A gospel vocal group based in Detroit, Michigan, Witness was an all-female ensemble originally conceived as a counterpart to the popular gospel act Commissioned. Organized by Michael Brooks, a member of Commissioned, the original lineup of Witness featured vocalists Tina Brooks, Diane Campbell, Yolanda Harris, Lisa Page, and Marvie Wright. This edition of Witness released their debut album, Keep Looking Up, in 1987; the album, produced by Brooks and Fred Hammond, was issued by the respected gospel label Tyscot Records. Witness shrunk from a quintet to a quartet for their second album, I've Come Too Far, after Marvie Wright left the group. Polygram Records signed the group in time for their third album, 1989's We Can Make a Difference. The LP was their first to appear on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart, peaking at number 30, and received a Grammy nomination, while Witness also received a Dove Award nomination as Best Contemporary Gospel Group. Witness moved to CGI Records for 1990's Mean What You Say, while 1993's Standard introduced another new lineup of the group. Tina Brooks and Yolanda Harris left the quartet, and Laeh Page and Lou Ann Stewart were added to the ensemble. Standard became a chart success, rising to number 11 on the Gospel Albums listing, and Witness was honored by the Stellar Awards (for Best Contemporary Group Performance), as well as the Gospel Music Workshop Association (Best Contemporary Song). Arriving in 1994, He Can Do the Impossible was another success on the Gospel Albums chart, climbing to number 12, while 1995's A Song in the Night fared even better, peaking at number three. Diane Campbell and Lou Ann Stewart dropped out of Witness after the release of A Song in the Night, and Candace Smith and Ayana Thomas rounded out the quartet for 1998's Love Is an Action Word. Witness went on hiatus after Love Is an Action Word, but five years later, the group reunited to record 2003's An Appointed Time. This lineup of Witness included Lisa Page (now known as Lisa Page Brooks), Lou Ann Stewart, and Laeh Page, as well as Lisa's daughter Natasha Page, and the album was their first effort for Axiom Records. Witness slimmed down to a trio after Natasha Page left the act, and 2005's Speak to the Generation was their first album as a three-piece. It also proved to be the group's last release; the members of Witness dissolved the group in 2006. ~ Mark Deming