Jonathan Bellamy reports from the Cafe Royale in London on the DMI BRITISH GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS.

Well, for starters I was late. Not that I blame myself of course. It's not often that a Devonshire Bumpkin has to find a parking space in the West End of London on a Friday night, let alone in a big green van which is taller than most of the parking lots. But I did it, and after a sweaty jog along Regent Street in my black tie and tux I arrived at the Cafe
Royale having only missed the first course. To my surprise they were expecting me and I was promptly whisked off to say "Hi" to the Rev Charles Buckman, Pastor of the DMI (Deliverance Ministries International) Church in East London, pioneer of Gosfest and the DMI Awards and all round jolly nice guy. Exercising a bit of authority he located a seat on a nearby table and the next thing I knew I was chatting away with Ian Traynar (Christian Musicians And Artists Trust) and tucking in to some high quality chicken something or other. One glowing face and pleasantly full stomach later the tables were cleared and the acts began.

Having grown out of the DMI church itself one of the most refreshing aspects of the British awards is its genuine family nature. Everybody seems to know each other, and the confidence that comes with this familiarity encourages an incredible degree of audience participation. With regularity whoops and laughs and claps and hollers echoed throughout the evening and I'm sure, with the greatest of respect, the natural ebullience, energy and freedom that so characterises black audiences had something to do with it too. Where too would you find an award ceremony that embraces the glitz and glamour of a black tie/silver service do with the church outing/community social feel of baking a huge great big birthday cake, putting on a full scale fashion show including complete wedding regalia, and offering a brand new fridge in the raffle? This was different but it was fun.

Of course there was plenty of music too. One of the best performers was the 'crazy' Bulgarian fiddler Georgian Banov, whose Texan Country Hoe Down was so rapturously received he was promptly promoted to assist the delightful Jumoke Fashola to host the actual awards. So too were rappers N-Daze with their superb "Purifier" track, and also Rex Ovire - the man with deep soul (who also did a 10 minute spot at the recent Cross Rhythms Fest). No doubt about it though, the main attractions had to be the jet-lagged, just arrived American sensation Dawkins And Dawkins, and the British gospel giants Nu Colours whose set was described by the new managing director of Nelson Word, Graham Withers, as no less than "great!" Which finally left us with the awards themselves. Amongst others Nu Colours got one, Dawkins And Dawkins got a special one and GLR Gospel Hour presenter Janey Lee Grace nearly didn't. Yes, human dynamo Janey never misses an opportunity and while we were all waiting for her to collect her 'Best Gospel DJ' award where was she but off being the Best Gospel DJ interviewing all the artists. And that was about it really. All that was left was to round the evening off with a rousing "Let There Be Love Shared Among Us" singalong, some encouraging and well deserved prayers for Rev Buckman and the lights were raised. By the way, Chris Cole didn't half look dapper!