FLASHBACK: RAIN WAS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE AT GRAMMY GOSPEL SALUTE
Background: The article below captures the history of Gospel Music Heritage Monthl. It also cover the Grammys Salute to Gospel Music event. It is a rare account of how the observation was formally announced durig the special event. Prior to the event members of government and the gospel community came to gether to advocate for music right son Capitol Hill. The article is being re-reun here for the historic record and to cap off Gospel Music Heritage Month 2021.
By Mona Austin
(Washington, DC) --A sudden downpour of rain washed out the red carpet plans for the 2008 Grammy Salute to Gospel Music, but could not dampen the spirit at the East Coast tribute event.
As a throng of impatient fans were kept waiting outdoors to be seated for over an hour--some reportedly requesting a refund--the President of the Recording Academy, Neil Portnow played doorman.
Press scrambled to the interior of Washington D.C.'s historic Lincoln Theater and his team to find “Plan B.”
The solution wasn't ideal.
The disgruntled crowds’ wait was prolonged while media cramped an aisle in the theater to get face time with President’s Merit Award honorees Sandi Patty, The Winans and Edwin and Walter Hawkins and the artists who came to salute them in song.
Things weren't looking good for the National Association for Recorded Arts & Sciences (NARAS), the governing body of the Grammys, until God spoke through a rainbow.
“When I was coming in I noticed this incredible rainbow and it just put in my mind that it’s the right time and the right night,” a collected Portnow said before the show started.
Immediately, the mention of God's symbol of His promised return garnered warm applause and quelled frustrations. The atmosphere for a momentous occasion was set.
Unknowingly, everyone present was destined to witness the night gospel music reached its pinnacle--the historic moment that church and state eternally coalesced with the declaration of Gospel Heritage Month.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a chief proponent of the effort stepped to the podium to recognizegospel music as a national treasure and announce that legislation was passed by the House of Representatives (H.Con. Res. 370) and the Senate (S. Res. 595) designating September 2008 as "Gospel Music Heritage Month."
Just as the rainbow assures, God showed up in the Lincoln Theater through all of the performances. Here are some highlights of the evening:
Hosted by gospel artist Martha Munnizzi, the June 18 show was simply incredible. Celebrated producer Donald Lawrence served as Musical Director with back-up vocals provided by DC-area –based Jonathan Nelson and Purpose. Show opener, Maurette Brown Clark also from DC, sang "One God."
Gospel Hall of Famers, the Winans sang their evergreen “The Question Is.” It was a family affair as their younger sister CeCe presented the award to her siblings and their nephew (Marvin Winans Jr. ) joined them on stage, picking up the low tones the late Ronald Winans once sang.
CCM Queen, Sandi Patty’s voice was brilliant as she hit goose-bump-raising high notes and brought the crowd to their feet singing her classic rendition of “We Shall Behold Him.”
Patti LaBelle graced the stage in an elegant emerald gown and crooned the Winans’ “Tomorrow” with her jewel-lined vocal chords. The be-spectacled Diva relied on words held by a music stand and told the excited audience it was one of her favorite songs and she did not want to “mess up.”
The crowd roared with praise during Kim Burrell’s “jazz-ti-fied” take on “Be Grateful.”
Walter Hawkins received murmurs of agreement as he lyrically articulated the signs of the times--“folks without homes, people don’t get enough pay"--he sang. the song “Thank You,” an oldie, but goody recorded in 1990 by the Love Alive Choir.
Edwin Hawkins in his acceptance speech pointed out there is a performance aspect to gospel music, but he said the difference is that gospel artists must be anointed.
Each award recipient performed and were feted by two gospel artists who sang music form the honorees songbooks. Featured performers included Richard Smallwood and Kim Burrell for The Hawkins; Avalon and Amy Grant for Sandi Patty and, Rance Allen and Patti LaBelle for The Winans.
In the words of the finale song “it was a happy day.”
Sidebar-
The Grammys Salute to Gospel Music was held in Los Angeles initially with plans to move to various locations. However, the event has been held in DC for the past two years of its 5 year existence.
Portnow admits DC has an advantage because it is the home of government, but he has not ruled out other possible sites. He said, “Every year we think we get a fresh canvas to paint on. . .so much of what we need to do to keep the music alive has to do with government.”
Gospel Music Channel television network joined with distinguished members of Congress and The Recording Academy® to announced the new "Gospel Music Heritage Month" initiative. The legislation in the House of Representatives (H.Con. Res. 370) and the Senate (S. Res. 595) designates September 2008 as "Gospel Music Heritage Month," honoring gospel music for its valuable long-standing contributions to American culture. The initiative was created by Gospel Music Channel (GMC), the country's first and only 24/7 television network devoted to all forms of Gospel/Christian music, and was publicly unveiled at The Recording Academy's GRAMMY®s on the Hill event at the U.S. Capitol on June 18. (Photo courtesy of the Recording Academy)
Pictured at the event at the Capitol (Left to Right): Gospel music advocate Carl Davis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), GMC Founder and President Charles Humbard, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), President/CEO of The Recording Academy® Neil Portnow, and GMC Senior Director of Music Development Alvin Williams.
