The GMWA Annual Convention is a week so jam-packed with concerts, events, services, showcases and exhibits that you’d be excused for mistaking the goings on for an insomniacs get-together.

This year’s edition was held in Minneapolis from August 11th through to August 17th. The tens of thousands in attendance knew it would be success from the moment they realized that every single venue was somehow linked and accessible by overhead skywalks.

Here’s PART ONE (more upcoming) of our take on the highlights throughout the event. Be sure to click on the various photo features described throughout, for even more photos.


Live Recordings
No less than five live GMWA choir recordings held during the week, ranging from the Women of Worship (on Aleho) to the Men of Promise (on Tyscot) to the James Cleveland’s GMWA Mass Choir (on MCG Records) to the vibrant energy of the GMWA Youth Mass Choir, captured by Holy Roller Records. MCG also recorded the James Cleveland Chorus, who presented a comforting collection of familiar Cleveland classics.

New Artist Showcases
Dozens upon dozens of new names sang and ministered in the special New Artist showcases that were held daily. Several impressed, particularly Eric Cobbins and the Ministry with their hit “Calvary” (see album review). They also caught the attention of a local Minneapolis television station who requested that they be filmed for the evening news.

Youthful Praise
Newly signed to the Evidence Gospel label, the church choir from Bishop J.C. White’s church (Turner’s Faith Temple in Bridgeport, Connecticut) stunned crowds all week long with their heady blasts of song and power. “Awesome God”, “Deliver” and

Youthful Praise Movie

Hear and see Youthful Praise singing "Awesome God" at the GMWA in Minneapolis. Click on the image to get the film rolling!

“Song of Praise” were being hummed in corridors all week, as the choir delivered at the post-Excellence Awards showcase and also during Daily Bread sessions, GMWA Youth Forum and the Tribute to the King Concert. (Check our photo feature for Youthful Praise by clicking here.)

The Williams: Melvin and Lee
It was a study of contrasts. Melvin Williams of The Williams Brothers and Lee Williams of the Spiritual QCs took the stage during the Malaco showcase for their hit "Cooling Waters" from Doug and Melvin Williams' Duet project on Blackberry Records. Both were exceptional, and the crowd delighted in seeing the reserved physical style of Lee (practically the only movement were his lips and his tapping toe) contrast with that of Melvin, who literally didn't stop moving for the entire song, as spinning, whirling, bending, Melvin went in orbit around Lee. (Check our photo feature for Melvin and Lee Williams by clicking here.)

In Case You Missed Them
Love Fellowship Crusade Choir’s Monique Walker made a cameo appearance with the New York State Mass Choir when they sang their two-song set during their nightly musical appearance.

The female trio Irayna brought the crowd to their feet with their tight harmonies on the song "If You're Gonna Worry, (Don't Pray)", as did new sensations Chapter Five, who continued to impress outside the confines of the stage with spontaneous hallway acappella improvisations, paving the way for their upcoming project on the Affiliation label.

Tramaine Hawkins brought it all back home. Encouraged by spontaneous piano intros of her previous hits such as “Changed” from Kurt Carr, and with Calvin Bernard Rhone flailing his arms in front of choir support, Hawkins showed everyone that is as capable of bringing a tear to the eye as she has ever been. And her new material, especially “Justified By Faith”, is just as strong. (Check our photo feature for Tramaine by clicking here.)

Restine Jackson & Grace took midnight to another level during their GMWA Youth Forum appearances. Others on slate at these nightly energy risers hosted by Miche Waller, were Byron Cage, John P. Kee and Londa Larmond.

In her wheelchair, Mother Albertina Walker was everywhere all week, up early, staying late, obviously revelling in every GMWA moment. She even sang a few notes at the a morning Daily Bread services when handed the mic.

Spotted around the area all week were Alex Asaph Ward who has several projects cooking, new female trio Ablaize from Your Move Music (with posters plastered all over the place, including the washrooms), Benji Cone III, Pharis Evans Jr., Shawn McLemore and Nikki Ross, Keith Pringle, Cedric Ford, Juana Records’ new Detroit choir man Ernest Lee, husband and wife duos Blair (of Texas) and Larry and Marrissa (of New York).

We Did Miss Them
Several were disappointed not to see the following artists who did not make it to GMWA this year due to prior committments: Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Vickie Winans.

Shirley Murdock

Shirley Murdock speaks about her new music. Click on her image to start the film rolling!

Dayton Funk
Rufus Troutman appeared in the first of two showcases that Marxan Records participated in during the week. Amidst smoke and funk, Troutman intro’d his vocoder praise, including the “Amazing Grace” tribute to his late uncle, voicebox pioneer Roger Troutman.

Fellow Dayton artist Shirley Murdock was in attendance for much of the week, in anticipation of her upcoming work on this fall’s Woman Thou Art Loosed project as well as her upcoming solo project for Dexterity Sound/EMI Gospel.

The Tonéxs
Both Tonéx and Mrs. Tonéx were seen through much of the week, as artists (both at the Mary Mary presentation, Mrs. Tonéx at the Tommy Boy Gospel showcase, where she set ears afire with her take on the song “Babyface” from the MSS Revolution: The Hostile Takeover project) or as hosts (for the Verity Records showcase), where Tonéx's impromptu prophetic service that left no stone unturned, including record executives. (Check our photo feature for Tonéx and Mrs. Tonéx by clicking here.)