The Competition Begins on "Sunday Best"

If last night's edition of Sunday Best was any indication of what we have to look forward to for the rest of the season, we are in for a real treat. Mary Mary and Kierra Sheard opened up the show with God in Me, the newest single from Double-M's latest album, The Sound. After that, the 20 finalists did the reprise -- which we REALLY could've done without.

Ten of the 20 singers performed last night. Here's how it went down...

Tammy Turner opened up the competition with her rendition of Tramaine Hawkins' classic, Look at Me. The lady from Jessup, Maryland did a very good job, and the judges -- BeBe Winans, and Erica and Tina Campbell -- agreed.

Next up was Washington, DC's Clifton Ross the Third. His take on Behold the Lamb was good, but it sounded like he was on the upper end of his range. I personally thought he sounded like it was a strain. The judges, however, thought he nailed it.

Cammille Betton of Columbus, Ohio took us back to the old school with Just a Closer Walk With Thee. Her rich alto was a good fit for the song. While Erica and BeBe liked her performance, Tina thought the song didn't showcase her best talents.

Jeff Spain brought in a quiet anointing with his version of Seasons. While the New Yorker's vocal performance wasn't necessarily the most powerful, his anointing certainly was. BeBe thought it was smooth, Tina liked the sincerity in his eyes, and Erica thought his approach was gentle, but great.

Jessica Reedy has the distinction of being the youngest singer this season. Even though the Saginaw, Michigan native's chronological age is 20, her voice is extremely mature. Yolanda Adams' Just a Prayer Away was her song choice. She pitched it lower and took some liberties with the melody, but overall, it was good. While Erica thought she could've stretched more, BeBe liked it. Tina thought Jessica's take was gentle but sure, powerful but light.

Jonathan Johnson showed his Louisville, Kentucky roots with his take on He's Always There. The 22-year-old's voice was very traditional sounding. Bebe called it husky. Overall the judges liked it, but Tina called him out for being pitchy.

Latice Crawford's large voice was in direct contrast to her sleight frame. Even though the Queens, New York native's take on Peace Be Still was reminiscent of Vanessa Bell Armstrong, she made it her own. The background singers were completely on-point, too. It was so good that Latice almost got her shout on! The judges went crazy. Erica mentioned the anointing in her singing, Tina was rendered speechless, and BeBe started speaking in tongues.

Richard Smallwood's Center of My Joy was Kalind Haynes choice of song. Even though he sounded like a Will Downing knock off, his voice was really good, and the background singers really brought it together for the Chicago resident. BeBe called him his type of singer because he could understand what he was saying. Erica called it musically excellent; while Tina called it clean, confident, and sure.

Another Chicagoan, Audrey Lewis, really did her thing on He Looked Beyond My Faults. Mama Lewis was your typical old school singer, and she was great. Prior to singing, host Kirk Franklin revealed that she'd recently quit her job to sing full time. After her performance, BeBe told her she should've done it long time ago. Both Tina and Erica agreed.

The final singer of the evening was Atlanta's own Zebulon Ellis. He came out like an old-school preacher as he sang God is Standing By. The judges absolutely loved the way he owned the stage.

In the end, everyone was so good that they weren't able to eliminate anyone. Stay tuned next week to see how this thing turns out.