A NEW one-day, in door festival has been launched by Nelson Word. The Premier Festival is to be held on 20th August 1994 at Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham - will feature Larry Norman And Band, Dakoda Motor Co, Ashley Cleveland (pictured), Sixpence None The Richer, Clay Crosse, Split Level and Pam Thum And Band. Said Nelson Word's Jonathan Brown, "There are so many CCM artists, particularly in America, with superlative CDs out yet who remain relatively unknown to Britain's Christian public. The Premier Festival will be an important way of allowing the public to hear more of the wealth of talent that's out there."

Commenting on any criticism that the event, being so close to Greenbelt, might be construed as competition to Britain's longest running Christian arts festival Brown responded, "That was never our intention. We are grateful for the support Greenbelt has given Nelson Word in the past and intend to work with them in the future.

It's just that many top American artists are in Europe for the Flevo Festival (Holland's top Christian music event) and this is a great opportunity to bring them over for the British public to see."

It is expected that between 2,000-3,000 will attend Premier which includes in its ticket price a limited edition CD featuring the artists playing the festival.