John Styll, who has served as president and CEO of the Gospel Music Association (GMA) for the past six years, resigned yesterday as part of the latest reorganization moves by the trade organization, reported the Nashville paper The Tennessean.

"We're implementing a plan that I drafted and recommended to our GMA board last week, and we all agree this is a fiscally responsible direction to go," Styll told the newspaper. "We've been tightening our belts for some time in this economy, and now we're at a point where I think it's wise to take my own salary off the books. I remain a permanent board member of the GMA and look forward to continuing our work.

"These are tough times for everyone, and our industry and GMA membership are no exceptions," he added. "Meanwhile, there's so much to be positive about-the popularity of our music form, the dream of our future Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville--but we have to ride out this economic storm a while further."

Styll has led the GMA and its affiliate organization--Christian Music Trade Association--through a challenging period, as attendance was significantly down at this year's GMA Music Week, despite efforts to attract attendees by lowering registration rates and offering seminars on financial management to address an unstable music environment.

The GMA has already made significant staff reductions this year, reported The Tennessean. "We are dealing with the realities of our economy, and we're implementing a plan that will make the association a volunteer-driven organization with some staff support," said Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Music Group and chairman of the GMA board.

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