Minister Isaac T. S. Lindsey is not only a Gospel Music enthusiast with over fourteen years experience in media such as radio, television and print, he is also a member of and the manager for The Windy City Spiritualaires of Chicago, Illinois. Minister Lindsey is also an Advisory Board Member of The American Gospel Quartet Convention.

Here, he provides his perspective on the quartet division highlights at the 35th Annual Convention of The GMWA in Detroit, Michigan August 10-16, 2002.

The National Quartet Division of The Gospel Music Workshop of America and Chairman Brother Tyrone Porter hosted a series of wonderful events during the 35th Annual Convention of The GMWA in Detroit, Michigan August 10-16, 2002. Here are some of the highlights from two of the services including "The Salute To The Pioneers" and "The Quartet Division Showcase Gospel Explosion".


The Salute To The Pioneers" —August 14, 2002

Hundreds gathered in the Riverview Ballroom of The Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit for "The Salute To The Pioneers". Producer, Brother Gloster Williams treated the audience to a collection of vintage recordings from the legendary groups and challenged audience members to name the artist as each song played over the hall's sound system. There was a lady who knew most of them so she received a gift for her extensive knowledge of the quartet music industry.

Next, Blackberry Records recording artists, The Bolton Brothers of McClain, Mississippi conducted anointed devotional services. Chairman Tyrone Porter greeted and welcomed everyone. As the audience rose to their feet, the pioneers were all introduced, escorted, and seated with the red carpet treatment as they walked the red carpet to their signature songs being played in the background. Some of the pioneers who were introduced and who were in attendance included members of The Caravans, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain, The Canton Spirituals, The Williams Brothers, The Pilgrim Jubilees, The Jackson Southernaires, Slim & The Supreme Angels, Tommy Ellison & The Singing Stars, The Rance Allen Group, The Fantastic Violinaires, The Gospel Keynotes, Sister Lucille Pope & The Pearly Gates, Rev. Thomas Spann & The Brooklyn All-Stars, Bill & Essie Moss & The Celestials, Mildred Clark & The Melodyaires, and The Gospelaires.

After the pioneers were seated, the audience remained on their feet as Vicki Winans and Rick Joiner of The Light brought on "The Queen of Gospel — Sister Albertina Walker" who was backed by a live band and background singers from Chicago known as Arthur Sutton & The Gift of Praise. She took the mic and blessed us with her latest charting signature hit, "I'm Still Here". "The Queen" wrecked the place in the first 30 seconds of the song and by the time that she finished there was not a dry eye in the house. She continued in song with one her biggest hits from back in the day "I Can Go To God In Prayer" and called on her friend and Caravan alumnus, The Storyteller — Evangelist Dorothy Norwood who came out and took the song up a little higher. These ladies proved that even at their seasoned ages in their respective song ministries; they are still true masters of song and stage.




Then our insides were shaken to the laughter of Sister Trina Jeffrie also known as "Sister Cantelope". She came in gossiping on the phone and cracked jokes about herself, audience members, quartets, Tyrone Porter, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood and Vicki Winans who were laughing so hard they were crying.

Next, Melvin Williams, Paul Porter, and two other gentlemen came out on stage dressed in tuxedos and they took us down memory lane as they covered songs by some of the pioneers.

The house was not prepared for what was coming next. It was the incomparable Pastor Rance Allen of The Rance Allen Group. They came to the floor with a rocking Quartet drive song. They literally drove the house into a Holy Ghost frenzy and people were all over the place shouting in the aisles. I am a lifelong Rance Allen fan and I've seen The Rance Allen Group many times but in all of my years of experiencing their ministry, I have never seen them demolish a place the way that they did in Detroit. I had to get on my cell phone and call my friend Pastor Anthony Spencer back in Chicago and let him hear it for himself and he almost started shouting on the phone. After literally wrecking the house with their first song, they treated us to a new song from their new CD on Tyscot Records entitled "Do Your Will". Rance got his dance on during this song and the audience joined him.

We were then blessed by Detroit's native sons, The Fantastic Violinaires as they sang "The Lord's Prayer" hidden in the audience in their seats. People were looking around trying to find out where was that sweet sound coming from and no one knew until the end of the song when The Violinaires stood up and revealed themselves.

We were then treated to a short documentary film about the pioneers that featured great nuggets of information, interviews with the pioneers, and performance snippets. The film was created courtesy of NFL/New Orleans Saints Football Star — Joe Horn of The Joe Horn Music Foundation who is providing funding to create health and retirement initiatives for the Pioneers. Mr. Horn was not in attendance but we were favored with remarks from his mother, who is a former quartet singer and his brother, who is also a big fan of quartet and a staff member for United States Vice-President Dick Cheney.

Next up were The Blind Boys of Alabama featuring Clarence Fountain. They sang a tune from their new Higher Ground album on EMI Gospel / Real World Records. They were short and sweet and the audience loved them.

GMWA National Quartet Division Chairman, Brother Tyrone Porter came back out and honored the pioneers with a short speech. He then presented a Special Recognition Award to Minister George W. Stewart, the Founder and Director of The American Gospel Quartet Convention for his special contributions to help keep quartet music alive. George's son Ken accepted the award in is father's absence. Others who were given special recognition awards and plaques included Luther Barnes for his work with The North Carolina Fall Gospel Classic, Roy & Esther Wooten for their continued support of Quartet Gospel in all areas, Janie Turner for her work with The Blockbuster National Showcase Convention, and Sam Scott for his work in the area of promotions for Quartet Gospel.

It was time to go to church again and this time it was with Sister Evelyn Turrentine-Agee & The Warriors, WOS/World Wide recording artists. Evelyn gave honor and tributes to the legends who were in attendance and she especially thanked Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, and Mildred Clark for helping her to get to where she is. Then, Evelyn and company sang an up-tempo song that was recorded many years ago by Mildred Clark & The Melodyaires entitled "I'm Working For Jesus".

The audience loved it and they were on their feet before Evelyn even got to the second stanza. Before we knew it people were shouting and one gentleman was literally jumping for joy. You could see that even Sister Mildred Clark herself was getting happy. After barely getting through that song without being overcome with emotion, Evelyn began to minister as the Warriors sang "Come By Here" followed by her signature hit, "God Did It". This was the moment of the night for many of the fans who were in attendance. The Warriors really didn't have to sing on this one because the audience became Evelyn's choir. It was a time of jubilee!

Wednesday night ended with a tribute to the pioneers in song with members of several groups participating including Chequita Lumzy & The Lumzy Sisters, Paul Porter & The Christianaires, Melvin Williams, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson, The Bolton Brothers, Evelyn Turrentine-Agee & The Warriors, Pastor Neal Roberson, and many others.

Congratulations goes to The National Quartet Division of The Gospel Music Workshop of America and Chairman Brother Tyrone Porter for honoring our Pioneers with such an awesome service and salute.



The GMWA National Quartet Division Showcase Gospel Explosion 2002 —August 15, 2002

Thousands gathered in the Riverview Ballroom of The Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center in Detroit for The Quartet Division Showcase Gospel Explosion Concert. Members of The Bolton Brothers, The Southern Sons, and The Fantastic Jones Family conducted the devotional services.

After the devotion, the MC's Professor Bobby Hurd, Ruby Summerville-Dickson, and Kenneth "Guess-Who" Lackey was introduced and the Explosion was underway. The first group up was Sister Mary McLaurine-Glover & Company from Cleveland, Ohio. They sang a new song entitled "Time Out" and an anointed version of "By The Grace". Mary's powerful vocal style reminds you of Shirley Caesar and she knows how to take you to Church.

The Shepherds of Flint, Michigan were next and they sang a wonderful arrangement of the hymn "The Blood" as well as their signature hit, "God Is". They rocked the house and the fans loved them.

We went back to Cleveland, Ohio and heard from another group called The Thompson Singers, who presented a tribute to Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers with a medley of "Wonderful and Jesus, Be A Fence". They were very smooth and were well received.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin was the next stop and we were blessed by the music ministry of The Luckett Brothers. Their first song was "God's Getting Us Ready" and their second song was "Look Where He Me From". Lead singer James Luckett was in rare form as he walked off the stage into the audience as he went to work. They went to their seats with a standing ovation.

Detroit, Michigan will never be the same after experiencing the powerful, anointed, and energetic ministry of Rabo Records recording artists, Ronica & The Mighty Blazing Stars of Mooresville, North Carolina. They came up on "Tell Jesus" and they went to work on "How Blessed You Are". Ronica sang until it seemed like you could see the Angels encamped about her. The band that features her father on lead guitar, her brother on bass, and her son on drums, played and danced for about two minutes after she left the stage to the crowd's delight. They proved that you can tear a house down in less than ten (10) minutes.

Pioneer, Rev. Thomas Spann & The Brooklyn All-Stars were next and they came on as smooth as ever. They sang one of their hits that was written by the late Rev. James Cleveland entitled "No Cross, No Crown and another song entitled "Let Me Lean On You". Rev. Spann and his group were as impressive as ever.

Next up, The McDonald Sisters of Fayetteville, North Carolina graced the stage with "Depending On You". They also sang "Lord, Remember Me", and "He Has Done Great Things". They gave a very spirit-filled performance and the audience loved them.

Detroit natives, Bill & Essie Moss & The Celestials, 2002 pioneers, came on stage to a standing ovation with "Use What You've Got". They also shared a hymn and their signature hit "I've Already Been To The Water". They are still using what they got in an effective way.

Our next stop was in Memphis, Tennessee with Gilliam Music Group recording artists, The Southern Sons featuring Bob Holloway. "I'm Going Through" was their first song and they went straight to church with their next song entitled "Come Out The Wilderness". They wrecked the house as Bob sang under the anointing and showed the audience that "his feet got light". Everyone loved them.

Pioneers, Tommy Ellison & The Singing Stars (AIR Gospel recording artists) came on stage like a smooth Detroit Motown group singing "Shining Star". They stayed mellow and smooth with "Father Please Stand By Me", and one chorus of "Let This Be A Lesson To You" before going to work with "Holy Ghost". This group was all over the stage with perfect precision and choreography featuring Tommy, his bass, lead, and rhythm guitarists. I am still trying to figure out how those guys can dance like that and play those guitars at the same time. They put on quite a show for the audience.

AIR Records' top selling male artist, Luther Barnes was next and he came on to a standing ovation with a ballad that he recorded with The Sunset Jubilaires entitled "Wherever I Go". Then, he drove the house with his popular radio hit "Leaning On Jesus". Luther sang solo with the accompaniment of tracks, but he did it with such spirit and perfection; so, when the track ended, the people kept on singing backup for Luther and praising God.

We traveled to Atlanta, Georgia next and heard from The Gospel Gents, who favored us with a nice tune entitled "Full Time Christian" and then they went to work with the up-tempo "He's Everything To Me". They were very good and kind of put you in the mind of a younger version of Troy Ramey & The Soul Searchers.

To the delight of the fans, The Bolton Brothers of McClain, Mississippi was introduced next and they came up on "Sho' Do Need Him Now". They also blessed us with "Let It Be Real" and their popular radio hit "Come and Go" on Blackberry Records.

Detroit's pioneers, The Fantastic Violinaires came on next to their standard theme "Children Are You Ready" featuring two of the members of the founding set of The Fantastic Violinaires. "Trying To Get Ready" was their second song and they did a wonderful job!

We took a trip to Texas next and heard from The Texas Boyz as they came to the stage singing "Two Faced Church Folk" from their new Blackberry Records release. Rev. Cecil Washington decided to sing a ballad next entitled "We Praise You" and then go to church with The Texas Boyz' signature "One More Time" also known as "The Texas Kick Song". They left the stage with the audience begging for more.

Jet Records recording artists, The Holy Spiritualaires of Laurel, Mississippi were next and they came out singing "Are You Ready". They also did a wonderful version of "The Lord's Prayer" and then they went to work on "Holy Ghost Fire". This group put you in the mind of the early day Violinaires. They did a great job.

We stayed in Mississippi and we went to Sontag next to hear from The Christianaires. Paul Porter came out ministering to the people with one of his testimony songs entitled "You Been Good To Me". He sang himself, his group, and hundreds in the audience into a happy and joyful shout. After gathering himself, Paul & The Christianaires went to work with "Look Around". Chairman, Tyrone Porter even got a piece of this one. What can I say? The Christianaires raised the roof and left the audience reeling and rocking!




Chicago's pioneers, The Pilgrim Jubilees from Malaco Records were next and their theme song was "Too Close" featuring Clay & Cleve Graham. Clay ministered a while with one of his stories and hit just a little bit of "Old Ship of Zion" and left the floor singing "I'm So Glad". The audience and members from other groups loved them.

We went to North Carolina next and we heard from The Jackson Sisters of Goldsboro. They came out in full force with "I've Got A Blessing" and rocked the house. They also blessed us with some nice dance moves and left the floor singing "I'll Trade A Lifetime".

Then came Timothy Garner & The Travails of Dallas, Texas who came out with the fire and Holy Ghost singing "I Can See The Sunshine". Their second selection was "A Good Christian". Tim has one of the most powerful voices in Gospel Music and he and The Travails were awesome in the house.

We stayed in the South and heard from Aleho International Music recording artists, Eternal Light of Marianna, Arkansas (formerly known as The Eternal Life Singers). They came out singing "In My Life" and they left the floor with "God Is Doing A Good Thing". They were received well by the audience and kept the fans on their feet.

The Sons of Heaven then blessed with only one song, which was a very nice version of "Show Me The Way". Next up, World Wide Records recording artists, Nu Beginning featuring Damon Little of Baltimore, Maryland who came on singing a smooth ballad entitled "Kissing The World Goodbye" followed by their popular radio single "You Can't Straddle The Fence". This young man has a lot of range and his group's vocals and band were very tight and featured a female lead guitarist. They were very good and the fans loved them.

Little Wayne & The Daytonians, of T-Jaye Records, gave the shortest performance I have ever witnessed with a 30-second moan from the lead singer Little Wayne and then they walked off the stage. Their total stage time may have been 45 seconds from the time they walked on until the time that they walked off.

The next group that was introduced was Debut Music recording artists, The Heirs of Harmony of Battle Creek, Michigan. Brother Tim Woodson and his group hit us hard with popular radio hit "One Step Closer".

The final stop was in Florida and we heard from the final group of the night which was Rev. Gary Chambers & The Chambers Family. This group did a contemporary quartet gospel song entitled "I Feel The Fire Burning". They called it the remix and the band featured a young man using a talk box and their bass player literally ran all over the convention hall as he played his cordless bass guitar to the delight of the fans. They raised the roof and took us up a little higher.

This wonderful service that featured a total of twenty-six artists lasted from 8:00 PM until well past 2:00 AM but many of the die-hard fans remained until the end. Final remarks were given by Brother Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, Vice Chairman of The GMWA and Chairman of The GMWA Gospel Announcer's Guild and Brother Tyrone Porter GMWA National Quartet Division Chairman. Brother Porter called his staff to the stage, and thanked all of them for their dedication and hard work and he had special thanks for his wife Josie, his family, and all of The Christianaires for loaning him to the quartet industry.

We all left the event in prayer while Paul Porter of The Christianaires led an All-Star cast of singers and industry personnel in Rev. James Cleveland's, "I Don't Feel No Ways Tired".

There were also many artists and groups from around the country who were in attendance that did not perform including members of The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson & The Spiritual Voices, The Windy City SpiritualaireS, The Gospel Keynotes, The Pilgrim Wonders, The Fantastic Jones Family, Nikki D. & The Browns, The Boykin Brothers, Evangelist Carolyn Smith & The Spiritual Stars, and a host of others.

We salute The National Quartet Division of The Gospel Music Workshop of America and Chairman Brother Tyrone Porter for helping to take quartet Gospel on up a little higher.