Mad Love for GMA

Some months ago I joined the Gospel Music Association – the GMA. Now, let me explain a little bit about the music industry. Many, many moons ago, someone founded the GMA – and organization dedicated to promoting “Gospel” music. However, this organization was designed before “Gospel Music” meant “Black Gospel Music” and wasn’t founded by African-Americans. It was very popular among persons in the Southern Gospel and Contemporary Christian community. Sometime after that, Rev. James Cleveland founded the Gospel Music Workshop of America, which caters to “Black Gospel Music.” Today, among the black, independent Gospel music community, many of us don’t even know about the GMA. However, it is a powerful, wonderful organization that is connected to probably everything related to Gospel music – and by “Gospel” music I mean all categories of music that spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This past weekend I attended my first GMA event – GMA Academy. This two-day event was dedicated to educating and empowering unsigned artists and songwriters. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I was hopeful. Oh my God… I was certainly not disappointed.

It was so amazing having the opportunity to sit in a room and pick the brains of some of Gospel music’s biggest stars and greatest songwriters. I sat in sessions with Geron Davis, Mark Harris, Dave Clark, Ahmande Grimes, Brandon Eggerton, Shaun Groves and Nicole C. Mullen. I learned so much about songwriting – much better methods than I was using. One thing that was a pretty recurring theme was that being an “independent artist” or “independent songwriter” is a very good thing right now. It was explained how the music industry is changing and we are entering the era of the independent.

Another thing that I gained from this experience is confirmation. Confirmation is a wonderful thing. When I went to Charlotte and did C.A.T.S. – the Christian Artist Talent Search – it was such a tremendous blessing to have so many industry professionals confirm my ministry and state, “you are doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.” As an independent artist, it’s easy to look for the next thing that I’m supposed to do. But when you know you’re doing exactly what God wants you to do, you don’t have to look for the next thing… just keep doing this thing. While at GMA, I submitted some music from my CD for critique… another great thing offered at GMA. I sat in a room with about 8 other independent songwriters and artists and had an industry professional – first a producer, then an A&R rep – listen to some of my music. Their comments and compliments reaffirmed that I am doing what I should be doing. When the A&R guys saw my promo kit he said, “I’m going to make you the poster child.” Then he said to the group, “See, this guys gets it. All the stuff I was telling you guys to do, he’s doing it.” Then the producer said something that I think will forever be etched in my brain. He said, “For me it always boils down to one question… would I buy it. And, yes, I would by this CD. Just based on the partial of the two cuts I heard, I would buy this guys CD.”

Sometimes we say that we don’t need man to reaffirm us or confirm what we are doing. And I guess that’s true. But when God does use man to reaffirm what you’re doing, it sure feels good.

So, to all my fellow independent artists, I highly recommend GMA. And, to Mondo and Brandon… thanks, guys, for being my new mentors.