Stephen Hurd Gets Undignified

Integrity Gospel's Stephen Hurd (shown via GMWA-cam below) dropped in to let loose an audio segment. Check it out by clicking the audio link below.

What To Buy!? Hmmmmm.

The exhibitor's hall is where thousands mull over the various products for sale —with the big draws, of course, being the music. Large retailers, including Detroit's God's World and Charlotte's Ntime Music, plus many others, set up shop, displaying hundreds and hundreds of titles. Sometimes it's the best place to find that age-old album you've not been able to find elsewhere. This year, several high profile albums are being released during GMWA week. That includes new music from DeNetria Champ, Walter Hawkins, The GMWA Mass Choir, Twinkie Clark and John P. Kee.

James "JJ" Hairston of Youthful Praise, at Announcer's Guild

The Announcer's Guild track of the GMWA is going strong, as hundreds of radio and media people are flocking in to hear tips and testimonies, and get informed about new and upcoming music. Gospelflava.com's Melanie Clark tells about it via audio link (also pictured below via our GMWA-cam with James "JJ" Hairston, director of Youthful Praise). Hairston made a presentation today, to the announcers, thanking them for the support of the choir's Awesome God project, and giving info on the new Thank You For The Change project.

Deitrick Haddon, Youthful Praise, Donald Lawrence...

Ok, we are officially losing count now! The 'GMWA area' of Kansas City is now teaming with artists, both well-known and not (yet) so well-known. Verity Records artists are pouring in, Donald Lawrence continues to appear —he and Shea Norman (new artist on FHammond Music with solo disc coming Sept 2004) are heading to the Youth Forum this afternoon. Deitrick Haddon, who also has a new project releasing at the end of this month, sings tonight at the musical. Youthful Praise is in town, and also a slew of Sony Gospel artists, slated to perform today.

Israel & New Breed DVD Recording

Wayne Waller (see our GMWA-cam photo of him below!), of WPGC-AM/Heaven 1580 (Washington, DC) tags a line on the Israel & New Breed DVD recording last night. Listen in!

The standing-room-only live recording featured all of the powerful group's favorites, including "Friend Of God", "He Is Good" and a piano-only rendition of "Nothing Else Matters". Special guests included Martha Munizzi. The New Breed crew entered in denim attire, changing to all-white after intermission. The consensus is that this DVD project is one to watch! On Integrity Gospel.

Recap: Gospel Today Showcase

The Gospel Today Magazine showcase rocked the house, er, the Kansas City Music Hall, on Sunday afternoon, as the most prominent print entity in gospel celebrated their 15th year anniversary.

Things started with Axiom Records' Clarence Powell smoothing out his vocals (the Boston artist's solo joint hits within the year), followed by Crystal Rucker. Here's an artist that people have been waiting too long to hear! She brought the praise higher with "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" before DeWayne Woods and When Singers Meet, with guest soloist Lecretia Campbell, tore the place up with "Magnify". The group, which was introduced by Donald Lawrence (since they are on his Quiet Water Entertainment imprint, under Verity Records), also sang a couple more, including "El Shaddai", and another one with Campbell soloing.

Integrity's Stephen Hurd & Corporate Worship kept the crowd going with hits, "Undignified Praise" and "Solid Rock" from their recent album. Witness, another Axiom Records artist, also performed, with Lisa Page Brooks in fine form. After spoken word from Prophet Todd Hall, Tye Tribbett & G.A. smoked things, complete with their full band workings.