Well, well, well… I’m not one to say “I told ya so,” but… I did tell ya so.

Tony LeBron was selected as the winner of the 2009 Gospel Dream competition on Gospel Music Channel.  Judges Mitchell Solarek, Michelle Williams and J Moss chose the 34 year-old singer from among thousands of hopefuls.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see the finale because I’m in Cincinnati for GMWA.  I recorded it on my DVR and I’ll check it out when I get home.  In the meantime, here’s what I need from you guys… I need YOU to give ME the recap this time around.

How was Tony’s performance?  How were the performances from NeVar Massey and Robert Mauti?  Do you think Tony deserved to win this one?  Were the judges as hilarious as usual?  How was the performance from last year’s winner, Melinda Watts?  Did you like the song?  How’d she look?  GIMME ALL OF THAT!

Talk to me!

I’m so not joking.

I intended to watch the performances, but I fell asleep right after J Moss performed his new single, “Restored,” before the studio audience.  Speaking of which, he did a decent job, though I’ve heard him better live.  This was taped a couple of months ago, so maybe he was still finding his performance groove for this song.  Either way, it’s still one of my fave new tracks this summer…

Back to the show– I ended up waking up for the beginning of each song, but fell asleep by the end of each one.  General observations, however, are as follows:

1.  Accurate pitch is foundational to singing.  Meaning:  it’s not just something you use when you wanna… you kinda have to NOT be flat or sharp every couple of lines.

2.  Vocal control is harder than you think.  Meaning:  yeah, you THOUGHT you were killin’ the vamp of that song, but you soooo weren’t.  Killin’ me…

3.  There’s something to be said about knowing your own vocal limitations.  Meaning:  if you’ve never tried it at home, don’t do it on stage.  EVER.

4.  Song selection is important in these competitions.  Meaning:  just cuz it’s your jam in the shower doesn’t mean it’s gonna be OUR jam when you’re on stage.

The judges sent ALL THREE ladies packin’ at once, leaving three finalists– NeVar Massey, Tony LeBron and Robert Mauti.

Personally, I think Erin Lyder performed better than ever last night, so I think she should’ve stuck around (she performed Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart”).  Also, I REALLY like Jasmine Jackson’s voice, but she kept selecting huuuuge songs that were too big for her, so we never really saw her in her element (by the way, does anyone else think that she resembles a young version of Kirk Franklin’s wife, Tammy Franklin?).  And Amber Davies… I think she has an awesome voice, but it never really clicked for us.

NEXT week is the finale.  If I had to pick my fave, I’d pick NeVar Massey.  If I had to predict the winner, I’d say Tony LeBron.  We’ll see.

The show will also feature a guest performance from 2008 Gospel Dream winner Melinda Watts (it’s gonna be TIGHT).

Who else watched?  What did you think???

I finally brought myself to watch the most recent episode recorded on my DVR, and I must admit that it was better this time around.  In my opinion, the guys brought it better than the ladies.

A quick recap…

NeVar Massey – “Bless The Lord” by Tye Tribbett:  I agreed with Mitchell Solarek– didn’t like the song selection AT ALL.  The song is my jam, but it’s not fit for a singing competition because it requires too much exhortation, not enough vocal demonstration.  You’re good, dude, so show us those chops!

Robert Mauti – “Change The World” by Eric Clapton:  I enjoyed his overall performance, despite the rough spots.  He added a bit too much “artificial soul.”  And, as a rule, can we all agree that if a song is wrought with the ad lib “baby,” it’s NOT fitting for a gospel singing competition?!  It’s my fave from Clapton, but I think they’re already singing that one on American Idol.

Tim Stylez – “Praise Him In Advance” by Marvin Sapp:  Tim is too churchy for his own good on this show.  They might’ve appreciated that last season, but we’re in a ”Wind Beneath My Wings” situation.  That said, he’s got a great heart and a nice voice.  He prolly shoulda gone for Sunday Best.

Tony LeBron – “The Power Of One” by Israel Houghton:  I know that he’s a favorite of the judges, but it’s a lot of broadway vibrato for me to handle sometimes.  He’s got a pure voice, a peaceful voice… and the fact that he’s bilingual and uses Spanish verses or bridges to spice it up is great.  He strikes me as a balladeer, but I wanna see him work a fast song.

Travis Lindseth - “You Are Everything” by Matthew West:  This actually started as one of the most authentic and moving performances of the evening.  But as the song grew, it became clear that he didn’t exactly know how to work the stage and it got a bit uncomfortable.  Vocally, he’s got a great tone, but not the best control.  That said, I kinda wanna hear him in 2 years.

In the end, the judges kept Tony and Robert, the ladies used their wildcard to keep NeVar.  I was kinda rooting for Tim cuz he’s such a pleasant kat… hopefully, this won’t deter him.

I wanna point out an unfortunate reality that explains why I think I’m perpetually disappointed at some point during each show…

Each contestant has RAW talent, some more than others, but none of them demonstrate experience in honing that talent.  Compare the finalists on American Idol or Sunday Best– they weren’t professionals, but they were POLISHED in a way that we don’t see on this season of Gospel Dream.  It’s frustrating that the caliber of singers isn’t high– the best vocalists on Gospel Dream would struggle in a competition against the Sunday Best hopefuls who were turned away in episode one.

That said, I’m interested to tune-in on Wednesday, when the remaining 6 semi-finalists go head-to-head.

What did you guys think?