How did GRACE initially form in 2000?
Gospel music has always been a major part of Samuel "Eddie" Cromwell's life. He successfully directs a variety of choirs in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area. Success includes his award winning group, E.C. Mass. Since his experience is with large choirs, Eddie called a few friends, who just happened to be blessed with amazing voices, and shared his idea about forming a smaller “group”. The voices are gifted Christians from various denominations who come together to minister and further God’s word in song. Eddie is bringing you a dynamic group that he founded, nurtured, and directs known as GRACE How did you choose the name GRACE? The group was beginning to get bookings and needed a name. Just before a rehearsal Eddie and the group sat talking about being blessed by God’s grace and mercy. Still looking for a name and beginning to feel just a wee bit anxious, and since everyone in the group really enjoyed and truly felt blessed with the “grace and mercy” conversation . . . the group decided on the name GRACE. How long did it take you to move from performing to actually making your first recording? How many albums do you have? The Stellar Gospel Music Academy has requested the group position themselves for a 2009 Stellar Award nomination for their latest project “GraceFull”. You've sung for audiences across the United States and even internationally, what are some of your favorite memories of ministering in these areas? GRACE has had an exciting seven years that include singing with Bobby Jones in Harlem, New York and opening for Diane Reeves at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Like all recording artists, we hit the road to introduce our unique style to wider audiences. From as close as Hagerstown, Maryland, Chester, Pennsylvania, Jacksonville, Florida, Detroit, Michigan, to as far away as Los Angles, CA and San Jose, Costa Rica (where we taped our DVD). Just a few of our memories -- While in Detroit, Michigan during a concert, the tenor soloist became moved by the song he was singing and began to testify. He and his family, including their infant son, had just experienced a very serious automobile accident the day before. As he sang and testified, we leaned that their truck not only collided with another car, but turned over!! As he sang about God’s mercy, we were reminded why the name of our group is GRACE. . . . another little, but very significant memory -- One of our sopranos ALWAYS cries when we sing “Lord I Need Thee” While ministering for others often we ourselves end up blessed. Tell us about one of the songs you're sharing and how it has ministered to you. When went to Costa Rica to record our third CD, GraceFull, every experience, good and bad, brought us closer and closer together. We made decisions together, right and wrong (smile) and spent quality time with each other that never would have been possible at home. We gained a valuable understanding of who we are as a group, but more importantly who we are as individuals. We really got to know one another. That trip not only brought as together and tested our faith. . . God made us see how very blessed we are to live here in the United States, brought us back as better Christians, and because we got to know each other better and became “friends”, our vocals became unbelievably cohesive, and all of the songs on “GraceFull” ministered to us, and our tour was a GREAT success! For people who may be sitting on musical talents, what lessons can you share as they seek to find ways of using their talents in ministry? Don’t just sing the words and music, but bring emotion and pure enjoyment to the listener and observe what your audience sees and hears. One of our songs epitomize what we think one should bring to their ministry – Make a joyful noise Lift Him Up! What are some of the benefits of having your own independent label? We can move at our own pace, rather than at the beck and call of a record label. Although we’re not looking for a record label, it would really be great to have a distribution deal! What are some of the short and long term goals of GRACE? “Lift Him Up” was developed collaboratively by members within the GRACE family. While collaborations between one or two members has occurred on other of our CD’s, this is the very first time almost every member of the group provided words, lyrics, and/or vocal background parts to complete the song. The fun came during a rehearsal. Eddie brought the group music that had been written and recorded, but had no words. We took bibles and started brainstorming and exchanging ideas for the song. By the end of the rehearsal, we had the basic finished song as it is recorded on our CD. We encourage every member of the group to write and continue to develop and grow musically. We would also like to expand our ministry by volunteering more. We’ve spent time singing for the homeless, children who are terminally ill, and for non-profit, fund-raising organizations struggling to improve our communities and keep our young people striving to become the very best they can be. When GRACE makes it to heaven, what are some of the things the group is looking forward to the most? Our motivation transcends material gain and is focused on “sharing the message of God’s Grace” with audiences everywhere. We thank each and every one, near and far, for embracing our ministry. The quality of our intent will be evident in the results. When we get to heaven we’ll sing with the Heavenly Choir and continue to PRAISE the Lord!
Moving from a performing group to a recording group came very quickly. We premiered our initial project, a self-titled CD, May 2001 and our sophomore CD, “Windowpanes/live”, June 2002. With a positive wind beneath our wings, we premiered our first DVD and third CD, “GraceFull”, June 2007. All on our independent label GraceWorks.
Shout to Him on high
Praise awaits You, oh God
Lift His name on High.
He is worthy to be praised
Lift Him Up!
And praise His holy name.
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