The Gospel Music Association Dove Awards took place this month, with Bermuda's gospel group Last Call in attendance. Held at the Allen Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, the awards recognise the accomplishments of artists, musicians, and others within the Christian music industry.

The members of Last Call spoke about the process of getting involved with the 55th annual Dove Awards this year, not only as gospel artists but also as representatives of their own music label, Tridan Music Group.

Tricray Astwood said: “The process was amazing; we have an amazing manager. Her name is Apostle Veryl Howard, and she is always trying to look out for us. She is a very respected manager within the gospel music industry.

“She represents many major artists, so with her contacts and knowledge, she connected us to a lady named Eboni Funderburke, who also does our radio marketing. Eboni is one of the board directors of the Dove Awards, so we secured a spot on the welcome reception through that relationship.

“The welcome reception consists of performances that welcome all the executives. That is where we performed under Tridan Music group because what they do is they get labels to sponsor it. Now that we have our label, we were able to do that. That came with a ten-minute set we were allowed to do.

“Of course, Donnie McClurkin was in the audience, and Cece Winans was there, as well as Bobby Jones, Don Jackson, and a slew of other artists and executives.”

Preparing to take the stage is a process Last Call takes very seriously. “One of the things we had to do was get our music in order,” Adrian Jones said. “There was a time limit for the welcome reception, and many showcases around the Dove Awards.

“On the weekend leading up to the Dove Awards on Tuesday, we did five showcases in total, so we had to condense some of our songs to fit within the time frame they gave us.

“We put the song Victory and the shortened version of Come Lord [Last Call’s new single] on the same track so we could be within the ten-minute time frame. We did that for every show, including the dove welcome reception.

“So, music was a big component, as was rehearsing. Before we left, we rehearsed well; we knew what we were saying and wearing and how we would present it when the time came. There was a good bit that went into it.”

Reflecting on the highlights of their experiences of this significant opportunity, Mr Astwood said: “For me, it was definitely the welcome reception. The showcases were great as well. Many people were in attendance, Anthony Brown and others at the showcases.

“But they were all there at the welcome reception as well as even more of the industry. I was extremely nervous, more nervous than usual; I usually don't get nervous any more with that kind of stuff.

“I think it was because I was in front of our peers, people I look up to, and the industry’s movers, shakers, and gatekeepers, to be frank. So I think with that came the added pressure that these people do this for a living, that this is where they live, and that good singing and performance are nothing to them.

“But I think when we took the stage, God showed up; I think that is the main thing; yes, we sounded amazing, we looked great, and everything was polished, but on top of that, the anointing of God hit that place.

“People had tears in their eyes, people's hands were outstretched, and once we left the stage, people were singing the song Come Lord acapella when we left, so that was just extraordinary.”

Mr Jones added: “In addition to that, I think all of the showcases and the reception were the highlight for me. Connecting with industry individuals and artists in their own right and reconnecting with many people we met earlier in our career that we haven't seen since Covid-19 was a great experience.

“Simply us being able to sit there and see all the artists and what they bring, and anticipate what we will bring. Once again, we have not done an industry event in a while, so we could see our growth from the last time we hit the stage at an industry event up to this point.

“So, to see our growth was amazing. And to see the response, from the movers and shakers, the record executives, the president of the award show, to chart-topping artists to see them respond that way to the music that we have written and produced was mind-blowing; it was a wonderful experience.”

Last Call feels confident about the networking that took place at these various events and is looking forward to new opportunities that will come from this and how it will impact their latest single, Come Lord, recently released.

Mr Jones said: “The song has been on the radio for approximately three months. We have been waiting for it to climb the charts; however, when we sing it in the face of people, the response is always amazing.

“People always worship, speak highly of it, and come to us afterwards to say how they enjoyed it. I will say that after we have done many of these showcases and the Dove reception, I think it will play in the hands of the song in positive motion on the charts."

He continued: “Once again, the rooms were filled with movers and shakers, radio announcers, and people who help music get to where you want it to go. So, the response was amazing from them. They are not just people we are sending it to to put on the radio; those people are now fans of the music.

“They have now had an experience with the music, so I think that will do very well for us when it comes to wanting to see our song do well on the charts. And to be very frank and honest, we want to get another No 1.

“That is not why we wrote the song — we wrote the song for God’s people and those who He is calling to Him. But when it comes to the industry side, we are always gunning for the best, and the top and one thing we want to do is represent the Kingdom well and Bermuda well in the grand scheme of things.”

As they continue to listen to God’s voice, pour into their ministry, and work towards their dreams, they share how Bermuda can continue to support them.

Mr Astwood said: “Regarding support, Bermuda, you can continue doing what you’ve been doing. Prayer is always our number one request; that's why we're here, and that's what sustains us: prayer.

“And then, of course, support; if you see a post, give it a like or a share; it doesn’t take much to do that, and it doesn’t cost anything to do that. And, of course, financially, if we are at your next event, if you can buy a t-shirt and stream our music, that also helps with things. As we mentioned, we do everything ourselves now under Tridan Music Group, our own label, and it is expensive; just because it’s gospel, nothing is free; there are no discounts just because you are doing gospel or church music.”

Mr Jones added: “I just want to jump off of what Tricray said. He covered pretty much everything, but regarding the finances and us receiving finances, everything goes back into the ministry at this juncture and at this point in our ministry.

“We have the label, so everything goes through that: our travel, our music, producers, we have to pay, you name it, whatever we receive at this juncture goes into our ministry, we are investing it back in. When you give, know it is going back into the ministry so we can get this music done, pay for radio so that people can be ministered to, so that we can upload to YouTube.

“Sponsor ads so that people around the world can get the music and be ministered to through the music; know that your money is going to the Kingdom, and that’s what we are using for, and that's why we are asking for that money so that we can continue to fund this ministry to continue to minister to others.”

Mr Jones added: "My encouraging word is that God is in control. This has been a journey of nine years of ministry for Last Call. We have some ups and downs, so those going through life and have experienced ups and downs know that God is in control.

“That is one thing He has reiterated through our lives and our ministry that regardless of what we are going through, what we experience, or how we feel, He is in control as long as we put our faith, our trust, and our lives in His hands we will be OK."

Mr Astwood added: “To the community and any upcoming artist, my advice will always be to learn to hear God’s voice. When you hear His voice and know what He has called you to do, you can do it because if He said that you can do it, He will give you the provision to do it regardless of what anyone else has to say.”