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

Be sure to also check out Part One and Part Twoof this series for a good perspective of what went on.


Minneapolis Pride
Hometown heroes Excelsior smoked the house in their several appearances, showing that Minneapolis has choir power in abundance. Their energy made their recent release on Verity Records come alive off the wax.

Tasty Chicken
The surprising tasty fried chicken at the fast-food service outlet was snapped up at the convention center, where the nightly musicals and exhibition hall were located. Chicken was also in abundance at several of the industry-track showcases.

Exhibition Hall
Speaking of the exhibition hall, this year saw wares from the usual collection of CDs, videos, sheet music, barber items, T-shirts and jewelry to more unusual items such as Bishop’s chairs (including one that presented as a head-turning orate vision of purple and gold).

God’s Property
God’s Property showcased their new sounds at the Hilton during one of the daily Manufacturing Showcases. As appealing as ever, and rooted in the Word over hype, their showing is bound to only increase the already high anticipation for their next project.

EMI Gospel Roundup
With a colorful and fact-full GMWA special edition of the EMI Gospel Times seemingly everywhere, the force of the label’s roster was in effect all week.

Newly signed Smokie Norful’s vocal rendering behind keyboards at the EMI Gospel showcase for the Gospel Announcer’s Guild caused instant rising to feet among the hundreds in attendance.

Londa Larmond showed up for late night youth services only to find her voice gone the next day for her EMI Gospel Showcase appearance. To her credit and endearing her to many, she didn’t let that stop the ministry, as she appeared with band and backing group anyhow, delivering her testimony and encouragment.

Also on the EMI Gospel showcase were Shirley Murdock, Beverly Crawford and LeJuene Thompson, who whetted the musical appetite for her upcoming Soul Inspiration album. Her soulful cover of The Clark Sisters’ “You Brought The Sunshine” stopped many in mid-mouthful. Brent Jones and his TP Mobb also debuted upcoming material.

Candle Invitations
Invitation innovations and showcase themes abounded through the week. EMI Gospel’s “Heart of the Matter” showcase theme was emphasized by their thickly informative label newspaper. Both Tommy Boy Gospel and Church Howse Music, Evidence Gospel / MCA / ASCAP used catchy candles to highlight their showcases.

Non-Stop Gospel Television
The non-stop Gospel video channel playing on the in-room televisions at the bigger hotels ensured that you need not miss new music, even if you decided to hole up in your room for a day or so. Footage from Londa Larmond, Richard Smallwood, Virtue, Dr. Ed Montgomery and Abundant Life Choir and others were featured.

Newcomers
Ted & Sheri created waves, both at their showcase appearances (Sunday late night with Pam & Dodi from MCA, and Youthful Praise from Evidence Gospel). Their version of “Come Ye Disconsolate” was the buzz, and will no doubt continue to be with the recent release of their project on Church Howse Music.

New name for most but veteran on many stages, Liz McComb caused as stir at the multi-label showcase that included Crystal Rose Records. Sitting behind piano and with video flashing around her, she poured out old school, soul-soaked tunes from her recent album.

GMWA Excellence Awards
Rev. Norman Hutchins brought the house down in performance at the drawn-out GMWA Excellence Awards ceremony on Sunday evening. Praise breaks were in abundance all night long, as organizers did not discourage ‘church’ from occurring Get your complete results here.

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 feataures Vanessa Bell Armstrong.