Lots going on In The Twitterhood, as usual.  A quick recap…

Antonio Neal (@antonioneal) has a new studio for those who want to record without a lot of cash.  Email him at ansharforeverstudios@gmail.com for more info.
 
BeBe & CeCe Winans (@bebeandcece) taped an episode of Bobby Jones Gospel and are putting the finishing touches on their album this week!
 
Deitrick Haddon (@deitrickhaddon) wrote a movie that he’ll be filming in 2 weeks.  He’s apparently in the studio now for the soundtrack.

Kim Burrell (@kimburrelllove) says to check her out on WLIB 1190 in New York from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday.  You can listen online at http://wlib.com/pages/3889969.php.
 
Mary Mary (@therealmarymary) is on tour with R&B singer Maxwell.

And last but not least, Donald Lawrence (@DonaldLawrence) gave public props to GospelPundit.com, saying  ”I sooo appreciate the way u run your site. Professional and integral but still news! Kingdom-style!!!”  WOW. Me so happy.

Okay, that’s it for this week.  You’re followin’ me, aren’t ya? http://www.twitter.com/gospelpundit.

Yesterday at GMWA began beautifully– slow and without any obligations or commitments.  I sat with my wife and some buddies in the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast.  Byron Cage, Dorothy Norwood, Albertina Walker and JJ Hairston were just a few of the artists milling around the area.

Shortly after my meal, I got a text message asking if I could sit on a panel discussing internet radio before an audience of radio announcers, aspiring artists and industry execs.  I agreed and, at the panel, was able to share my knowledge about what I do in new media and the need for a stronger internet radio presence among gospel announcers.  I didn’t get booed off the panel, so I guess I sounded pretty knowledgeable. Shout-out to Donna Creer for thinking of me.  I had a blast.

I only had an hour to eat before the long-anticipated Gospel Festival, co-sponsored by Macy’s.  I grabbed a bite before getting ready for the concert, hosted by Yolanda Adams, featuring Karen Clark-Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Byron Cage, Smokie Norful, Dottie Peoples, Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Karima Kibble, Ami Rushes, Kurt Carr & The Kurt Carr Singers, Dorothy Norwood, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, the GMWA Mass Choir and MORE.

The concert lasted for nearly 5 hours, but it was good.  The sound system was a bit rough (it was in a convention center… y’know, with the cement walls and high ceilings), so sounds kinda bounced back and forth.

Highlights of the show:  Yolanda Adams’ impromptu performance of “The Battle Is The Lord’s” with the GMWA Mass Choir– she proved that she’s STILL at the top of her game; Karen Clark-Sheard opened her set with the throwback “Balm In Gilead” before launching into two new tracks, both of which she DEMOLISHED on vocals; Dorinda Clark-Cole was in GREAT voice as she sang “Take It Back”; Byron Cage’s new single, “Faithful To Believe,” is awesome and sure to be a favorite; JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise are doing a great job with their new single, “Resting On His Promise,” but they also do a GREAT job revisiting their hit song “Incredible God, Incredible Praise” (tenor David McClure ad libs on the vamp like you’d NEVER believe… he had one of the greatest voices of the entire night… no exaggeration); GMWA Mass Choir was directed by Chicago choirleader/artist Malcolm Williams and they performed a near PERFECT medley of classic throwback choir songs.

All in all, the concert was AWESOME.  Afterwards, I went for dessert with some buddies and chatted until I could barely keep my eyes open.  Ahhhhh, it was a fun week!

During the concert, Bishop Jamison announced that GMWA would RETURN to Cincinnati next year, which will be kinda cool… it was a very welcoming city.  If you wanna attend next year, start planning and saving now.

Word has it that Karen Clark-Sheard will release a new solo project in January of 2010.

During her set last night at the GMWA Gospel Festival concert, she praised God that she’s now “an entreprenuer.”  The first album on the newly formed Karew Records will be the Clark Family Christmas album, due in October, followed by her own album due at the top of the new year.

I’m WAIIIITIIIIIING!!!

Wednesday at GMWA was a slower day, not cuz there wasn’t plenty to do, but because people were kinda dragging and showing their fatigue… folks were skippin’ events and what not. LOL

I got a chance to chat with Floyd Wilkinson, who leads the hit Donald Lawrence & Co. single, “Back II Eden.”  To be one of the singin’-est dudes you’ll find in the game, he is incredible kind, humble and down to earth.  And he’s hilarious.  Gotta love that.

I stopped by the “Tribute To The King” concert, which was being hosted by Kurt Carr.  I didn’t stay for the whole tribute, but I noticed some of his singers, so I’m sure they ministered their faces off.  I also got a chance to see Dottie Peoples and Chrystal Rucker backstage.  The attendance at the tribute was rather low, but they were goin’ in on some classic James Cleveland tracks before I had to leave.

Took a quick break for dinner at some Korean bistro (it was pretty good) before heading to the Youth & Young Adult showcase, which featured a bunch of great aspiring/new artists.

When I arrived, Isaac Cates & Ordained were on stage and sounded GREAT.  Not long after, Sunday Best finalist Zebulon Ellis got on the piano to play and sing the classic Milton Brunson tune “For The Good Of Them.”  I’ll say this– we, the Sunday Best viewing audience, were cheated out of experiencing how awesome his vocal ability is.  Dude can blow, FOR REAL.

A bit later, Melinda Watts performed “There Will Come A Day” from her new album, followed by a organ-accompanied “When We All Get To Heaven” and “When I See Jesus” medley.  It was HOT.

After her, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise took the stage and performed their hit song “Incredible God, Incredible Praise.”  Lemme tell ya– incredible PERFORMANCE, too.  They ended their set with their new single, “Resting On His Promise,” and had Bishop Eric McDaniel join them for the vamp (as he does on the recorded version).  They had great energy and an even better sound.

I ducked out before the end, lest I fell out from fatigue– this week will wear you OUT if you don’t get your rest!  Geeeeez.

That’s it for now.  ‘Til later!

Yesterday was the first full day of action-packed GMWA stuff.

I was bouncin’ around between the hotel lobby, the press office (shout out to Jojo Pada of IgnitionPR), the airport to pick up folks, and back to the convention center.

Last night, we went to the Youth & Young Adult Forum at the Hyatt in Downtown Cincinnati.  By the end of the week, I’ll be annoyed cuz the musicals start so LATE at night, but for now, I’m napping when I can and making it through!

There are so many events happening simultaneously, I can’t go to all of ‘em.  But at the Youth thingy, there were some GREAT performances from new and developing artists across the nation.  Special shout-out to Algernon, Bubby Fann and his group, and Melinda Watts, each of whom did a GREAT job.  It was an awesome time… I even got to catch-up with manager extraordinaire (and Gospel Dream judge) Mitchell Solarek.  SUPER cool guy.

Random sightings included Dorothy Norwood, Donald Lawrence, Albertina Walker, Vashawn Mitchell, Stephen Hurd, Kervy Brown, Earnest Pugh, Bishop Eric McDaniel… TONS of folks are here and more are continuously arriving.

I didn’t get to bed until around 3:00am (what in the WORLD?!), then back up at 6:30am to do it all again.  Whateva!  I’ll sleep next week.

More recaps tomorrow… and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for ongoing ramblings about stuff.

Okay, so I’m on-location at one of the largest annual gospel music events in the industry– the Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA).

This year, GMWA is meeting in Cincinnati, OH at the Duke Energy Center.  As always, a month’s worth of events have been condensed into ONE gospel-filled week of worship sessions, workshops, showcases, nightly musicals, concerts and more.

Among the usual posts, I’m gonna try my best to recap all of the great stuff I do while I’m here.  Still, you’re prolly better off following me on Twitter, where I’ll be recapping things as I go.  Some of it will be about great events, others will be about foolish shenanigans… at all times, it’ll be GMWA through the eyes of EJ.

If you’re gonna be here for the event, hit me on Twitter or via email (ej@gospelpundit.com) and lemme know!  I’d love to meet some of ya.

Until later…

The Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA) is in the final days of prepping– the week-long event kicks off this coming Saturday and runs through the 31st of July in Cincinnati, OH.

The convention, held at the Duke Energy Center, will feature daily morning worship sessions, workshops, showcases and nightly musicals.

I think I’m most excited about the full concert featuring Donald Lawrence and the huuuge concert on Thursday, the 30th, which will feature Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark-Cole, J Moss, Kurt Carr, Byron Cage, Smokie Norful and more.  Ummm… that’s hot.  I may have to tweet live from that one.

Anyway, it’s not too late to register and buy tickets for stuff.  Visit http://www.gmwanational.net/ for more details.  And follow GMWA on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/GMWA.

Who else is planning to attend?  I wanna meet some of ya.  Hit me up and lemme know.

The Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. (GMWA) is gearing up for its annual convention, to be held from July 25-31, 2009 in Cincinnati, OH this year.

This year’s convention will feature the TONS of musicals, Daily Bread morning worship services, an unsigned artist showcase, a quartet showcase, hip-hop showcase, men’s prayer breakfast, women’s tea, and MUCH MORE.

I even hear that the week-long convention will end with a HUGE concert on Thursday night, in conjunction with Cincinnati’s annual Macy’s Music Festival.

I think I’m gonna do my best to be there.  Anybody else planning to attend?  Anybody attended before?  Anybody refusing to attend?

Talk to me!

One of my favorite videos EVER.

This is from GMWA in 2002, before Kierra started recording as a solo artist.  I remember seeing this and getting SO excited when, at the end, Karen said ”she’s ’bout to come out with her CD after while.”  Enjoy this CLASSIC video of mother and daughter doing what they do best.  Jeepers!