with his ever-changing style, ranging from rock & roll to fully-orchestrated instrumental compositions.

The Cover of Love is available from Strobie Records. For more information on Keaggy and The Cover of Love, visit philkeaggy.com. Follow Phil Keaggy on Facebook (facebook.com/philkeaggy) or Twitter (@philkeaggy).