BLACK HISTORY NOTES FROM THE PASTOR
GOSPEL MUSIC WORKSHOP of AMERICA, INC.

Rev. James Cleveland developed and built the Gospel Music
Workshop of America, Inc. where the perpetuation and promotion of gospel music has been and remains a primary purpose of the organization.

In March of 1967, Rev. Cleveland called together friends from across the US in an effort to brainstorm his idea of producing a venue for gospel music presentations. This association formed the Gospel Music Workshop of America with a national convention motto of "Where Everybody is Somebody."

Rev. Cleveland stated, "There are young folk that have talent but have no where to get instructions as to how to put that talent to work. And so I thought how could we help upgrade the music in the church and bring sometime of education to the youth since there is no formal education in schools where they can get the training ... so I had the bright idea to get all the best exponents of gospel from all over the world together, asked them what they thought about the idea of coming together forming a workshop to try to teach the young folk whatever they wanted to know about gospel."

The Gospel Music Workshop of America is a Christian organization convening annually, where national performers, recording artists, new and inspiring songwriters, educators, liturgical dancers, the young and old, pastors, and other minister to each other and to the needs and directions within the African American religious experience. It has opened its doors to welcome and receive people of different colors, influences and cultures.

The object of the association was to perpetuate, promote and advance the Christian ideal through the medium of music by joining together gospel choirs, choruses, singers, & songwriters throughout the US in a voluntary association for education, cooperation, promotion and the communication of ideas and ideals.
The Gospel Music Workshop of America was incorporated in Detroit, Michigan.

GMWA Membership

Active GMWA Membership ranges from professional and amateur Gospel vocalists to instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, directors and producers, and the like. According to its official website, approximately 75% of the music on Billboard's Gospel Charts is written, arranged, produced, or performed by GMW A members.

We give "props" to Miss Sydney Michelle Price, Miss Christian
DeButante and Mr. RaShun Ja'ques Barksdale, Mr. Christian Beau, for the
Upstate, SC Chapter, GMWA 2009-2010.