The Faith Centered Music Association was founded in 1997 by a group of unrelated industry members in response to changing dynamics in the market of faith-centered music. In spite of steady growth in the number of artists and labels, the music was still largely overlooked--in part because of a perception held by many that music created in this market was less desirable than what was available outside of it. The practical reality, of course, is that no industry survives without sufficient consumers who care about its product. It was becoming imperative to undertake some wide-ranging, positive publicity and marketing in order to broaden the consumer base in proportion to the growing amount of LDS music that was becoming available.

Viability in the marketplace is essential, but the viability issue wasn't purely about economics. It was about the higher purpose, the reason we do what we do--to reach, lift and inspire through music that truly makes a difference for those who hear it. The idea was forming that if we create music with a purpose, perhaps we also have the responsibility to make sure it is heard.

Drawing the public's attention to the industry was part of the answer. So was finding a way to guide them to the best of what the industry had to offer, making it more likely that a first-time listener would become a loyal one. (And in the spirit of creating music worthy of the message, it was hoped that the endeavor would also establish a standard of excellence for members of the industry to meet.)

Motivated by a shared higher purpose, a sense of stewardship, and a desire to raise the bar, the dialogue among the founding members of the FCMA went something like this: how do we set a standard of excellence worthy of what we have to say and how do we preserve and expand our audience? How do we raise both the quality of what we create and the awareness of those we are creating it for?

The FCMA was formed to give structure to the dialogue and to establish an independent organization where industry leaders could work together to accomplish common goals. The mission statement has virtually remained as it was originally stated:

The Faith Centered Music Association is a professional organization that unites musicians, industry leaders, and others who are interested in raising the quality and expanding the reach of uplifting and faith promoting music within the LDS community. Our primary areas of focus are: education & mentoring, public relations, and service.

Initially, efforts were directed to public relations. The goal was to get our market in front of as many listeners as possible and to make sure they heard the very best we had to offer. And thus began the Pearl Awards - awards of merit voted upon by the FCMA voting membership to recognize achievement in recorded music. It would be a peer vote, giving our industry the opportunity to set the standard for itself. By opening the awards event to the public and taping it for television broadcast, it began to showcase the quality and diversity of our music to the broadest possible audience.

During the organization's first year, members of the music community united for a service project when a beloved friend and artist passed away. It was a powerful experience for those FCMA members who participated and it inspired the commitment to service stated in the FCMA mission. Service initiatives over the years have ranged from the KSL radio-thon and Habitat for Humanity to benefit concerts and hand-made fleece blankets for Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City. Reinforcing the value of making service part of an artist's contribution, the Board of Directors created the Rich Gibbons Humanitarian Service Award which has been given to members who have made service outside of the entertainment industry a significant part of their life's work.

With a growing associate membership, the FCMA Music Workshop was created to address the needs of students and others with a desire to learn more about both the craft and the business of music. It has also become a means for seasoned professionals to offer one-on-one feedback and mentoring in an educational setting. The annual workshop offers sessions presented by industry leaders from all areas of the business - songwriting, publishing, recording, management, legal services, operations, marketing, and artist development, to name a few. The FCMA has also recently created a scholarship program to assist promising young artists in their pursuit of creative excellence.

Over the ten years since its inception, the FCMA has had over 400 members and is constantly growing. While initially formed to address the concerns of faith-centered music, it has expanded to embrace artists who create all types of music from a values-based point of view (as of 2007, the organization recognizes achievement in twelve musical genres).

Membership is open to members of the music industry in all creative and business roles as well as students and those who have a strong interest in faith-centered music.

The FCMA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who represent various aspects of the industry. The board is augmented by an assistant whose services are donated by a sponsoring record label and ad-hoc sub-committees who operate from time to time under the direction of various board members. The organization is funded by private donations and fund-raising initiatives, such as the Pearl Awards highlights CDs that have been commercially released from time to time. Member dues are minimal, and are used to offset a portion of administrative costs.