Y'Anna Crawley Wins "Sunday Best"

Y'Anna Crawley won the title of Sunday Best last night. She not only got a recording contract, she also drove away with a 2009 Lincoln MKS.

While I could've died three whole deaths when Y'Anna and Jessica Reedy did a gospel-infested version of the New Edition classic, Can You Stand the Rain, I think I was more upset by the outfit Y'Anna chose to wear. (Note to stylists everywhere: sometimes more really is more -- especially when it comes to covering my bodacious sisters.)

The highlight of the show was the television debut of BeBe & CeCe Winans' new single, Close to You. I realized two things as I watched their performance -- one, I really like the song, and two, I can't for the life of me figure out why they stopped performing together. Kirk Franklin mentioned that they'd be going on tour, and please know and trust that the Macklicious One will be SOMEWHERE in the house!

While I think Jessica put up a valiant effort for the title -- and she's an extremely talented singer -- this competition wasn't hers to win. Her sultry delivery was great, but since they were looking for a Sunday morning-type of singer, she just didn't fit the bill. Do I think she's out of the game? Hardly! I'm sure she'll get signed before the day is up. As Tina and Erica Campbell -- the ladies of Mary Mary -- kept telling her, she's needed in the gospel industry. I, for one, can't wait to hear what she's got up her sleeve.

I really enjoyed this season of Sunday Best, and thank you for following it with me.

Two More Go Home on "Sunday Best"

This week's edition of Sunday Best found the contestants getting makeovers and G1 mobile phones. Here's how it went down...

Zebulon Ellis was announced as the wildcard contestant and he opened the show. He sang Donny Hathaway's A Song for You. Even though I'm usually of the mind that folks need to leave Donny's music alone, Zeb did an okay job of it. Since he was trying to gospelize it, he dragged it out in places that really didn't need it. However, he brought it together with some beautiful high notes at the end. Tina Campbell called his rendition fantastic. Bebe Winans echoed my sentiments about touching a Donny song, but said that he made it his own. Finally, Erica Campbell called his performance perfect.

Jessica Reedy came next with Just As I Am. Her smooth alto gave life and beauty to the song. Host Kirk Franklin had to bow. Erica loved everything about her singing. Bebe loved her tone, and Tina was almost rendered her speechless.

John McClure Jr. did You Are My Life. The Fred Hammond song was provided a smooth backdrop to showcase the loveliness of his voice. Erica thought he did a great job, and Bebe called his performance a quiet storm. Tina wanted him to hold some notes so we could fully experience his voice.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand was Latice Crawford's choice this week. Even though it was obvious that she was hoarse, her voice was still in fine form. In fact, she ministered that song like it had been a Sunday morning staple. Bebe acknowledged her hoarseness, but still said she was spectacular. Tina was completely impressed and promised to buy her records. Erica called her performance anointed and incredible.

Dontavies Boatwright did Chris Tomlin's How Great is Our God. While it wasn't bad, I don't think it was his best performance. However, Bebe, Erica, and Tina loved it.

Y'Anna Crawley finished off the night with her rendition of Waiting on the World to Change. Even though John Mayer probably wasn't thinking anywhere near gospel when he wrote this tune, Y'Anna's take on it changed the game completely. While Tina and Erica didn't think it was her best performance, they still liked what she did with the song. Meanwhile, Bebe told Y'Anna to forget the sisters better known as Mary Mary and listen to him. He was completely impressed with her version of the song.

After a stellar performance from Ann Nesby, Dontavies Boatwright and John McClure Jr. were eliminated. That leaves Y'Anna Crawley, Jessica Reedy, Latice Crawford, and Zebulon Ellis to duke it out for the title.

Five More Go Home on "Sunday Best"

The theme of this week's edition of Sunday Best was Sowing Seeds of Faith and Overcoming Doubt, and Kirk Franklin's performance of his Grammy Award winning song, Help Me Believe from The Fight of My Life album fit in nicely.

The ten finalists were competing for five spots. Here's how it went down...

Dontavies Boatwright kicked off the competition with Glory to Glory to Glory. His rich baritone was well complemented by the Fred Hammond tune. Judges Bebe Winans, Erica Campbell, and Tina Campbell all agreed that his rendition was the bomb. Erica even went so far as to say that there wasn't a voice in Gospel like his at this moment.

Jessica Reedy was next with a jazzy rendition of Kirk Franklin's Brighter Day. This Saginaw vocalist has a smooth tone that really made it work. Kirk was outdone -- and it showed. The judges loved it.

Clifton Ross III sang Total Praise. His take on the song was beautiful and smooth. He took it all the way up and brought it back down on the chorus, which was nice. Even though Bebe mentioned his nervousness, he said that Clifton brought it home. Erica said that while the restraint and low-register singing he used in the beginning was nice, she thought he could've distributed the power of his voice more. Meanwhile, Tina was of the opinion that he could've used his middle range more. Overall, though, they liked it.

Long Island, New York's finest, John McClure Jr., gave his testimony in song, and it was pretty good. Bebe wanted less growling and movement and more singing. Both Tina and Erica liked the way he took them to church.

Y'Anna Crawley wore out Grandma's Hands. And when I say wore out, that's exactly what I mean. Kirk said it just don't make no sense. She rendered Erica and Tina practically speechless. Bebe called her sassy and said it was great to be her because she has "it." Kirk asked her to do that last line and she hit it on the money. Incredible.

Zebulon Ellis' take on He's Able was a little different. The arrangement was familiar, but just barely. He did a good job, but I wasn't impressed. Bebe wasn't, either. He thought it wasn't the greatest performance, but he enjoyed it. Erica enjoyed it, and Tina said that he brought the experience to the people.

Jeff Spain's performance was, by far, the weakest one this week. His take on Mary Mary's version of Yesterday was dry at best, and his expression was very bland. Erica wanted more intensity, more energy, and more audience connection. Tina wasn't impressed at all. Bebe said he lost the connection but remained smooth.

Carolyn Johnson White sang Karen Clark Sheard's A Secret Place. The elder stateswoman of the competition wasn't as impressive this week as she was last week, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever heard. The judges liked her restraint and professionalism.

Kalind Hayes' Balm in Gilead really did bring a healing to the competition. His smooth yet intense delivery made the song work. Bebe didn't like the song selection, but he liked how he sang it. Erica said that his smooth voice would be a welcomed addition to the Gospel industry. Tina didn't think it was his best performance, but appreciated his skill.

Latice Crawford finished it off with another Karen Clark Sheard tune, A Praying Spirit. This New Yorker sang the song well, but the last note wasn't that great. Tina called her amazing. Bebe went into tongues, and Erica said she was blessed have experienced her voice.

The five singers that advanced to the next round are:

Jessica Reedy
Dontavies Boatwright
Y'Anna Crawley
Latice Crawford
John McClure

Kirk said that one of the singers was a wildcard. He said we'd have to tune in next week to find out who that person was and what that would mean. And that's just what we'll do.

Gospel Tidbits...

Here's what's going in Gospel, courtesy of GospelFlava.com...

Lawrence Matthews is finally walking into his season with a new recording. The Bay Area-based artist will be doing his thing this Sunday, April 4th at Love Center Church in Oakland, California. Just in case you didn't know, Matthews was one of the first artists signed to GospoCentric Records. In addition to his work with the legendary Hawkins family, he's probably best known for his hits, Savior Do Not Pass Me By and Create In Me...

Inez Andrews is celebrating her 80th birthday with a concert in Chicago. Angela Spivey & The Voices of Victory, Milas Armour, and Willie Rogers of The Soul Stirrers will be on hand for the festivites at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Monday, April 13th. DeAndre Patterson will do the honors as the MC. Andrews joined the The Caravans in 1957 and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002...

And finally, Tina and Erica Campbell -- better known as Mary Mary -- are hitting the road. The Sunday Best judges kick off their month-long tour in Anapolis, Maryland on Wednesday, April 8th, with stops in New York, New Orleans, and Las Vegas before rapping things up in Anaheim on Thursday, April 30th. Here's a list of the dates:

April 8 -- Anapolis, MD
April 9 -- New York, NY
April 13 -- Alexandria, VA
April 14 -- Foxboro, MA
April 17 -- New Orleans, LA
April 18 -- Lake Charles, LA
April 19 -- Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX
April 24 -- Las Vegas, NV
April 26 -- Los Angeles, CA
April 28 -- Oakland, CA
April 29 -- Sacramento, CA
April 30 -- Anaheim, CA

Ten Finalists Named on "Sunday Best"

This was the second competition installment of Sunday Best, and this was the week they made eliminations. After a stellar opening by Byron Cage and the contestants singing I Will Bless the Lord, the festivities began...

Pete Robinson was first up. The Vineland, New Jersey resident sang Through it All. His delivery started off pretty shaky, but it came together in the end. Judge Tina Campbell didn't think it was his strongest performance and she thought he didn't connect with the audience. In addition, there were pitch problems. Both BeBe Winans and Erica Campbell agreed. Erica also thought it would be good if he sang the chorus -- the known part of the song -- along with the background singers.

Y'Anna Crawley did Mt. Rainier, Maryland proud with her rendition of For Every Mountain. To let you know how good it was, the audience gave the 31-year-old a standing ovation. The judges had no choice but to agree. BeBe went so far as to say that she was a great singer that he could listen to all day.

Maurice Griffin had a great voice that was showcased nicely with In the Midst of it All. This 22-year-old minister of music from Chicago came out in a low-key fashion, but brought it together as he sang. BeBe said Griffin sounded like a grownup, but he looked like an elementary school student. All the judges liked him.

One of the shakiest performer of the night was Sharon Gomez. The Baltimore, Maryland resident Great is Thy Faithfulness. While her sincerity shined through, her voice wasn't that impressive. While the judges thought her voice was nice, there weren't impressed with her performance. Tina blamed it on her nerves, and Erica agreed.

I'm Lost Without You was John McClure Jr's choice of song. While I wasn't impressed with his take on the BeBe and CeCe Winans classic, the judges liked it. Of course, BeBe reminded us why we loved the song by taking his turn on it.

Host Kirk Franklin liked the arrangement of Melodies From Heaven that Crystal Holland chose to sing. The Chicagoan gave it a jazzy feel that was really nice. Erica thought there was something inconsistent about Holland's performance, Tina thought she didn't connect, and BeBe felt like it was mechanical.

While I realize that Sunday Best is a singing competition, I think it's important to look good when you sing. Unfortunately, Sacramento native Ian J. Knighton obviously didn't agree. Even though his take on The Presence of the Lord is Here was good, his suit didn't fit him well. Erica liked the way he engaged the audience, BeBe thought the song was too short, and Tina invited him to her church.

Another shaky singer was Cecoya Burch. The Atlanta, Georgia native's weak performance of Mary Mary's In the Morning left a lot to be desired. While Tina and Erica were kind and said decent things, it was obvious to me that they weren't overjoyed at Burch's rendition.

Kirk called Dontavies Boatwright a Black Pavarotti -- a reference to the great operatic singer, Luciano Pavarotti -- and he was absolutely right. Boatwright's take on What the World Need Now is Love was awesome, and the judges agreed.

The final performance of the night was Los Angeles' own Carolyn Johnson White. This seasoned singer took it old school with I Know I've Been Changed. Even though she had some pitch problems in the beginning, she managed to pull it together before her time was up, and that note she hit at the end was well worth the wait. Jesus showed up, and the audience almost went in. The judges were thoroughly impressed with the 60-year-old, and when she talked about how grateful she was to be in the number with all the children, the audience went wild.

In the end, ten singers were eliminated. They were Tammy Turner, Cammille Betton, Jonathan Johnson, Audrey Lewis, Pete Robinson, Maurice Griffin, Sharon Gomez, Cecoya Burch, Crystal Holland, and Ian J. Knighton.

Here are the ten Sunday Best finalists:

John McClure Jr.
Kalind Haynes
Jessica Reedy
Zebulon Ellis
Y'Anna Crawley
Carolyn Johnson-White
Dontavies Boatwright
Latice Crawford
Jeff Spain
Clifton Ross III

Tune in next week to see how this thing turns out...

My Take on "Sunday Best"

The second season of BET's Sunday Best premiered last night with a theme of change. While the players -- host Kirk Franklin, and judges Tina and Erica Campbell of Mary Mary and Bebe Winans -- stayed the same, the venue was moved from Los Angeles to Atlanta.

This year's winner will receive a recording contract and a 2009 Lincoln MKS. We were allowed to watch the audition process, which started in ATL and ended in Chicago.

There were some interesting characters. Most notably was Margaret Fowler. This woman from the Atlanta audition was dressed from head to toe in pink -- and let's just say it wasn't pretty. Her intention was to sing Amazing Grace, but Erica asked her to do a song that would utilize the bells on her shoes. After her not-so-rousing rendition of Joy Bells Ringing in My Soul, she was sent away.

Naturally, there were some inspirational moments. One that stood out for me was a young lady named Danielle. Even though she was a stutterer from way back, she could sing. Even though her take on When the Saints Go to Worship didn't make the cut, the judges gave her some encouraging words.

When all was said and done, ten finalists made the cut:

Dontavies Boatwright
Sequoia Burch
Zebulon Ellis
Maurice Griffin
Ian Knighton
Jeff Spain
Kaylon Haynes
Audrey Lewis
Crystal Holland
Jonathan Johnson

Tune in next week when Sunday Best finishes up the audition process in Washington, DC.

"Sunday Best" Returns!

Sunday Best is returning to the BET lineup. The second season of gospel's answer to American Idol will debut on Sunday, March 8th at 9pm ET/PT. Last year's team -- host Kirk Franklin and judges Mary Mary (Erica and Tina Campbell) and BeBe Winans -- remains intact.