January 15, 2008
BMI Honors Trailblazers Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Mighty Clouds of Joy and Pastor Marvin Winans
Press Release
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 – NASHVILLE – BMI paid homage to gospel greats Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Mighty Clouds of Joy and Pastor Marvin Winans at its ninth Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. Hosted by contemporary gospel queen Dorinda Clark Cole and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton at Rocketown in Nashville, the invitation-only celebration attracted gospel music’s premier songwriters, recording artists, music industry executives and legends.
Elated guests enjoyed an unparalleled afternoon of fellowship and praise as scorching live musical performances paid homage to the honorees. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant also presented an award to esteemed songwriter Percy Bady for penning gospel’s most-performed song of 2007, “Um Good.” Recorded by Grammy Award-winner Smokie Norful, the tune is the first single from Norful’s critically-acclaimed October 2007 release Life Changing. Top gospel artists J. Moss, Kelly Price and Dave Hollister performed harmonious tributes to contemporary and traditional gospel bridge builder Vanessa Bell Armstrong; legendary Mighty Clouds of Joy received rousing musical laudation through performances by Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson and Rance Allen, who was also joined on stage by the Mighty Clouds members for a jaw-dropping encore; and Pastor Marvin Winans received his musical salute courtesy of Grammy-nominated vocalist Anthony Hamilton, songwriter/musician Tommy Simms, 2007 Trailblazers honoree Fred Hammond and Lowell Pye. Performances by Marvin “Coconut” Winans, Jr., Dorinda Clark Cole and Smokie Norful created additional spine-tingling moments, while elite director Donald Lawrence led an all-star background choir.
BMI’s Catherine Brewton praised the humbling dedication of the guests and honorees, saying, “BMI is extremely proud of you and all that you do to advance the Kingdom of God through gospel music. The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Pastor Marvin Winans: We come together to salute these trailblazers — pioneers who continue to bring us the truth of gospel music.”
For high resolution photos, downloadable press releases and more, please visit http://www.bmi.com/press, username: bmimedia; password: songwriter.
Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 350,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI¹s latest financial results, $839 million in performing right collections for its 2007 fiscal year, are the highest for any copyright organization in the world. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for over 65 years. The non-profit-making U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
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Contacts:
Kay Clary / BMI Nashville
615.401.2728 /
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Jerry Bailey / BMI Nashville
615.401.2825 /
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Adroit musician and songwriter Tommy Simms (right) pauses for a photo with BMI President & CEO Del Bryant (left).
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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2007 Trailblazer honoree Fred Hammond helps the BMI staff welcome legend Rance Allen to the luncheon. Pictured are (l to r): Fred Hammond, BMI's Wardell Malloy, Del Bryant and Catherine Brewton, with Rance Allen.
Photo by Kay Williams
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Accomplished vocalist Kelly Price arrives. Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Wardell Malloy, Kelly Price and BMI's Del Bryant.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Elite singer/songwriter Percy Bady and 2008 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel honoree Vanessa Bell Armstrong are greeted by the BMI staff. Pictured are (l to r): Percy Bady, BMI's Catherine Brewton and Vanessa Bell Armstrong, with BMI's Wardell Malloy and Del Bryant.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Esteemed music director Donald Lawrence guides each year of awe-inspiring BMI Trailblazer musical tributes.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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2008 Trailblazer honoree Pastor Marvin Winans arrives. Pictured are (l to r): BMI's Del Bryant and Catherine Brewton, Pastor Marvin Winans and BMI's Wardell Malloy.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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BMI's Catherine Brewton welcomes gospel luminary Fred Hammond to the luncheon.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Pastor Marvin Winans grins with his new BMI Trailblazer award.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Marvin "Coconut" Winans, Jr. gives a stirring performance in tribute to his father, Pastor Marvin Winans.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Anthony Hamilton (left) and Tommy Simms (right) perform "Question Is" in tribute to Pastor Marvin Winans.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Vanessa Bell Armstrong (center) pauses for a photo with fans Dave Hollister (left) and J. Moss (right).
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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New BMI Trailblazer Vanessa Bell Armstrong treats the audience to an impromptu performance.
Photo by Arnold Turner
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2008 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel honorees Mighty Clouds of Joy generated a flurry of excitement upon their arrival. Pictured are (l to r): Mighty Clouds of Joy members Ron Staples, Michael Cook and Joe Ligon, BMI's Catherine Brewton, Mighty Clouds of Joy members Richard Wallace and John Valentine, with BMI's Wardell Malloy.
Photo by Kay Williams
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Kelly Price performs "Nobody but Jesus" in tribute to Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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J. Moss performs Vanessa Bell Armstrong's "Look Beyond My Faults."
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Dave Hollister kicks off the tribute to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, performing "Peace Be Still."
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Co-host Dorinda Clark Cole carries the audience through the presentations and performances.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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The Mighty Clouds of Joy pose with their new Trailblazer trophies. Pictured are (l to r): Mighty Clouds of Joy members Michael Cook, Joe Ligon, Richard Wallace, Ron Staples and John Valentine.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Kindred vocalists Rance Allen (left) and Mighty Clouds of Joy's Joe Ligon (right) treat guests to a rare collaborative performance.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Legend Rance Allen performs "I've Been in the Storm Too Long" in tribute to the Mighty Clouds of Joy.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson kicks off the musical tribute to Mighty Clouds of Joy, performing "I Came to Jesus."
Photo by Kay Williams
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A favorite of his peers, singer/songwriter Percy Bady wrote BMI's Most Performed Gospel Song of 2007, "Um Good."
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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Smokie Norful performs BMI's Most Performed Gospel Song of 2007, "Um Good."
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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All of the afternoon's honorees huddled together for a group shot. Pictured are (l to r): Pastor Marvin Winans, Mighty Clouds of Joy members Michael Cook, John Valentine, Richard Wallace, Ron Staples and Joe Ligon, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, BMI's Catherine Brewton and Wardell Malloy, "Um Good" songwriter Percy Bady and BMI's Malik Levy.
Photo by Arnold Turner for BMI
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