“We are celebrating choirs … because they are the unsung heroes of the [African American community] and this is an event that gives them a chance to get on the national stage with lights, camera and action to let them do their thing like they do on Sunday morning in their local churches,” explained Lawrence.
How Sweet the Sound co-host Lisa Kimmey-Winans of the acclaimed Winans gospel music dynasty expressed unbridled enthusiasm for the musical celebration and got in on the action when she performed gospel music karaoke style on the arena’s concourse. “This is an occasion for church choirs to shine on the big stage,” she beamed as the choirs prepared to take the stage.
How Sweet the Sound’s illustrious panel of judges — comprised of gospel music powerhouses: Pastor Marvin Sapp of “Never Would Have Made It” fame; prolific gospel composer and singer Kurt Carr, and ASCAP’s Writer’s Award (2006) and Top Gospel Song Award (2008) winner James Fortune, brought their considerable talents and musical prowess to add to the overall experience.
“Hands down the best singers and the best musicians come from church. I believe that these people taking the stage tonight and performing in front of 20,000 people cheering for them is going to encourage them and show them that they don’t have to sell out and go to [non-secular] music to be heard,” said Carr.
Judges and competition hosts agreed that they had high expectations for Atlanta’s choirs.
“I expect Atlanta to bring it. I’ve been involved in this competition since it was first organized and each year brings a new level of real spiritual outpouring and rejoicing for the choirs and the audience members to get, and be impacted through song,” added Sapp.
The tour culminates in a musical finale in Detroit where the regional winners from 11 U.S. cities will vie for the honor of being named the best church choir in the country and a cash prize of $25,000. –-roz edward
