An Amazing Grand Finale!
I’m really having a difficult time trying to put into words the experience that has been How Sweet The SoundTM. So many wonderful moments, incredible performances and lovely people. So much joy and celebration! So much praise!! I am filled with such gratitude, happiness, and yes, a bit of sadness as I attempt to tell you about the most amazing evening. All the hard work, long hours and tireless dedication brought 11 winning choirs to the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for the grand finale of Verizon Wireless’ How Sweet the Sound, The Search for the Best Church Choir in America! 12,799 people flocked to the arena ready to celebrate! That’s our highest attendance yet and the show was totally sold out! Also, the congregations of each of our choirs were able to watch live via simulcast from their home churches! There was such an enormous sense of expectation among the Detroit crowd, and backstage the anticipation was high as well. I couldn’t believe that the finale was finally here!!!
We had so many stars in the house tonight! Of course we were blessed with our host Donald Lawrence and resident judge Pastor Marvin Sapp; along with Byron Cage, Kurt Carr, the Clark Sisters, Brother Hahz and James Fortune. Donald Lawrence and Bro Hahz set it off during the show’s phenomenal opening performance, “Let the Word Do the Work.” The energy was next level! The crowd was on their feet and the sound of almost 13,000 people applauding and screaming at the close of his performance was incredible! I got lots of love and energy from the crowd as I stepped on the stage and it felt great! I was able to surprise the audience by informing them that tonight’s show was going to be broadcast on GMC (Gospel Music Channel) on November 22nd at 8 pm. I’m so excited about that, as everyone will be able to see what an incredible show we had tonight.
Our judges, Pastor Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark Cole and Byron Cage took to the stage and the competition began. First up, representing the Newark region from New York City’s Marble Collegiate Church was Marble Community Choir singing “Down By The Riverside.” They opened with an intricate and impressive arrangement before going in the song’s down-home feel. It was clear that tonight was going to exceed any and all expectations! It was on, and these choirs came to bring the praise and the praise party! Next, came Selected of God from Praise Tabernacle in Grosse Point, Michigan. They were worshipful even as they walked onto the stage and I knew that they were going to be powerful. They were Detroit’s best small choir, the only small choir that we had in the finale. Small in number, but mighty in everything else. They had a big sound, great voices, and huge hearts of praise!
I have to say that on the 2nd night on the tour, in St. Louis, I just fell in love with Faith Baptist Church Choir form Festus, Missouri. As Donald said, “They have so much heart - you can feel it right away.” Detroit must’ve felt it because they loved their performance! The audience was with them every step of the way as they sang “Soon and Very Soon.” That drum beat kicked in and the crowd jumped to their feet and clapped and danced away. It was so much fun! Next, representing the Philadelphia region was the Anointed Voices from the Ford Memorial Temple in Philly. What a powerhouse choir! I loved their arrangement of “Great is Thy faithfulness” It was so beautiful! They showcased the song, but still managed to infuse their personality, strength and flair. Impressive!
Choir 5 was from East Oakland Faith Deliverance Center. Angelic Voices of Deliverance Center Choir our Oakland regional Winner brought down the house singing “Battlefield.” It was so great to enjoy them a second time! Their sound was so massive and they had everyone on their feet. The high energy crowd kept clapping and stomping long after they had finished! The next finalist was from Evangel World Outreach center representing Chicago. The Evangel Celebration Choir sang “Total Praise” and it was unbelievable! It’s amazing because each and every choir takes the stage and reminds me why they are here and how much I loved them in their own regions. Evangel was no exception. The way they sing “Total Praise” is just incredible. The crowd went crazy as they showcased their great strength and control. I loved it!
The multi-talented James Fortune introduced our beloved Marvin Sapp, who, with a live band, showcased his tremendous gifting. He began by singing “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” then went into “I Know it Was The Blood,” then topped it off with his amazing hit “Never Would’ve Made It!” It was an incredible, INCREDIBLE performance. This took us into intermission and audience members ventured back out into the fully decked out concourse where they could enjoy the art exhibit, 12 original paintings commissioned by Verizon Wireless exclusively for HSTS. There was also my personal fave Gospel Karaoke! The Verizon and HSTS staff worked so hard in each city to create a fun filled atmosphere in the lobby of each arena. Tonight, Kierra Sheard’s Bold Right Life Community Choir and the Greater Emmanuel Church of God in Christ Praise Dancers performed at the youth gospel showcase in the lobby and did a terrific job!
Byron Cage jump started Act 2 with an awesome medley of two songs I absolutely love, “I Will Bless The Lord,” and “The Presence of the Lord.” It was phenomenal! He had background singers, dancers, and he sounded amazing. They really rocked it out and it was a great way to get the show going. We introduced two special guests after his performance. Sikita Grayson, Verizon Wireless’ Director of Customer Service informed the audience about HopeLine®, Verizon Wireless’ Charity Initiative that puts wireless equipment and services to work to assist victims of domestic violence. On tour the choirs raised over 8,000 phones, and in honor of those donations Verizon wireless presented a check for $25,000 to the National Network to End Domestic Violence! The NNEDV’s policy director Tralonne Shorter was on stage to accept the check and said how honored she was and how excited they were about partnering with Verizon Wireless. What an amazing gift!
Ok, back to the competition. P. S. A. L. M. S., our LA winners from City of Refuge Church brought it as they sang “Souled Out”! Theatrics, dynamics, choreography, energy-they were off the chain! I loved their style and enthusiasm and the audience did too. They lent such a modern, youthful edge to the show and it was fabulous. Next, from Greater Community Temple Church of God In Christ from Memphis Tennessee was Greater Community Temple Voices singing, “My Soul Doth Magnify The Lord.” I absolutely love what they do to this song! It’s so funky! The band was incredible, the choir was fantastic and you could tell they were just having a good time up there.
Resurrection Baptist Mass Choir, our Houston regional winners, from Schertz, Texas sang “For Every Mountain.” This is truly one of my favorite songs and I was so moved as I listened to them. They really took their time with the song and performed it beautifully. The Atlanta Regional winners, Atlanta West Pentecostal Church Choir were next and I was so excited to hear them sing “Anthem of Praise.” They really brought it in ATL and they continued to stir us up in Detroit. They are so comfortable on the big stage and as they walked to the stage I discovered why. I overheard one of the lead members saying, “Let’s just have church y’all,” and that’s exactly what they did! The crowd was on their feet and it was Sunday AM on Saturday PM at The Joe Louis Arena. As in ATL, they brought the spirit of praise and we worshipped for almost 10 minutes before we could even get to the judging! What a blessed time! The spirit of worship continued as The Remnant Concert Choir from Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA. sang “Blessed Assurance.” This choir, our Washington, DC winners, has the most beautiful sound. Their blend and vocal technique is incredible! They impressed the Detroit crowd with their awesome arrangement and I was so happy to witness their performance again.
Before we announced this evening’s winners, the amazing Clark Sisters performed a medley of some of their hit songs. I love them so much and they are just too good! There were several moments, where I just watched, mouth agape, listening to their incredible vocal gymnastics and unbelievable range. The crowd was on their feet for their hometown queens of Gospel and they put on a great show.
The energy was high as Donald and I walked on the stage, ready to announce this year’s winners. We saw so many fabulous choirs this year, in 11 cities, in front of thousands of people, and now the moment of truth had finally arrived. It was time to announce the winners for the 2009 “How Sweet The Sound” choir competition. We brought all of the choir directors on stage and the anticipation was so thick! Taking home the V CAST People’s Choice Award and a check for $5,000 was Atlanta West Pentecostal Church! Runner up was Mt. Ararat Baptist Church’s Remnant Concert Choir and they received a check for $15,000! The choir that was crowned the Best Church Choir In America was (drumroll please) Atlanta West Pentecostal Church!!!! The excitement was immeasurable as the confetti dropped and the choir praised and Donald led the Detroit audience in a rousing version of “The Best is Yet To Come” It was a truly unforgettable evening and I will cherish every single memory and friend that I’ve made during this experience. I thank everyone who was involved, I had a remarkable time. I’m so grateful to Verizon Wireless for the enormous investment that they’ve made into the Gospel community. What a wonderful way to celebrate the choirs and support the community. I know that they will be abundantly blessed for giving this gift to all of us. I was blessed just to be a part of it.
