The latest from our team of roving reporters and columnists, on site in Kansas City at the 37th Annual National Convention of the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), ongoing from August 7 - 13, 2004.
Gospelflava.com's quartet columnist, Ms. Willie McClendon, drops an audio report on the various quartet activities that occurred at the end of the GMWA week. Listen in by clicking below! And stay tuned to her Shouts and Drives column.
The annual Tribute To The King concert was held on Wednesday night, honoring the memory of GMWA founder, Rev. James Cleveland. Artists performing included DeWayne Harvey and Unrestrained Praise, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, Lynda Randle, Joe Pace and Stephen Hurd. Also there was the legendary Darius Brooks. He filed this audio report (click below to hear him!)
PAJAM whiz kid, J.Moss has whirled into town for appearances today and this evening at the convention wrap-up.
Today is the day that the various GMWA recording choirs show their stuff, putting it down on disc, after a full week of rehearsals. The The Youth & Young Adult Mass Choir, The National Mass Choir, The Women of Worship and The Men of Promise are all recording today, with the newly-formed GMWA Records (the GMWA's new recording company) handling the process. The label will be distributed by Compendia Music Group.
After the recording sessions, the entire entourage brings their ministry to the convention's send-off concert, tonight.
The Utopia Music Group / Taesis Distribution showcase brought the house down last night with their midnight showcase. Pastor Nancy Wilson opened things up with a set, before VaShawn Mitchell, Bishop Larry Trotter, DeAndre Patterson and others took the mics in hand to deliver their respective ministries. Then label execs introduced an astounding young 14-year old talent recently signed to Utopia, and who hails from Clarkville, Tennesse (just outside Memphis), who brought the crowd to their feet.
Everyone showed out at Thursday afternoon's Youth Forum, as Pastor John P. Kee showed up, with his alter-ego, Lil' Rufus, in tow. Kee just sang and sang, mixing in news songs from his solo album The Color of Music, and also adding old favorites such as "God of Mercy". Kee also handed out gifts to honor his record label, Verity Records, who are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.
Link to John P. Kee discography.
GMWA is far from over, and while some people are still arriving, others have to catch flights to return home. Gospelflava.com's Melanie Clark leaves Kansas City, heads to the airport (see image from GMWA-cam below), and files this audio report! Click on the audio link below.
Artists, industry executives, fans, yes they are all in attendance at GMWA. But there's also a slew of media hanging around, aiming for coverage. That includes radio, several stations who have set up on-location live booths, and also print media and of course, internet! Gospelflava.com was joined by other online media, including Veda Brown of BlackGospelPromo.com. Veda sends a shoutout to everyone. Check the audio by clicking on the link below.
Muscle Shoals Gospel Sound artist Lonnie Hunter, director of The Voices of St. Mark, dropped into Kansas City —the hype was about his imminent DVD release, set to hit retail in the next weeks. Check his audio spot by clicking below!
Industry veteran Neily Dickerson, who heads up both Churchhowse Music and The ND Company, took a breather from the goings-on at GMWA, and checks in with Gospelflava.com to fill us in. Click on the audio link below!
EMI Gospel artist Kierra "Kiki" Sheard gives an audio report on her GMWA experience. Click on the audio link below! Her debut project, I Owe You, releases Sept 7, 2004, and she was busy this week, singing at various GMWA events.
The daily Youth Forums have really taken off this year, perhaps due to their better placement this year (late afternoons, compared to late evenings the past few years, where they often competed with concurrent events). Highlights this week have been: Kirk Franklin's moments on Wednesday, Youthful Praise and James Fortune & FIYA (who comes on strong this month with their debut project on World Wide Gospel). Also spotted were Men of Standard and plenty more.
The Prince of Gospel is in town. Yes, yesterday may have been Founder's Day (the GMWA's annual remembering of Rev. James Cleveland), but today it's all John P. Kee. The Pastor pulled in last night, and will be scattering around GMWA-land all day today. There's the VIP presentation to radio announcers (plugging his new album), there's the listening / performance party, there's his appearance this afternoon at the GMWA Youth Forum, and other stuff too. Kee's new solo album, The Color of Music, released this week, on Verity Records.
Everyone is heading over to the Word Records / Central South Gospel showcase, slated for this afternoon. The buzz continues that this is where we'll hear confirmation of Karen Clark-Sheard's signing to the newly-rejuvenated Gospel division of the established label. Singing will be urban group Generation J, and also Chicago group Fortitude (who deliver their label debut on August 24/04), along with Ted & Sheri, who release their sophomore album in October. The Ted & Sheri release is said to include special guests Walter Hawkins and Yvette Flunder, on a Hawkins remake cut.
Word is that the next GMWA Annual Convention will be held in Milwaukee in 2005, followed by Orlando, Florida in 2006.
The EMI Gospel late-night showcase went until 3:00 AM on Tuesday night. Hosted by Darius Brooks, the splashy affair included Kierra "Kiki" Sheard, who got everyone on their feet with her summer single (already out to retail) "You Don't Know".
LaShun Pace sang two songs from her upcoming EMI Gospel debut ("Hey" and "For My Good"), and the newly signed Williams Sisters also performed, along with Vicki Yohe. Memphis' Darrell Petties and SIP also took to the front.
Micah Stampley of Dexterity Sound sang, and then returned to solo on "Servant's Prayer" wtih Kevin Bond & New Birth Total Praise Choir.
Smokie Norful was unable to attend, since he is 'locked up' in studio, but there was a video presentation from him, where he presented a taste of what's to come from his upcoming sophomore release, slated for Oct 5, 2004.
Darius Brooks closed the evening with a performce of his hit single "Your Will".
EMI Gospel confirmed that they have signed The Mighty Clouds of Joy to the label.
Hot like flapjacks, these are flying off the shelves at the exhibitor's hall:
Ricky Dillard & New G's Unplugged DVD
Twinkie Clark's Home Once Again, Live in Detroit
Youthful Praise's Thank You For the Change
John P. Kee 's new solo album, The Color of Music
...and the GMWA Tampa Experience album from Gospo Centric, the recording from last year's GMWA. Label staff are running to the various rehearsals, offering them for sale, and they are being snapped up!!
It's Wednesday, and GMWA is now just over the half-way mark, but that doesn't mean that people aren't still arriving. Fred Hammond pulls in today for appearances. More later!
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.
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.
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 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. :-(
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.
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!!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
New urban gospel magazine, XII Magazine, sponsored a Sunday afternoon outdoor reception at the Barney Allis Plaza, featuring plenty of free chicken. The St. Louis-based hard copy rag intends to issue quarterly, and puts the focus on urban Gospel. After starting a little due to rain, the launch party featured a fashion show (with designers from NY and Kansas City), and also music from Bajada Records artist Vanessa Williams (who created a stir by arriving via Harley Davidson), Verity artist DeWayne Woods and also Ziklag Boys and several other impressive independents.
Sunday morning started at the Convention Center with the Annual Communion and Consecration Service, with this year's color theme being white with red accessories. Elder Willie James Campbell of St. James COGIC, Chicago, delivered the sermon, preaching from the Word, and encouraging and and reminding everyone that in the new life in Jesus Christ, we are coming out —that life is better. Yolanda Adams delivered the sermonic solo, not letting the fact that the track to her song failed near the beginning. She simply switched to an acappella version of "I Surrender All". The Kansas City Chapter, the Thurston Frazier Memorial Chorale and The James Cleveland Chorus also delivered musical ministry.
EMI Gospel looks to be represented strongly this week. The recently signed LaShun Pace is in town, set to appear tonight. Also slated to arrive this week are Darius Brooks, Kierra Sheard, Michah Stampley, Darlene McCoy, The Williams Sisters and V3. The Mighty Clouds of Joy will also shortly be announced as newly signed to the label —the legendary group is also in town, sure to set the quartet division afire later this week.
Are you in Kansas City too? Have you heard any news or seen anything that Gospelflava.com should know about? Submit it via email, and we may post it on this page, giving you credit.
