Here's PART TWO of our recap of the GMWA Annual Convention that took place from August 11th through to August 17th 2001 in Minneapolis.

It's not possible to cover it all, and we certainly weren't everywhere at the same time. But take a stroll down this page, and also Part One of this series, and you'll get a good perspective of what went on.


Gospel Announcers Guild Showcases
First off the block for the week was the Church Howse Music / MCA Records / ASCAP / Evidence Gospel showcase that featured a midnight breakfast after the Sunday evening GMWA Excellence Awards presentations. Preluded by invitations that came packaged with scented candles, the event featured the sizzling Youthful Praise choir, followed by Ted & Sheri and then Pam & Dodi. Richard Smallwood made a surprise and guest showing on piano.

Yolanda Adams sang, sang, sang during an evening for the Announcer’s Guild, backed by sizzling band stylings. She sang hits and also previewed music to appear on her next Elektra project, including a self-penned song about her new daughter Taylor.

Several other label showcases were presented throughout the week, some of which are highlighted below.

Deitrick Haddon
While we didn’t hear live selections from his latest —Supernatural— from Tyscot, we did see the Detroit whiz kid, as was present at several events. At the multi-label showcase that Tyscot participated in, he debuted the new video for the single, “Rain On Me” from his new album, an awesome display of vocal exhuberance and drama that features Vanessa Bell Armstrong. Check out our photo feature of numerous different artists, including Deitrick Haddon and Generation J.

Mary Mary
The Gospel Announcer’s Guild spent an entire evening given over to the sisterly duo from Columbia Records. In addition to some new material from their upcoming Happy project due out in several months, Mary Mary saaaaang a ripping cover of the Hawkins classic, “Thank You”, and passed themic to spirited crew of artist colleagues they spied in the crowd, including Lowell Pye, Lisa Page Brooks, Shawn McLemore, Tonéx, Mrs. Tonéx and Kim Burrell. Check out our feature of the Mary Mary evening.

Industry News Announcements
The annual convention usually plays host to several big industry announcements, and this year was no exception.

EMI Gospel announced the signing of singer/songwriter Smokie Norful, while Verity and Tyscot exulted in delivering the double news that Deitrick Haddon is signed to a solo artist with Verity and his church choir Voices of Unity featuring Deitrick Haddon has embarked on a long term recording contract with Tyscot.

Al Hobbs debuted his new label, Debut Gospel by introducing the sounds of roots guitarist E.L. Milton and Tommy Jones and the Christian Music Workshop Choir. Check out our feature of Debut Gospel artists.

Organ Maestros
It was great viewing just watching the hordes watching keyboard maestro after keyboard maestro take their place behind several of the organ-focused businesses who took root at the exhibition hall all week. Melvin Crispell’s fingerwork caused the crowds to press close at the Wheatworks exhibit. Check out our feature of band photos, including psalmists David Blakey, Al Willis and Richard Smallwood.

Autographs
Autograph sessions were in full force throughout the week, with Virtue, Woody Rock, Ricky Grundy, Richard Smallwood, Greg O’quin and others drawing numbers.

Re-Entries
Rudolph Stanfield needed no introduction, as throngs were anxious to hear him and his new-look New Revelation. The ensemble premiered the Malaco showcase, bringing out their suprisingly contemporary sounds along with some traditional tunes. Minister Kenny Wells solo’d on one cut.

Also at the Malaco event was LaShun Pace, who belted out new music from her new CD and touched all with her dedication to her young daugher Xenia who recently passed away.

Virtue’s emotional offering at the Verity showcase showed the now-trio to be a little nervous at how they would be received in their trimmed down version (Negelle Sumpter departed amicably from the group several weeks ago), however the crowd loved them still. Check out our feature of Virtue.

Richard Smallwood and Vision hardly needed to convince a crowd to attend their showcase event. As the headliners for the Verity Records showcase, the lineup to get in was immense, even at 12:30 after midnight.