Sunday Best Not the American Idol of the Gospel World

Are--you--in? Or, are you out? Sunday Best Season 4 is in its third week. Now's the time to watch on Black Entertainment Television, Sundays at 8pm. Sunday Best promises to bring you the best in gospel singers. If you didn't watch seasons one, two and three, you missed some of the best singing talent the world has to offer--period.

Sunday Best, is hosted by Kirk Franklin, gospel singer and songwriter. The panel of judges, Donnie McClurkin, pastor, singer and songwriter, and Tina Campbell and Erica Campbell, of the Grammy Award winning gospel duo, Mary Mary, are the current judges for season 4.

Sunday Best is the first and only gospel competition of its kind. Sunday Best provides an avenue for gospel singers that have been closed to them in the secular world. Almost in spite of that, Sunday Best has excelled when it comes to bringing out the true powerhouse singers that competitions the likes of American Idol have yet to see. Once you watch, I think you'll agree, Sunday Best has managed to bring out the best of the very best in singers.

The current season's winner, Le'Andria Johnson, not to be mistaken for a powerhouse singer but rather a singer full of power, full of anointing, and a true praise singer. Le'Andria is different because she doesn't simply sound good; Le'Andria sings to your soul. She sings to the unresolved hurt that have yet to be addressed in many of us. Yes, she has a beautiful voice, but that is only part of her multi-faceted singing persona. She's a unique, soulful, and refreshing singer. Paradoxically, Le'Andria combines a thug persona with the anointing. It's not something she does herself, it's God working in and through her. The world has never seen this brand of anointing before. I believe this is God's will to show the world he is an all-encompassing God. And, God guides Le'Andrea in skillfully doing, what she's so very good at...bringing the house down every time. Don't miss her rendition of "I Hasten To His Throne" where she goes all the way to church and she, the judges and the audience shouts. Le'Andria knows what to sing, how to sing it and delivers it with anointing so that it touches souls and changes lives.

Donnie McClurkin said LeAndria was going to minister to 6.2 million people around the globe. When he said this, little did I know that I, too, would be changed. I am a born-again Christian raised in the church, so I thought her song ministry would be for those caught up in the secular world. Not so. Her songs, "He Was There All The Time," "Maybe God's Trying To Tell You Something," (from the Color Purple) "Endow Me" and "I Hasten To His Throne" spoke to my heart and seriously changed my attitude about a serious personal issue that befell several family members. When Le'Andria sang "He Was There All The Time," she reminded me that God watches over all things-HE was there. When she sang "Maybe God's Trying To Tell You Something" she witnessed to me that my way is not necessarily God's way. And when she sang, I Hasten To His Throne" she prophesied to me; not matter what you're going through, in all things be humble. I was changed by her song ministry.

Le'Andria promises to be one of the greatest gospel singers of our time. Yolanda Adams noted she was privileged to hear one of the most phenomenal female voices of our time. Kim Burrell noted after her performance of "He Was There All The Time" that she heard so many singers in her performance: Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Aretha Franklin, and Kim Burrell followed up with, "...and then there was Le'Andria". Tina Campbell, may have said it best: when performing Le'Andria gives from her soul. Her debut album "The Awakening of LeAndria Johnson" is set to be released in stores September 6, notes gospelpundit.

Elder Goldwire McClendon, was first runner up in season 3. This might not seem a big accomplishment, except, Elder Goldwire McClendon is 79-years-old. Elder Goldwire McClendon with his anointed singing, more than likely has ushered in an era where the older singer-one thought to be past their prime-will audition in more of these types of competitions. With Elder Goldwire McClendon all you can do is smile. He's soothing to your soul. He delivers the gospel with an angelic flair, full of the anointing, and full of the holy ghost. You'll feel the presence and the blessings of God on his life when he sings, "Yes Jesus Loves Me" "He's Keeping Me Alive" (he dances) and "How Great Thou Art" (a real treat!).

Then take another season 3 contestant, second runner up, Durward Davis. Durward Davis consistently exhibited mastery in taking war-torn classics and re-making them into his own, so much so, that when he finishes singing, you wonder "...well, what did the original song sound like anyway?" He has put his signature style and vocals on every song. Case in point, he sang Kirk Franklin's (the host) song "Lean on Me, prompting Kirk Franklin post-performance to say, "Makes me want to go back and re-write it. Mine was worse. This is incredible." Most notable was Durward's rendition of "I Believe in You and Me". He belted out this song so powerfully his voice filled every rafter, shingle and crevice in the room-it was no less than absolutely amazing. His single "I Believe In You and Me," was recently released, and if Durward sings it in the same vein, it is sure to be a million-seller. Durward has also released "I Believe in You and Me" as a ringtone. Listen to a 35-second clip at the link (courtesy of myxer.com).

Then there's Tiffany Carline-Laird, one of two fourth runners up, with a soulful, sweet, mellow vocal skill that you can't resist. Tiffany commands the stage, she knows how to deliver, and she exhibits the suave of a seasoned, professional singer. Tiffany has been compared to having the vocal delivery of Aretha Franklin. Tiffany Carline-Laird is a true joy to watch.