Sunday Best Contestant Shari Addison to Release CD Soon
Big thanks to loyal reader Heather for letting everyone know that Sunday Best runner-up, Shari Addison will be releasing her highly anticipated CD in November. She also shared her myspace where you can listen to "How Great Thou Art" and "No Blessing No Battle".
I also found another myspace for the beautiful songstress, where you can see a video of her singing at the Chicago Gospel Fest.
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Crystal Aikin is Gospel Music’s Sunday Best!!!
Crystal Aikin is Sunday Best!! Over one million people voted for Crystal Aikin to be BET’s first Sunday Best winner!! The show was great, everybody looked fabulous, and the singing was out of this world. Crystal and Shari represented the gospel of Christ well and showed grace and humility while doing so.
There is a difference between just singing and
having the anointing on you.-Jermaine Sellers
The show started with Kirk Franklin singing “Declaration (This is It)” from his new album. Lots of energy on this song! Bebe Winans was looking quite handsome and the girls of Mary Mary were looking very beautiful. The judges did a great job throughout the series! They offered up great advice, encouragement, and entertainment without being unnecessarily mean.
Shari, looking beatiful in black, sung “Talk it Over With Jesus”, and took everybody to church. Her performances are always good! You just run out of things to say………………….. She was the judges wild card and ended up being in the final two. Just blessed! BeBe Winans told her that this was her season and she should enjoy the ride.
“You know what America? My daughter Lindsey is here along
with my other daughters. I want you to know, God is working
miracles. If you need one I dare you to trust Him.
He’ll work it out!”-Shari Addison
Crystal, looking especially radiant, sang “We Acknowledge You” and she sang like it was her last time! Awesome performance! When she finished Kirk had to give her and the audience a few minutes to “get it out”. One of the ladies of Mary Mary said there was a lot of liberty and joy that exuded from her.
Yolanda Adams was the special guest and she sang “Open Up My Heart”. When Yolanda sings you just sit back and enjoy. She is so flawless and her songs minister to the heart. It sounded to me like BET was having some technical difficulties during Yolanda’s set. I’m sure this will get cleaned up for the reruns.
Shari and Crystal performed their verson of Mary Mary’s hit song, “Yesterday”, and they killed it! Before the big moment, Kirk told the two finalists that he was proud to see that God still had people he could use for His glory. After a lot of build-up until the audience and the finalists couldn’t take it anymore, Kirk announced Crystal Aikin BET’s Sunday Best Winner for 2007. She was speechless and teary eyed. It was a great moment. I think Crystal and Shari were both excellent, but there can only be one winner. In a sense, they both did win.
It was a great show! As Dottie People’s would say, “God showed up and showed out”. I can’t wait for next year! Thanks for reading and continue to support the music that has the power to transform lives.
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Gospel Music News!
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Christmas at Union Station with Mandisa and George Huff
1. I love Mandisa! I just recently read her book, Idoleyes: My New Perspective on Faith, Fat & Fame
Her story is one of strong faith in God. She recounts how she literally relied on God to direct her through the American Idol process. I enjoyed the book. It is always encouraging to read someone else’s story and be reminded that we all go through trials, but God always has great things in store for us. The book and the CD, True Beauty
2. Gospel Music brings it’s message to Rome for the holiday season!~The Inspirational Choir of Harlem
3. Don’t forget to vote in the first ever Gospel Music Channel Video Awards. You can vote until December 5th. Videos by Mary Mary (”Yesterday”), Fred Hammond, Melvin Williams, Shirley Murdock, KiKi Sheard, and Michah Stampley are up for voting. In The Gospel Hip Hop category, Da Truth & Tye Tribbett (”Who Am I”), Soul P, Tonex, Kevin L, and Toby Mac are also up for their videos.~Gospel Music Channel Video Awards
4. Missouri Gospel Announcers Guild is having an Artist Showchase in St. Louis, MO on December 14-15.~December Artist Showcase
5. Don’t forget to watch the live finale of Sunday Best! It will be on BET at 7 p.m. central tomorrow. I can’t wait! If you are in Studio City there are free tickets available.~Crystal & Shari, BET
Sunday Best-Powerful Stuff!! Gospel Music at it’s Finest
Who will stay and who will go? Stephanie Mills was the guest this week and she started the show singing “Sweeping Through The City” with the contestants. She was great and her performance was full of energy and passion. I must say the guest talent throughout the contest has been excellent. Good to see that the show can pull in such great entertainers.
“God has brought me so far. From beginning to end, this is not easy at all. It’s a blessing to have ministered to as many young people as I have ministered to.”
Well, just as everyone thought, Jermaine got the boot. Not because he wasn’t good, because he was. The talent is just great and he was next in line. I’m proud of him! He did a stellar job and repped himself well. I’m going to miss his unique and anointed voice.
“Don’t give up on your dreams. A lot of people have written their
eulogies on their giftings. You just need to know, if God promised it shall
come to pass, and if you trust Him, your latter shall be greater than your past.”
And then there were two……Crystal and Mrs. Shari. The theme this week was judges choice. The showdown started with Mrs. Shari. She came out in a long flowing gown looking beautiful. The judges choice for her first song was, “Ain’t No Need To Worry”. She came out singing nice and subdued, but then gave it her special treatment close to the end. She did a fantastic job! She took a highly recongnizable song and turned it into her own. BeBe Winans said he was glad to be in the gospel music industry because of people like her.
“What’s been most special is hearing unsaved staff members affected.
I’ve heard people who don’t go to church say, I’m going to start going to church.
So for me, I feel like we’re doing a job and purpose is being met.”
Next Crystal sang “Optimistic”, and she connected with the crowd right away. She really works to draw the audience to her. She looked beautiful as well. I like the hairstyle Crystal! Erica said she liked how Crystal let the song build and she liked how she used her gift. Bebe thought she was a fantastic singer and communicator. Erica said her timing was impeccable and she was a skilled musician.
The next round of songs from the contestants was truly anointed. I guess they saved the absolute best for last. Shari sang “We Need A Word From The Lord” and she killed it. It was awesome, powerful, anointed and just a joy to watch. Tina said she was anointed and the power of God just takes over when she sings. Erica said she beautifully articulated the message of the song.
Crystal sang “Even Me” and she also did a standout job. How can anybody choose between the two? I say let them both win! Tina said she it was a privilege to watch her perform, Erica said that it was hard to critique her because she knows just what to do, and BeBe said he saw her performing all over the world.
This weeks show was powerful! I wish I could have been there. After Shari sung one of her songs, Kirk Franklin mentioned history being made. I feel that way about the entire show. It’s certainly one for the history books! I’m proud of BET for producing such a great show. Well there it is. It is in the hands of God and His people. Tough, tough decision.
Visit BET to see videos of the performances and to get more info on the contestants. Stay tuned next Tuesday for the live finale. It’s not to be missed!
