Congratulations are in order for Tina, from the gospel duo Mary Mary! Tina gave birth to her son, Santana Campbell on August 4th. Santana was born at 9:16am weighing 7lbs and 5 oz and 18.5 inches long. Campbell and her husband, Teddy, who is also featured on the reality show and is a drummer on the “Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” already have four other children. Mom and baby are both happy and healthy!
Back again..and we are now down to seven finalist..let’s go..
To begin, Chrisette Michelle was the guest artist for today. She sung “Stand”. Chrisette looks amazing and job she did on the song was just as awesome as she looke!!. The theme for tonight was “One Mic”, wherein they limited the musical instruments in an effort to focus on the vocals. Remember we are down to seven finalists so let’s not waste time!!
First up was Dathan Thigpen (You know the handsome brother with the dreadlocks). Tina felt that something about it didn’t quite connect for her. The other judges agreed. He didn’t do as well as I expected. I never really got into his performance and it is sad because his performance last week was great, so you know he is quite capable of doing better.
Next up, Tiffany Carlin-Laird, singing “Goin up Yonder” (one of my favorite songs), and she did a great job. Tina loved it. Yolanda said, “I know that Tremaine Hawkins would love to hear you sing that.” Donnie loved it as well. Without a doubt, we will be seeing her next week.
Durward Davis, was up next. He sung, Kirk Franklin’s “Lean on Me”. I love his range. He really changed the song up, even Kirk Franklin was in awe. Donnie said “What you did in a few minutes with that song was remarkable..” Tina, “That was utter complete shear perfection to me.”
Now, the wild card winner from last week, Martha Burries. It is something about her that I like. Since they decided to bring her back as a wild card pick. And both weeks she has gave stellar performances. So Kudos to the judges for that choice!! As far as her performance tonight, Yolanda said it best when she said, “I think your talent is tremendous”. Tina followed up with “You are probably the most skillful singer in the competition”. Enough said.
Up next…Brian Smith singing Katinas, “Lord I lift my Name on High”. Tina and Yolanda were generous, noting that they liked it. But Donnie felt that it didn’t quite connect for him. I think all 3 judges were right. Brian did a good job singing but I think he could have did more.
LeeAndria Johnson did her THING!! She sung, “Endow Me” by Coko. That girl can sing without a doubt. Yolanda said she is “One of the most phenomenal female voices of our time.” Wow!!
Saving the best for last, Goldwire McLendon, sung “How Great Thou Art”. And once again, he did what he do best. I am constantly amazed by the powerful voice of this man. We should all hope that we have the anointing and power that this man has at 79 years young!!
Now it’s time for elimination and to no surprise Brian Smith and Dathan were sent home. So now we are down to 5 finalists! Can’t wait until next week!!
Episode 5 started off with Donnnie McClurkin, Isaac Carree, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, and Tina Campbell, singing Kirk Franklin’s infamous tribute to Haiti, “Are You Listening?”
Tonight, 10 of 20 finalists performed, the other 10 will perform next week. For the most part, the contestants sang one of the judges songs..so it made it very interesting. So here we go let’s get down to business..
First up was Johntae Thomas from New Orleans. She sung, “Just a Prayer away”, I liked her..wasn’t a big fan of the new rendition, but she can definitely sing. Donnie loved the creativity, enjoyed the presentation. Tina wished it was a little more stage presence, Yolanda Adams agreed with Tina and Donnie, and noted that Johntae looked happy.
Next, LeeAndria Johnson, from Orlando, Florida. Yolanda says the way she delivered the song “..We know that you have been through some things”. Tina said “Baby, the God in you reached the God in me!!” Donnie, said the anointing that she carried came through. They loved her…and so did I!!
Robert Hatcher, from Cincinatti Ohio, sung “What about the children”…. Yolanda Adams said he has an awesome voice, but he came across a bit nervous. Tina said his voice is awesome but he played it to safe. Donnie agreed.
Tawanna Tarwin, from Louisianna was up next. “I will trust you”. Donnie, the voice is phenomenal, she had control. Tina Campbell said listening to her snippet would make her want to buy the song. Yolanda, said “Control, Presence, The whole package!”.
Davon Fleming, 18, from Baltimore, MD. He sung “We Fall Down”. Donnie said he loved the approach but noted that there is a lot of maturation that is going to happen with your voice. Yolanda..wants him to practice the intent of the note. Tina said she didn’t believe him based on his eyes in the beginning, he has to make her feel his passion so she can appreciate the song more. I agree..but he is young and I think if he is starting from the point he is at now..he can’t go nowhere but UP!!
Quiana Pettigrew, from Cleveland, Ohio, sung “Great is your mercy”. Donnie loved the approach, (his song). Tina, vocally, she needed more out of her she didn’t feel like she gave the best of her. Yolanda, agreed, saying give more of you. I thought it fell a little flat but I know in my heart that she got more to give..hope to see more of her.
Next up, the preacher’s kid, Franklin Davis IV, from New Orleans. He want to bring more swagger to gospel music. He sung, “I believe I can fly”. I really liked his take on the song. The judges didn’t seem to be a big fan. While Yolanda said she thinks he is great, she want him to smile a little more. Tina, said she wasn’t really impressed with him vocally. Donnie, didn’t enjoy the notes that he missed, he have to get more confidence.
From Lagos, Funmi Grace Odeyemi, sung “Open up My heart”. I didn’t really like it. I still remember her from the audition when Kim Burrell got her to bring it..but tonight..she didn’t really bring it. Yolanda Adams, said don’t be so careful, feel free, be comfortable in who you are. Donnie, said “You look wonderful, your voice did not match your look”. Ouch!! Tina felt she might have let your nerves get the best of her.
Now…Dward Davis. His performance of Donnie McClurkin’s “Hail Jesus Your My King”. felt like I was at church..he did a great job. Tina said “He made her interested”. She liked everything about it”. Donnie, “You sung the song like I wanted to sing it”. Yolanda, “You came to work, did the work looked the part and the anointing was all over you.” I completely agree. Can’t wait to see more of him.
Oh my..what can I say..I wasn’t ready for this next performance. I really enjoyed his audition but had forgot how awesome he was. Elder Goldwire McClendon was next. He is 79 years old and has been singing every since he was 9 years old. He sung “The Battle is Not Yours”” MY God, My God, My GOD!!!!!!! He got a standing ovation from all 3 judges…and ME at home!!! Yolanda (speaking with tears in her eyes), said “I want to thank you for coming and auditioning”. Donnie….couldn’t do anything but holler..then he turned around and….gave a preaching about Joshua with it…they went to Church in that place!! And all I could say is WINNER..WINNER…. WINNER. Kirk was crying..even coming back from commercial people in the audience were still in tears. What more can I say?
At the end, there was a special treat, a performance by Sunday’s Best Season 2 winner, Y’anna Crawley. She sung her single “Grandma’s Hands”…She looked and sounded great, as always!!! Talk to you next week!! God Bless!!
So you know by now, that the ultimate goal is to find 20 finalist to contend for the title of Sunday’s Best. In week one, they chose 7 people in Lagos, out of which one would ultimately be chosen to come to the US to contend for the big prize. Five contenders were then chosen from auditions in Detroit, then 5 more from the auditions that aired last week in Philadelphia, so how many came from the “Who Dat” city? I will at least say, this episode was by far the best one yet (at least the one with the most talent shown).
Well, let’s recap…
First up we had the wonderful 21 year old lady who sung “His Eyes is On The Sparrow”, Donnie McClurkin said “No”. Erica and Tina agreed!! So better luck next time.
Then, there was Derrick, singing “I know I’ve Been Changed”..clearly he just wanted to be on TV. I won’t even waste any more energy commenting on that performance.
Donnie and Tina kept it humorous as young Corian came up singing no other than Donnie McClurkin’s “We Fall Down”. Tina, simply said “I’m gonna go with a NO on trying something else”. Donnie just replied “Why my song?”
Okay so where is the talent..
Then came Mr. Dathan Thigpen. Definitely a very handsome young man! As he opened his mouth and sung the words..”And thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory”, you could feel the anointing. Tina said he was “Fantastic”. Erica and Donnie agreed. Donnie just noted that he was too old to be wearing jeans with holes in them!!
Then up was a nice choir that traveled all the way from Mississippi together to see if some members of their ministry would be the next Sunday’s Best. I thought there was a small chance for Ashton Samuels, who sung “O How I love Jesus” when Erica said “Yes”. But unfortunately, Tina and Donnie said no. So sorry for the choir that no one from their group made it.
Then there was Tiffany. She blew me away singing, ”I know I’ve Changed”, Tina said “You are a beast!”, She is the one to watch out for!! DEFINITELY!!
The feel good story of the episode goes to LeeAndria, “This is the day that the lord has made”, Lost her house, everything was put in bags, came , Erica, Tina, and Donnie, Erica said her heart, passion, voice and anointing. Tina said this is the best she has seen since they been there!!!
Tawanna Tarbin was up next!! She was good too!! She sung “Yes, Jesus loves me”. And did a great job. Look out for her!
And the final contestants were:
Jontae Thomas, who lost everything during Hurricane Katrina, but said that she still have her children and husband! She sung “I’ve Got So Much to Thank God For”. The judges loved the precision of her voice, Erica said, it was “Just great!!”. Tina agreed!!
Martha Burries, sung “The Lord’s Prayers”, and she sanggggg that thing!! She sounded good, she was there with her sister. They lost their mother in August!! Martha said she could feel her mother’s presence during her audition, and that helped her make it through.
Cameron Turner, sung “How Great Thou Art”, liked her voice but they didn’t think she had the entire package.
Troy Lee, with his blond bun, sung “The Lord’s Prayers”, he had a very very big voice but not right for them. I have to admit it, I don’t know what I was expecting him to sound like, but he did surprise me.
Franklin Davis IV, Erica said you can really sing, but all the other stuff got on their nerves. Gave him a second chance, he sung “Jesus Loves Me” and guess what? He is gonna put on his Sunday’s Best.
Britany Deer (sp?), the Sunday school teacher impressed the judges. Erica, said her presentation seems pure and honest, thought her sound was a little more R & B like, but nevertheless she is putting on her Sunday’s Best!!
Vernell Payton Jr., tried out 2 times before, he sung “Jesus is love”, and what can I say, the 3rd time is the charm!!
Then they announced the winner who is coming back to the US from the auditions in Nigeria. Out of the 7 finalists….they are bringing back..Fummi Oduyemi 26 years old, she sung “I sing because I am Happy, that is the one Kim Burrell challenged!! She needs to thanks Kim Burrell for that victory!! See you next week!!
The third episode of BET’s Sunday’s Best kicked off in the city of Brotherly Love, yes that’s right, PHILLYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! The regular judges Donnie McClurkin and Tina Campbell were there. Kim Burrell was back sitting in for Erica Campbell, who is very much pregnant with a son and was not in attendance.
First off, did you see the guy with the dummy?..Major no no!! There were a lot of good singers overall. Many people forgot the words, which makes me feel bad because if given the chance, they may actually be really good singers..but it is a competition and if you can’t remember the words at this stage then it doesn’t make sense for you to move on to the actual show where you sing a different song every week!!
Bethany Divine did a good job. She sung “Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles of This World”. I think it will be nice to see her again. I was highly surprised by the voice that came out of the woman from Bulgaria (Maria). She was really good!! Another good singer was the brother Davon. He sang Mary Mary’s Yesterday. The judges loved him!! So no surprise Donnie McClurkin told him to put on his Sunday’s Best!!! Singer Orlando Wright did a good job but that is no surprise given he has been in stage plays and sung background for some leading gospel artists. Then there was my favorite performance of the night, 10 year old Kimani. He sung “Blessed Assurance” and I was left in awe. Too bad he is too young for the competition but I have no doubt we will be seeing a lot of him. Finally, did you see Elder McClendon!! No really, did you see him!! I almost fell out of the chair when he said he was 79 years old. He looks GREAT for his age. He was truly awesome and I look forward to seeing him as well…Well see you next week for another update!
