At one point during the Q&A parade/marathon I looked over at one of the backstage television monitors and saw what I can only describe as a spectacle performed by "Neo-Prince" (as in Prince-the recording artist). While the sound on the TV was turned down (as it always was whenever an artist took to the press podium), the mystery artist (to us backstage anyway) was seriously throwing down and even when he ditched his Prince-esque wig and bandana on stage, I still didn't recognize him.

When a nearby journalist clued me in, it all made sense...

TONEX.

Yes, the forward-thinking hip-hop fusing artist (with a capital "A") was making his unforgettable introduction to many a stunned GMA member. Later, sporting the full-length red fur coat, black bandana, sunglasses, black short ripped slacks, boots and silver necklaces topped off with a large cross, Tonex introduced himself to many a stunned Christian journalist.

"Greetings from the year 2010," he said.

And dropping his first hint for the uninformed that this deal wasn't "for real," Tonex quipped, "Now we know where 100 packets of Kool-Aid went." (As in, "Nice coat.")

"If you can't make fun of yourself, you're taking yourself too seriously," He opined. Tonex went on to explain that his get-up and performance were satirical. Those of us who followed U2's career during the band's irony-filled take on the 90s, connected immediately. After making bold statements about his plans for the future (which include having an even bigger impact "than P.O.D.") the confident artist concluded, "I'm slander-proof and I'm press proof." And, somehow, I believed him.

(By the way, if you haven't picked up your own copy of Tonex's latest album, the groundbreaking OUT THE BOX, then more than 130,000 fans have already beaten you to the punch.)

Urban artist/pastor Donnie McClurkin, who'd just won a Dove for Best Traditional Gospel Recorded Song ("Through the Fire"--his collaboration with The Crabb Family) paid us a visit and explained, "The Dove Awards are a lot more important to us on the gospel side than you realize... The industry sometimes separates us, but in reality we are one..." Asked to confirm his widely reported retirement, he responded, "Yes sir--more by the mandate of God. You can't be a celebrity and pastor. You can't be on the road and pastor adequately." Noted.

Up next was MercyMe who won Best Pop/Contemporary Album (UNDONE) and Best Special Event Album (for their contribution to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST: SONGS). Referring to UNDONE, front man Bart Millard told us, "This record has ministered to us more than anything else we've done." Considering the band's incredible losses of family members and friends during the past two years, this statement said a lot.

Things turned lighter when one of my colleagues asked Bart if Third Day "who's from the NASCAR town of Atlanta" was jealous about MercyMe's new partnership with Interstate Batteries. "Pound for pound, I think we can take 'em... And yes, Mac's jealous," Bart responded.

While many expected Bethany Dillon or BarlowGirl to land 2005's New Artist of the Year title (including yours truly), Building 429 took the esteemed award home. On their way, they stopped by our room to take a few questions. "We've spent much of our lives being prepared to do what we're doing now," said lead singer/guitarist Jason Roy. "We take all of this very seriously. We're not perfect; we're going to make mistakes, but we're sold out to the [mission] that we feel God's given us."

Roy went on to explain that his band's moniker is based on Ephesians 4:29... "Anytime anybody asks us what our band name means, we get the opportunity to share the gospel."

***See Part 3... Coming soon!***

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Friday, April 15, 2005

Part 1: Backstage at the 36th Annual GMA Music Awards


Be warned: This wasn't your grandpa's night at the Opry House-the evening included a driving rock performance by Skillet, in-your-face satirical stage melodrama from Tonex, a cameo presentation by America's strongest man (Yes, you read right.) and much, much more.

This year the Gospel Music Association approached their "Dove Awards" presentations a bit differently. Usually they have announced the vast majority of winners in a non-televised "preshow" and then the "major" award categories (such as Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, New Artist of the Year, etc.) during the main two-hour production. This time around all 44 categories were presented in one big event taped live for later television broadcast.

And let me tell you, when I say "big event," I mean BIG EVENT. All told we press monkeys were backstage having our press conference-style Q & A's with the artists who were paraded thru for--get this--five hours.

The press room itself? So packed I felt like I was in a small club during a Dashboard Confessional show--no fire marshal in sight.

Casting Crowns' Mark Hall, who won the Songwriter of the Year award for the second year in a row and whose "Who Am I" was named Song of the Year, paid us a visit early on and lightened things up with his charming wit. After referring to his ADD as his "spiritual gift," he explained that he likes being thought of as "an old youth pastor" rather than an influential songwriter. His band, meanwhile, went on to win Group of the Year, Best Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song ("Who Am I") and Best Inspirational Recorded Song ("Voice of Truth"). Casting Crowns will soon return to the recording studio where they're working on new album for release in the fall.

Nicole C. Mullen, named Female Vocalist of the Year, and whose EVERYDAY PEOPLE won Best Urban Album, was joined on the press room stage by her husband, producer David Mullen. "I watch Law & Order every night while she sews," said David, explaining that Nichole made her stylish outfit herself. Nichole went on to speak with conviction and humility about her role as a "bridge" between the contemporary Christian and urban gospel music communities. "If you're called to be a bridge you have to expect that you're going to be walked on," she said at one point. And "You lead people across the bridge through individual relationships."

Shane Hamman, the strongest man in America and one of our country's Olympic athletes, soon paid us a visit and explained that when he works out, he listens to "hip-hop and heavy metal Christian music."

After Selah's HIDING PLACE was named Best Inspirational Album, the trio stopped by the press room sporting their new member, Melodie Crittenden. After eight years in Selah, vocalist Nicol Smith recently left the group to pursue full-time ministry with her husband in Chicago. When I asked Melodie how she would compare her voice to Nicol's, she explained that "our solo voices sound different, but the Selah harmony is there. Selah's sound hasn't changed that much." She also explained that she and Nicol were raised on a lot of the same styles of music. Asked how the threesome's solo projects were going, group co-founder Todd Smith responded humorously, "Well the group project's going great," adding, "I think my project just went plastic."

GRITS landed the Best Rap/Hip Hop Song ("Hittin' Curves") before paying us a visit to update us on the new label--5e Entertainment--they've started (with three artists already signed) and let us know they're getting ready to start recording their own next album.

Presenters Rick & Bubba from radio's nationally syndicated Rick & Bubba show swung through and explained, "We feel like humor gives us a great platform for sharing the Gospel."

Lynda Randle, who won the Dove for Best Traditional Gospel Album (A TRIBUTE TO MAHALIA JACKSON), took a few moments to tell us about the new book she has coming out soon. Titled "God on the Mountain" after her popular song, the book is due out later this spring. As she told us, "The God of the Mountain is the God of the valley."--something Lynda can speak to having gone through depression after losing several family members and her best friend. "The book has stories of triumph intertwined with stories of tragedy... [and is a] prayer journal," she explained.

Next up yer man tobyMac dropped in. Dude had just landed the Dove for Best Rap/Hip Hop Album (WELCOME TO DIVERSE CITY). Asked about what he's learned over the years as an artist, he responded, "The thing I've learned on the journey is to try to stay soft before the Lord... It's easy to get jaded out there on the road. I've seen the bands that are jaded and feel like they're not getting the love from the audience or from the press and it's like a disease..." Toby went on to speak optimistically about the current state of faith-based hip-hop and how it's growing in and beyond the Christian music community. "I walked around two nights in a row during this GMA week," he said, "and many of the clubs were filled with hip-hop heads making beats and rhymes talking about their Jesus. It's not in the major spotlight yet, but we're tearing down the walls."

Kierra "Kiki" Sheard who's quickly crossed over into the "contemporary Christian" genre, took home the bird for Best Urban Recorded Song ("I Owe You"), entered the press room and proceeded to charm us with her bright personality. This Dove win was a big deal for her. As her cousin, artist/producer J Moss, explained to us later, "Her mom and my dad and mom didn't have that kind of notoriety."--referring to their recording artist-rich extended family, which includes The Clark Sisters and Bill Moss & the Celestials.

***See Part 2... Coming soon!***

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