GMA Week 2006, which kicked off April 1, last night showcased the Radio and Retail Echo Awards, hosted by Christian Radio & Retail Weekly (CRW).

Introduced last year, the awards recognize Radio Industry Impact and Retail Industry Impact, plus Radio Programmer of the Year, Radio Personality of the Year, Chain Retailer of the Year and Independent Retailer of the Year.

For the retail spectrum, Family Christian Stores was awarded Chain Retailer of the Year, while Steve Johnson, manager of grand openings and local events for Family, was awarded the Retail Industry Impact Award. Online retailer MusicChristian.com was awarded Independent Retailer of the Year.

Actor Judge Reinhold (Beverly Hills Cop, The Santa Clause) hosted the ceremony, which also featured performances by Selah, Krystal Meyers, George Huff and Martha Munizzi.

The awards followed the Hot Issues Networking Power Brunch, sponsored by Focus on the Family. The brunch featured more than 40 tables and table hosts, each with designated topics ranging from “Motivating the Music Employee,” with Tooth & Nail Records' Director of Sales, Kevin Shepherd, to “Making SoundScan Work for You,” with Mardel's Music Buyer, Mike Snowdon.

Retailers also were able to join in other Sunday activities, such as the Artist Welcoming Reception, sponsored by CRW; Curb Records' Sunday Sundae! ice cream social; and the Sunday Evening Worship service, featuring Passion founder Louie Giglio and artists Charlie Hall, David Crowder Band and Chris Tomlin. Immediately after the service, the annual Songwriter Showcase, sponsored by ASCAP/SongTouch.com, featured songs and performances by Matthew West, Mark Hall, Third Day, Bebo Norman, BarlowGirl, Tomlin and many others.