1988 St. Louis, Missouri
The 21st annual GMWA convention took place in St. Louis, Missouri. The Mass Choir recorded V. Michael McKay’s “The Good Shepherd” which featured Rev. Cleveland’s gruff voice on a spoken word introduction with Hank Neil singing lead vocals. Donald Lawrence also presented “If I Can’t Say a Word.” which featured lead vocals from Ann Nesby.

Rev. Charles Nicks, Jr., the 2nd vice president of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, passed away on July 28; just days before the August convention.

1991 Salt Lake City, Utah
Rev. James Cleveland, the convention’s founder and president, passed away earlier that year in February; leaving the complete administrative operations in the hands of the Board of Directors. At the 1991 annual board meeting, a constitutional and by-law committee was formed with Dr. R.M. Simmons, Dean of the Academic Division and member of the Board of Directors as Chariman. The purpose of organizing this committee was to restructure the operational developments of the Convention to include the Board of Directors as being the sole policy makers of the GMWA. The Board also retired the title of president in honor of Rev. Cleveland. The GMWA made history once again for being the first major predominately African-American convention to ever assemble in the historic Mormon Tabernacle. Members and staff of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir also contributed in the opening Consecration services and on the live recording sessions of the Mass Choir.

Marking the end of a long era, the Mass Choir recorded with Savoy Records for the last time during the1991 convention. The recording featured Al Hobbs’ “All Is Well” - featuring a moving reunion of the James Cleveland Singers along side Rev. Donald Vails. Other prominent selections included Malcolm Speed’s “Lord I Yield,” Jay Terrell’s “Holy Spirit In Me” and Byron Cage’s lead vocals on “Keep Hope Alive.”

1992 Chicago, Illinois
Teresa Hairston, former head of Benson Records’s black gospel division, took interest in the superpowers of the GMWA and signed them to her popular and expanding roster. The first recording from their union, Live In Chicago: Dawn of a New Era, featured Quincy Fielding’s “Hallelujah! So Glad I’m Free,” the rocking gem “Temple of the Holy Ghost” and contributions from Myrna Summers, James Bignon, Darius Brooks and V. Michael McKay. The album was also marked with superb quality production from Frank Wilson .

The Men’s Chorus records The Chief Corrnerstone on the small Ocean label and was well received due to songs like the Carlton Burgess title track, Kirk Franklin’s “I’ll Do It,” “Jesus Be Exalted” and V. Michael McKay’s “Move From That Mountain.”

1993 Indianapolis, Indiana
Frank Wilson’s production took the Mass Choir’s 1993 recording to extraordinary heights. And topping off the fresh sound was an incredible set of golden contributions from some of gospel’s greatest writers. Rickey Grundy penned the energetic “Jesus, He’s the Rock” while Kirk Franklin presented “I’m Packin’ Up.” At this time, Franklin was already gaining ground as one of the freshest and brightest talents on the scene with his self-titled debut project, with the Family, on GospoCentric. “Use Me” became a popular staple in the Convention and was later re-recorded by Fred Hammond and the Brookyln Tabernacle Choir. V. Michael McKay’s “Anticipation” proved to be a fitting musical tribute to the legacies of Cleveland and the falling heroes of gospel whom passed away. Margaret Douroux delighted the Convention with “One More Day” while Richard Foy’s “Have You Heard About Jesus” became a crowd pleaser

The Women of Worship, organized by the Mary K. Elsaw, debuted their best-selling It’s Onr Time on Al Hobbs’ Aleho International Music label. The album featured the radio classic, “Order My Steps;” penned by Glenn Burleigh. The song was featured on the WOW Gospel 1998 compilation and is considered to be one of the greatest gospel songs of the 1990s.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the convention, Benson Music Group released 25th anniversary featuring studio recreations and musical tributes to the beloved music of the Workshop from artists including James Bignon, Myrna Summers, Byron Cage, Calvin Bernard Rhone and Rev. Lawrence Thomison.

1995 Los Angeles, California
The Mass Choir delivered their last project on the Benson label. With only eight tracks captured on disc, the album’s strongest highlights included Pamela Jean Davis’ “It’s a Blessing,” the emotional power of Peggy Britt’s contemporary ballad “I’ve Counted the Cost” and the catchy melodies of “In The Garden.”

The Crown Collection, the third recording from the Women’s Division, featured the GMWA classic “The Coronation,” Pamela Jean Davis’ “I Still Have Joy,” and the infectious“Joy Cometh in the Morning.”

Released five years after the LA convention, the GMWA Men’s Chorus recorded one project and was finally released on with the now-defunct Tommy Boy Gospel label. The album was produced by Frank Wilson. Hot tracks included “I Want the Lord to Use Me,” “Oh Zion,” “Have Your Way Lord” and Carlton Burgess’ “Hope of Glory.”

1996 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rev. Albert L. Jamison, Sr., of Brooklyn, New York, was elected by the Board of Directors to serve as the chairman of the convention. Mercy That Suits, the Mass Choir’s first release on the Intersound label, featured the remarkable Margaret Douroux title track along with compositions from Stephen Hurd, Calvin Bernard Rhone and Prince Yelder.

The Youth Division also recorded on the now-defunct Higher Ground label; releasing Lift The Savior Up. Standout tracks include the title track (featuring a moving narration from newly-installed chiarman Rev. Albert Jamison), Brent Jones’ ‘Closer Than Close” and Malcolm Speed’s “When I Think (of the Goodness of Jesus).”

The Women of Worship impressed many listeners now turned on their sound with their breathtaking 1997 project When I Get Home released on Aleho. The title track, a successful radio hit, featured Adrianne Lewis on lead vocals. Tina Watson also appeared on the worshipful “Spirit Come.” Popular ‘80s gospel icon Louise “Candy” Davis also made her last GMWA appearance on “Never Let Go.” Other important tracks to the album included “The Prayer” and Carlton Fellows’ “A Brighter Day Will Come.”

The GMWA Gospel Announcers’ Guild also made their very first musical debut as a singing aggregation on the Aleho-released So You Would Know. The album contained the radio smash title track and other favorites including “Teach Me” and “Keep Me” (featuring Albertina Walker).

The Men of Promise recorded Keepers of the Dream on Tyscot Records and featured selections penned and performed by Rev. Richard “Mr. Clean” White, Kervy Brown, Leonard Burks and Marvin McCoy.