Full Transparency
Our editorial transparency tool uses blockchain technology to permanently log all changes made to official releases after publication.
More of our content is being permanently logged via blockchain technology starting [10.23.2020].
In 2011, Stellar Award-winning artist VaShawn Mitchell moved gospel enthusiasts with “Nobody Greater” – a song that Billboard magazine declared the No. 1 Most Played Gospel Song of the year. Before that, he was the youngest person to serve as the minister of music at the Sweet Holy Spirit Church in Chicago, and it’s his connection to the gospel choir that makes Mitchell a perfect judge for Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound gospel choir competition.
Mitchell joined the seven-city tour alongside Tamela Mann, Hezekiah Walker and other gospel music artists to narrow down more than 40 region finalist choirs to seven. The choirs will represent their regions at the finale on Nov. 2 in Los Angeles and compete for a How Sweet the Sound/eOne music recording contract, $25,000 in cash and prizes and the title of “America's Best Gospel Choir.”
While Mitchell says that each of the choirs brought the “wow” factor in the region shows, they should continue to perfect their performances and bring the “heart factor” to the finale. He says of performing, “The hard part is making us [the audience] believe you. We have to believe that you believe what you’re singing about.”
To be a part of Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound finale, visit the website for details.
| Region Show | Advancing Choir |
|---|---|
| New Orleans | Joshua Kagler & Harmonistic Praise of New Orleans |
| Dallas | St. Mark Sanctuary Choir of Little Rock, Ark. |
| Baltimore | Gentle Giant Music Ministries of Hyattsville, Ark. |
| New York | The St. Thomas Gospel Choir of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas of Philadelphia |
| Detroit | Carlos Whitlow & Generation Praise of Detroit |
| Chicago | Souls of Salvation (SOS) of Chicago |
| Atlanta | Darryl Izzard & Christ-N-U of Columbia, S.C. |
