If you read my post yesterday, you know that I really wasn’t sure that I’d watch Sunday’s episode of Sunday Best. I kinda felt like, with these audition cities, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all.
But, after a lil’ convincing from you good people, my interest was piqued and I went ahead and watched. And I have to agree with you– it may have been one of their best episodes to date.
I think the judges in New Orleans– Erica & Tina Campbell and Donnie McClurkin– were hilarious, as usual. For me, it’s about comedic timing and delivery and few can time and deliver better than Tina. Favorite lines from her were her reference to the “fast forward ministry” and “I’ma have to go with the ‘no’ on the ‘sing somethin’ else’.”
I can’t believe that New Orleans has better singers than every other city, so I’m gonna go ahead and say that the edits were dope. We got to see some great talent this time around, but my favorites were LeAndria Johnson (“This Is The Day”), Tiffany Carlin-Laird (“I Know I’ve Been Changed”), and Jonte Thomas (“For Every Mountain”).
Your top 20 contestants for this season of Sunday Best are:
Lamesha “Mesie” Augustine | Indianapolis, IN
Martha Buries | Friendswood, TX
Tiffany Carlin-Laird | Baton Rouge, LA
Franklin Davis | New Orleans, LA
Durward Davis | Tulsa, OK
Brittney Dear | Madison, MS
Bethany Divine | Maumelle, AR
Davon Fleming | Baltimore, MD
Robert Hatcher | Cincinnati, OH
LeAndria Johnson | Ocoee, FL
Elder Goldwire McLendon | Philadelphia, PA
Funmi Oduyemi | Lagos, Nigeria
Vernell Payton | New Orleans, LA
Quiana Pettigrew | Cleveland, OH
Brian Smith | Chicago, IL
Tawanna Tarvin | Monroe, LA
Dathan Thigpen | Ridgeland, MS
Jonte Thomas | New Orleans, LA
David E. Wilford | Millsboro, DE
Orlando D. Wright | Cincinnati, OH
For the second season straight, industry peeps have just casually spilled the Sunday Best beans about the tapings– who’s been moving forward and who’s gone home. They don’t intend to ruin things for me… they just wanna talk. 
In any event, I’ll not be so cruel to you. Tell me who your favorites are!
My favorites are LeAndria Johnson & Tiffany Carlin-Laird. Lovvved LeAndria...I don't think anybody else should sing This Is The Day after that, just call her. lol
Don't you just love those with the inside scoop! LOL!
Will a man win this year???? Thought one would, but with the women this year, that's gonna be hard. Guess I'll have to audition next year to stop my sisters from winning every year!!! LOL!
There is not one west coast contestant this year...I don't think I like that very much...
LeAndria Johnson! Wooooooo! My lord!! Here you have women who lost her home, items in garbage bags, and showed up with the clothes on her back (based on her interview from the show). During her interview she mentioned that when her friends told her to audition, she wasnt trying to hear it! I am glad that she allowed the Holy Spirit to lead her to that audition. I have NEVER heard someone sing from their soul like she did during the audition and I have heard alot of great singers! In the midst of her struggles, she gave him the praise and I felt every single note she sang. It was as if heaven/earth stood still as God directed her to sing that song. We have been talking about Mrs. Johnson since we saw her and the ones who missed the episode will google or attempt to find it on youtube. Too often we complain and dont TRULY appreciate what God has provided us. If we have a 1 bedroom, some complain about getting a 2 bedroom. If we have a 2000 car, some complain about getting a 2025 and the list goes on. However, this women sang this song with none of those worldly items because she knew that she was rich with our heavenly father. Talk about Immediately Humbled, Thank you JESUS!!!!!!!!!! Woooooooooooooo!!!!
My favorite is LaAndria, all man I rewind the dvr several times, she is awesome. For some reason, the guy will the dreads has a nice voice.
I think new orleans had the best auditions by far...being that the vocalists were good, the judges had no real reason to act up...some of these people that come to the auditions KNOW they CANNOT sing, but they still audition anyway...leandra-the BEST so far, though I'm stickin to my first prediciton that a dude is gonna win sunday best(FINALLY!!)We all know that there are "good" singers out there, in fact we can find A LOT of them in our churches, but it takes waaayyy more that a "good voice" or a "nice voice" to win this competition. You have to have something extra...all in all I fully support the judges decision as far as the top 20,now let's see how the REAL competition goes...
Well EJ, we are finally here....down to the finalist (yes)! Um, I just want to speak on last year (still bitter LOL)...although when it got down to it, most of my picks lasted to the end...I was just especially heartbroken when Clifton Ross (name?) and Dontavious Boatright left when they did, but Y'Anna was my pick from the beginning. **Ok, back to the point** Yes, I am echoeing LeAndria....I also fell in love with the guy's voice that wears the Jewish hat (lol) yall know what I mean. I had some more, I like Orlando Wright too, but I thought he was already established(???). It will just be interesting to see how the competition pans out, b/c when the singers perform different songs...true colors come out. Then we can see who can sing the phone book.......the best! :-) Also, I can't wait to see what singers and groups they bring out to perform.
Um, EJ, I have to say that I think New Orleans does have the best singers. This is a very musical city and talents abounds everywhere you go. Okay, so maybe I'm biased because N.O. is where I was born and raised. I am a huge fan of Franklin Davis, I could listen to him sing all day. I have not really watched more than about 20 minutes of Sunday Best and I couldn't get tickets to the tapings (I'm a busy woman), but I am so proud of Kirk Franklin for his promise to come back and do something big for our city after Hurricane Katrina. I'm just glad they're all here.
lol; i like the green leprechaun even though she got rejected! joking! i don't really have a favorite yet...
Z, I wish they would have let her finish or at least sing a little more...that was dead wrong LOL!
i still haven't watched it but it's on my DVR. according to all i've heard, it's not one to miss. i'll get to it...eventually. note to EJ - feel free to ruin things for me, lol! but seriously...
That Leandria Johnson is THE TRUTH!! I want buy her album NOW!
I believe that this season is going to be hott. Martha Buries is something else. I love the comments the judges gave her. I will be watching and following her progress on the show.
The eppy that Leandria sung on is on BET.com. And I think she's gonna win this. Her story was heartbreaking, but she kept on going with the gospel.
I jus have 3 words....Elder Goldwire Mclendon!!..amazing..
LeAndria is the best of the best... She has God favor all over her. She is annointed, gifted and humble... who could ask for more. She needs an album in stores and a tour in progress because I want to be in the front row. God Bless her and her gift... I am her # 1 fan!!!!