PRAYZEHYMN Online | where gospel music lives [Don't Forget to Remember: The Unofficial Timeline of the GMWA]

By J. MATTHEW COBB
Editor-At-Large, PRAYZEHYMNOnline.com
Special Thanks to Keisha (Lilmama) of The Gospel Fill Up
Posted: August 15, 2008

AS A NEW DECADE AROSE, the Gospel Music Workshop of America continued to blossom and grow with new talent, ranging from aspiring songwriters and emerging singers, and kept the tradition very much alive to record their projects on a host of music labels including Cleveland’s record home, Savoy Records, and the ‘80s King James imprint on the Sound of Gospel music label. Below you will find a list of years along with the proper locations and detailed information related to the annual convention meetings.

	1978 Washington, D.C. Washington, DC’s Constitutional Hall. Dr. Frederick Sampson of Detroit presided over the opening Consecration Service. The convention’s Mass Choir recorded the beloved Myrna Summers’ song “Oh How Precious (Is The Name of Jesus)” and Eddie Robinson’s “Don’t Forget to Remember.”
	1979 New Orleans, Louisiana Mark K. Elsaw is appointed by Rev. Cleveland to oversee the Women’s Division. During her administration, the Women’s Division became the second largest division in the workshop. The double-disc LP, released in 1980 on Savoy as Save the Lost, featured a number of workshop classics. “Heed to the Master’s Call,” a jumping uptempo song by David Allen which featured Keith Pringle on lead vocals, became one of Allen’s well respected contemporary selections. “Sign Me Up,” penned by the late Marvin Yancy whom was the former husband of R&B sensation Natalie Cole, stirred up the convention on this collection. “I’m So Into You” was remake of the Peabo Bryson hit and sung by Birmingham’s John Wes Lewis. “Make Me Better,” revived by Dr. Charles G. Hayes, was also presented and sung by Rev. Cleveland. Rev. Isaac Douglas also sung on “He Wouldn’t Lift You Up (To Let You Down).”
	1980 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The 13th annual GMWA convention recorded I Give My All To You at the Civic Auditorium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was also released in 1980 on Savoy Records. The album also featured a few gospel nuggets that remain treasures in the halls of GMWA historians. The title track was penned by Harold I. Williams and featured the King of Gospel on lead. “The Greatest Gift,” now a holiday classic in workshop history, featured Doug Toles, Wes Lewis and Jesse Williams singing together as a trio and was one of the first appearances of the beloved pianist Daniel Cason, II (whom went on to play on workshop classics including “For God So Loved the World). “Jesus Dropped the Charges,” known mostly by the O’Neal Twins’ version, was also presented and featured Rev. Isaac Douglas and Rev. Richard White, the songwriter, singing together in a duet. “If It Had Not Been for the Lord on My Side,” a popular Margaret Douroux gem, made its first workshop appearance on this album as well.
	1981 Los Angeles, California The Mass Choir records He’s Worthy on Savoy Records. The album features the uptempo title track, penned by Robert Fryson, and was recorded by the Youth Mass Choir. Gabriel Hardeman’s “Feels Like Fire” was also an album highlight, along with Steven Roberts’ Funkadelic-tinged “The Chariot Is A Comin’”. Daryl Coley sings the lead vocals to the latter track.
	1982 Houston, Texas One of the most remembered GMWA projects released in the mid-80's, the convention’s mass choir exploded through powerful cuts on “Live in Houston;”another Savoy release including Steven Roberts’ “He’ll Never Let You Down” and the prolific ballad “For God So Loved the World,” presented by Lanny Wolfe. James Cleveland revived the Donald Vails/Margaret Douroux classic “He Decided to Die” with a spine-chilling narration and LaBarbara Whitehead revamping her dynamic soprano vocals afterwards. Well beloved musicians and current GMWA ambassadors also played on the project including Isadore Jackson (organ), Rodena Preston (piano), Marvin Swimpson (director), Benny Cummings (director), Daniel Cason II (piano), Becky White (piano) and Walter Scruthchings (organ).
	1983 Cincinnati, Ohio Released in 1984 as “Recorded Live in Cincinnati, Ohio,” the GMWA Mass Choir recorded the first version of “What Shall I Do;” later made famous by Tramaine Hawkins and Rev. James Cleveland. The workshop version featured Rev. Donald Vails and Keith Pringle on lead vocals and the song’s composer Rev. Quincy Fielding, Jr on piano. “Count Your Blessings,” originally recorded and written by Donnie Graves, also appears. Other noteworthy selections included “One More Chance,” “For the Rest of My Life” and “He Will Answer Prayer.”
	1984 Atlanta, Georgia Released in 1985, this project would be the last recording on Savoy Records until they were later picked up towards the end of the eighties. The album was produced by James Perry and featured moving selections from Rev. James Cleveland (“Oh By Joyful”) and Steven Roberts (“Nobody But Jesus”). The latter was later re-recorded and made famous by Vanessa Bell Armstrong. “The Grace of God,” featuring Betty Griffin and penned by Charles May and Joe Westmoreland, is another iconic workshop ballad. “Say the Word” is also present on this record.
	1985 New York, New York The Convention took place at Madison Square Garden for the second time - ten years since their last New York City visit. Noteworthy selections from the Mass Choir included Calvin Bernard Rhone’s “New Jerusalem” and the moving “A Song in the Midst of a Storm (Crisis);” marking the first appearance of Donald Lawrence as a GMWA clinician. John P. Kee also made history that year by winning favor from the Mass Choir committee to present two selections (“Jesus Can Do It,” “He’s My All and All”) to the Mass Choir. The album was released on the newly-formed King James imprint on the Sound of Gospel Records’ label.
	1986 Miami, Florida Released on the King James music label (with distribution through Detroit’s Sound of Gospel Records), this album featured the GMWA favorite “No Greater Love” - penned by David Allen. The song also featured Garland Miche’ Waller on organ and Daniel Cason on piano. Thomas L. Adams’ well-treasured “We Come to Have Church” is also present here and is considered to be a classic in the African-American urban church for choir processionals and annual choir days. John P. Kee returns to the convention with the contemporary-flavored “I Shall Not Be Moved;” featuring New Life alum Tina Morrison and Kee on lead vocals. Other presenters included Steven Roberts, Kurt Carr, Stan Lee, Tony Coleman, Carlton Burgess and Rev. Bernard Williams.

OTHER VALUABLE RESOURCES TO LOOK INTO:
We perish because of the lack of knowledge. Get schooled.
GMWA Timeline: Part One - Online timeline of the GMWA. Part 1.
GMWA Timeline: Part Three - Online timeline of the GMWA. Part 3
GMWA Timeline: Part Four - Online timeline of the GMWA. Part 4
Bishop Albert Jamison Unplugged - PRAYZEHYMN Exclusive. 2-part audio interview featuring with the Chairman of the Gospel Music Workshop of America.
James Cleveland Online Memorial - Online memorial to Rev. James Cleveland. Pictures, audio and commentary.
Gospel Music Workshop of America - Official website