Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon: Event Photos

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)

Smokie Norful performs BMI's Most Performed Gospel Song of 2007, "Um Good." (Photo by Arnold Turner)

A favorite of his peers, singer/songwriter Percy Bady wrote BMI's Most Performed Gospel Song of 2007, "Um Good." (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson kicks off the musical tribute to Mighty Clouds of Joy, performing "I Came to Jesus." (Photo by Kay Williams)

Legend Rance Allen performs "I've Been in the Storm Too Long" in tribute to the Mighty Clouds of Joy. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

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)

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)

Co-host Dorinda Clark Cole carries the audience through the presentations and performances. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Dave Hollister kicks off the tribute to Vanessa Bell Armstrong, performing "Peace Be Still." (Photo by Arnold Turner)

J. Moss performs Vanessa Bell Armstrong's "Look Beyond My Faults." (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Kelly Price performs "Nobody but Jesus" in tribute to Vanessa Bell Armstrong. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

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)

New BMI Trailblazer Vanessa Bell Armstrong treats the audience to an impromptu performance. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Vanessa Bell Armstrong (center) pauses for a photo with fans Dave Hollister (left) and J. Moss (right). (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Anthony Hamilton (left) and Tommy Simms (right) perform "Question Is" in tribute to Pastor Marvin Winans. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Marvin "Coconut" Winans, Jr. gives a stirring performance in tribute to his father, Pastor Marvin Winans. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

Pastor Marvin Winans grins with his new BMI Trailblazer award. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

BMI's Catherine Brewton welcomes gospel luminary Fred Hammond to the luncheon. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

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)

Esteemed music director Donald Lawrence guides each year of awe-inspiring BMI Trailblazer musical tributes. (Photo by Arnold Turner)

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)

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)

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)

Adroit musician and songwriter Tommy Simms (right) pauses for a photo with BMI President & CEO Del Bryant (left). (Photo by Arnold Turner)