Atlanta Electrifies
There was some serious anticipation surrounding the Atlanta show. Backstage there was media, VIP’s and tons of people everywhere! I suppose that since last year, this was the home of the regional competition and the finale, Atl already knew what was in store at Verizon’ Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound, “The Search for the Best Church Choir In America!”
Phillips Arena was packed with 10,678 screaming Gospel music fans; ready to get the praise party started! Another sell-out show that sold over 2,500 tickets in a 24 hour period. Crazy!
As Donald Lawrence stepped on the stage the roar of the crowd was deafening and they were up on their feet singing along to every word. I knew that Atlanta was going to bring some serious down south “crunkness”! The All Star Choir was in full effect backing up Donald on “Let the Word Do the Work” and our host gave the audience an incredible opening performance.
The sold out crowd was definitely excited about tonight’s judges. As always we had resident judge Pastor Marvin Sapp, and our guest judges Kurt Carr and James Fortune. Marvin Sapp gave some extra love to Atl saying “I heard that Atlanta has some of the best church choirs in the country!” This proved to be true tonight, because after the judges’ intro, the competition got underway and the performances were electrifying.
Starting the small choir category was JA Lewis Ensemble from Brown Chapel AME Church singing “Emmanuel”. They were a small group of only 11 with a smooth jazzy sound, sweet harmonies, and a great blend. Kurt Carr enjoyed their originality and Marvin Sapp complemented on their musicality and commitment.
The next choir must have had some friends in the audience because people started screaming as soon as Donald said their name. They opened strong with a statuesque posture and dramatic vocal. The soloists had such big old school voices whose power had the audience on their feet and Pastor Marvin and Kurt Carr jumping in their seats. Their vocal dynamics earned them a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd. Donald gave the director a time to exhort the audience and boy! She started preaching saying “God does not need a stimulus package!”
From Hope Cathedral Church of God in Christ, singing “The Light” came The Voices of Tabernacle. They opened with a traditional choir sound showcasing their powerful vocal skills. Donald and the judges commented on their phenomenal band, with Marvin Sapp saying “your band was playing tonight like they were looking for some jobs! They were auditioning” The choir director had tremendous energy and so did the members. This was a true Atl choir complete with the bounce, the two-step and other popular dance moves. Yet as James Fortune said “with all the energy you all were still able to stay on pitch”, and that’s a good thing!
The judges loved the look of the next choir whose ladies were wearing pink dresses with silver beading and whose gentlemen wore black tuxes. Very classy. The Rose of Sharon International Choir from The Way, the Truth and the Life Christian Center Inc. looked terrific and sang even better; taking a more straightforward approach and delivering the song with reverence, worship and power. Kurt Carr, who penned this great song said, “I appreciate the balance of harmony and the round tone. Awesome.” Pretty impressive!
Donald Lawrence and I had a chance to recognize the young people that performed at the Youth Gospel Showcase before the show. The Voices of a New Era Youth Choir and Praise Dancers did a great job entertaining the crowd before the main event. There is so much going on in the concourse that it’s like you get two events for the price of one! There’s Gospel Karaoke and an exhibit of original artwork commissioned by Verizon Wireless exclusively for How Sweet the Sound. Tonight’s original painting, “One Hundred” by Atlanta artist Dante Yarbrough was one of my favorite pieces in the lobby exhibit.
Next was a performance from Marvin Sapp. The very first line that he sings has the audience out of their seats, hands in the air, and voices raised in praise! I think this song, “Never Would Have Made It,” is one of the most dynamic ballads ever. I mean, what other slow song has the audience screaming in agreement the entire time? It doesn’t hurt that Pastor Marvin has one of the most dynamic voices ever. It must be nice to know that the only thing that comes out of your mouth is pure awesomeness! I’m just sayin’.
Kurt Carr had a high energy opening to Act II singing “Peace And Favor Rest On Us”. This song is so uplifting, and just makes me wanna dance, and that’s exactly what the audience did. The singers were incredible! I don’t know her name, but the soprano singing lead hit some notes I don’t think I’ve heard before! Kurt had the whole audience dancing, jumping and singing along!
Looking lovely in lavender shirt and blacks pants and skirts The Voices of Hillside from Hillside International Truth Center opened the large choir category. Their maturity and conviction shone through as they sang “Total Praise” and they delivered a strong and beautiful performance.
There were a lot of Gospel music heavy hitters in the house tonight! Rickey Dillard, Jason Champion, Teresa Hairston and Alvin Williams from Gospel Music Channel. Donald spotted Lashaun Pace and handed her the mic for a one liner that brought the house down!! THAT woman can sing!
Tabernacle Baptist Church’s Anointed Voices were next singing, “My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord”. They had a fabulous a’cappella intro that secured the audiences attention right away. Wonderful arrangement, solid pitch, big voices, choreography, and dynamics - this choir had it all! A definite crowd pleaser causing James Fortune to say “That was powerful and anointed. From beginning to end you kept us engaged and had us on the edge of our seats. ”
Last years Atlanta winner Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir took to the stage and opened powerfully with “Anthem of Praise”. With fantastic control, perfect pitch and worshipful intensity they had the audience on their feet in the first few lines of the song! This choir was explosive and came prepared to magnify the Lord and defend their title. They turned Phillips Arena out and the crowd erupted in praise when they were finished. It wasn’t over though, because the praise continued! The director started dancing, Kurt Carr was dancing…..everybody was dancing! The judges could barely get their job done because the Spirit was so thick! Once we all finally calmed down, Marvin Sapp was able to say, “You cannot mess with an apostolic, pentecostal church.”
Lastly were Beulahland Bible Church Mass Choir and I mean mass! This 90 member choir came out like a store front church and took us back with that old school gospel quartet feel as they sang “God Is My Everything”. This group was full of fervor and had such fun choreography. They were jumping up there on those choir risers, which is pretty brave if you ask me! James Fortune said “it felt like Sunday morning” and loved their commitment, passion and connection with the audience. The judges were going to have a rough time picking the winners tonight, because all the choirs were on point.
Before we announced who won, we had an awesome performance from James Fortune. His song “I Trust You” really connected with the audience and once again encouraged me!
It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it, and the audience and our judges did it tonight and chose who would be receiving prizes tonight. The small choir winner was the deserving Voices of Tabernacle, earning as check for $10,000. However, it was Atlanta West Pentecostal’s night and they swept the remaining categories. Winning $5,000 as V CAST People’s Choice Award, $10,000 for being the large choir winner and won Overall Regional Winner and will once again represent Atlanta at the finale in Detroit on Nov 7th!
Rose of Sharon was the HopeLine winner tonight, earning an additional 1,000 bringing in 516 phones and the choirs collected a total of 1,612 phones that will be used to assist victims of domestic violence. Because this event is to celebrate the choirs and all the hard work that they do, each choir will receive a minimum of $3,000 just for participating!
It was such a fantastic night that once again proved that Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound is a gift to the Gospel community and we are loving it!! Memphis is next and I can’t wait to see what these choirs bring to the FedEx Forum Monday, Oct 5th. Tickets are just 5-7 dollars so get your tickets now and I’ll see you there!
