Witness was a contemporary gospel group from Detroit, Michigan. Often called the female version of Commissioned, an all-male contemporary gospel group, they were the brainchild of and chiefly produced by Michael A. Brooks, an original member and producer of Commissioned.

Lineup changes and accolades

The group hailed from Detroit, Michigan, and was originally formed as a quintet consisting of

Lisa Page Brooks Lisa Charise Brooks (''née'', Page; born November 23, 1962) is an American urban contemporary gospel, traditional black gospel, and gospel music recording artist and musician. She started her music career, in 1986, with her quartet, Witness (go ...

, Tina Brooks, Yolanda Harris, Diane Campbell, and Marvie Wright. The group was signed to the Tyscot label in 1986 where they produced their debut album ''Keep Looking Up'', after which Wright departed the group. After the release of their fourth album ''Mean What You Say'', Tina Brooks and Yolanda Harris also left. In the years between ''Mean What You Say'' and the release of ''Standard'', LouAnn Stewart joined the group; gospel singer Lizz Lee also briefly joined before being replaced by Lisa's sister Laeh Page. After the release of ''A Song In the Night'', Campbell and Stewart left the group. Detroit singers Ayana Thomas and Candice Smith join the group for ''Love Is An Action Word'', but subsequently left when it went on hiatus in 1999. When Witness returned in 2003 for ''An Appointed Time'', LouAnn Stewart rejoined the group. Tasha Page-Lockhart, daughter of Lisa Page Brooks and future '' Sunday Best'' winner, had also joined the group. Albums ''We Can Make a Difference'' and ''Standard'' received three-star reviews from AllMusic, and albums ''Mean What You Say'' and ''Love Is an Action Word'' got four-star reviews from the publication. Witness's best-reviewed album was ''He Can Do the Impossible'', which was awarded four and a half stars.

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. Hi ...

rated ''Mean What You Say'' a four out of ten, while giving ''A Song in the Night'' a nine out of ten. ''An Appointed Time'' was awarded a seven out of ten, and ''Speak to the Generations'' was rated an eight out of ten. Witness has also experienced ''Billboard'' success with their albums ''He Can Do the Impossible'', ''We Can Make a Difference'', ''Love Is an Action Word'', ''A Song in the Night'', and ''Standard''. Witness was nominated for a

Grammy The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

in 1991 for Best Group/Duo, and was awarded the 1991

GMWA Gospel Music Workshop of America is an international music convention founded by Rev. James Cleveland. GMWA membership Active GMWA Membership ranges from professional and amateur Gospel vocalists to instrumentalists, composers, arrangers, direct ...

Excellence Award for Best Group and the 1993 Stellar Award for Best Performance Group/Duo.

Discography

Albums

Compilations

References

{{Authority control American gospel musical groups Musical groups from Detroit Musical groups established in 1986 1986 establishments in Michigan African-American girl groups Singers from Detroit