GMWA Recordings

The Kansas City convention marks the launch of GMWA Records, the GMWA's new recording company. Taking things into its own hands, the new offshoot will be handling the recording of the conventions numerous choir entities. This year, the recordings will take place during the day on Friday (Aug 13), with The Youth & Young Adult Mass Choir, The National Mass Choir, The Women of Worship and The Men of Promise.

In related news, the GMWA Tampa recording from last year is being released this week by Gospo Centric Records, the album features the National Mass Choir, the Youth Choir, the Men's Choir and the Women's Choir, with production from the acclaimed Sanchez Harley. Featured soloists include Dorinda Clark-Cole, Kervy Brown, Kierra Sheard, Bishop Albert Jamison, Earl Bynum and others.

Maurette Brown Clark Checks In

AIR Gospel's Maurette Brown Clark drops an audio spot on ya! (shown below with glasses with Gospelflava.com's Melanie Clark via GMWA-cam). Click the audio lik below. Brown Clark is fresh from her appearance at the AIR Gospel showcase last night, and getting all set for her first live recording for the label later this month in DC.

Youthful Praise at Showcase

It's the Light Records showcase, and that means Evidence Gospel artist Youthful Praise is there !! Melanie Clark sends in an audio report you can click below (and check out the GMWA-cam pic of the YP band warming up!) .

Twinkie Clark Releases New Album Today

Twinkie Clark releases her third solo project for Verity Records today, titled Home Once Again, Live in Detroit.

Sales are sure to be strong on this one, with the timing just right for GMWA week. Trying to find out if she will make an appearance at GMWA this week...

UPDATE (Wednesday Aug 11/04): Twinkie Clark will not heading to Kansas City this week. :-(

Donnie McClurkin Preaching

The Our Daily Bread service series continues at GMWA, a daily mid-day service at Hall A&B at the Convention Center that features nationally known ministers. Today is notable for the fact that Pastor Donnie McClurkin is slated to preach, with sermonic solo from Gospel Dream winner Benita Washington, who has just released her first project. Bishop Simon Gordon of Chicago is also expected to deliver a lecture during the service.

More Artist Signings: Helen Baylor

Several rumored signings, now one confirmed. MCG Records has announced that they have signed Helen "I had a praying grandmother" Baylor to a recording contract, reuniting her with veteran producer and songwriter Jerry Peters (who signed her to her first Gospel contract when with Word Records in the late 1980’s). Baylor’s MCG debut is slated for mid 2005.

Just to keep track now... the buzz over here is that Karen Clark-Sheard, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and also Darrell Petties & SIP will also be announced as having signed with major labels this week. Stay tuned!!

Recap: Sony Gospel Showcase

The Sony Gospel showcase stirred the crowds, and that was only when the saw the lineup of artists who were slated to minister. Israel & New Breed, fresh from their Sunday evening DVD recording session were first up, and had to quickly depart to catch their plane for their imminent Africa tour. Anthony Evans took the stage next, singing "Incredible" and a couple others from his recent InPop Music project, followed by LaShell Griffin. Anointed also sang, complete with band and female backup singer, bringing new stuff from their upcoming project. Then Kim Burrell ripped things to shreds with her two-song set —new music from her next solo project slated for 2005. Her husband accompanied Burrell on organ for the first song, and then she let things rip on the second, much as she did on her Sunday night appearance at the opening kickoff. The track on that popped people's eyes. Joe Pace and the Colorado Mass Choir also took to the stage. Things melted down when Tye Tribbett and G.A. sang, as they pulled masses of people to the front, many of whom came to watch his band, SoundCheck. This cat is cementing his reputation here at GMWA! Songs song included "G.A. Chant (No Way)" and "It's Time".

Notables in the crowd were Yolanda Adams, Richard Smallwood, Andrew Gouche, Albertina Walker, James "JJ" Hairston and Don Jackson of Central City Productions (of the Stellar Awards).

Now everyone is off to the AIR Gospel showcase, which is one of those waaaay late night shindigs. There's no sleeping in Kansas City!!