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Torrence’s Take On Sunday Best, The Finale!
May 10th, 2009This one might be long or short. I just won’t know until I’m done typing. My apologies for not posting this immediately after the show Sunday like I normally do, but last night I was spent. Watching this season unfold from the online auditions that started last year, to in person auditions, to the “birth” of this blog, and watching each weekly episode, I became very “close” to all of this. I had met at some point almost all of the contestants, even if it was just by phone or email. I had gone back and forth with myself and friends (and some of you 
), trying to guess who would win, who should win, etc. So by the final episode after all we’d been through, I was a bit of a mess. After finally discovering who would be named our Season 2 Sunday Best winner, I just needed to breathe. So now that you’ve heard that melodramatic rant and have accepted my apologies (better had!)…. On with the show!
Kirk Franklin brings out our two finalists. Both Y’Anna and Jessica give us some heartfelt testimonies about how far their lives have come just in the last year. It was a bit of a “moment.”
But boyyyyyyyyyyyy was that moment ruined with that romanticized MKS infomercial they threw in there! Kirk wore me thin with that one. “Ooh look at it, it’s just so beautiful. Touch it.” Subtle much? Ha! OK let me stop, we love the folks at Lincoln. And the car is hot! (Hehehe)
Next up, this season’s mentor and one of my favorite gospel artists, Donald Lawrence and Co. performed their hit “Back II Eden.” Those of you who know me and/or follow me on twitter (twitter.com/TorrenceG) know that this is one of my favorite new songs but also a song that gives me much grief. Why? Because it is such a painful reminder that although I can carry a little tune, I cannot play an instrument. (I’m told my tambourine skills from back in the 80’s/90’s don’t count.) Donald and his crew killed it though. They’re so professional! Oh yeah, special shout out to Latrice Pace! I don’t know how she does it. She sang background vocals the entire season, sang background for The William’s Brothers on the show, performed with her family group “The Anointed Pace Sisters” a few weeks ago on the show, AND then performed with Donald Lawrence last night. That woman works and you know she’s good, because she’s singing with EVERYBODY! Latrice, take a vacation! You surely have worked for it.
We then got to hear Y’Anna and Jessica do a remixed version of New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain.” Interestingly enough, that’s one of my favorite New Edition songs too. Johnny Gill used to go OFF on that thing! Ha! But anyway, I think the ladies sounded amazing on it. I know some folks were probably disappointed that they didn’t sing a traditional gospel song, but I’ve learned that there can be ministry in places where you LEAST expect it.
Next, Y’Anna comes back to perform Donald Lawrence and Tri City’s hit “Encourage Yourself.” Miss Y’Anna was still very hoarse but she just has a way of powering through!
Right after that, Jessica Reedy returned to perform the hymn “I Surrender All.” Jessica, Jessica, Jessica is all I can say. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house in ATL and neither was there in my house! Something very, very special happened there and I have to be careful as I type this. This blog post could end right here if I think about it too hard. Call the usher!
Next up was another special guest performance. BeBe and CeCe Winans reunite to perform their new song “Close To You” and announce their new album and tour. It was good to see them together again, but didn’t you get the feeling that they were still kind of learning the song? Haha. I know most of us probably wanted them to sing “Heaven” or one of their classic songs, but that’s what the tour is for! You can sit next to Tina Campbell of Mary Mary. She’s bought enough concert tickets this season to have some show to attend everyday for the next 6 months!
Next up, the moment of truth. Y’Anna Crawley is declared the winner of Sunday Best!
I want to end by giving a huge congratulations to both Jessica Reedy and Y’Anna Crawley for making it to the finals and for being an awesome set of finalists. I don’t know if you noticed but last week when each of them guest blogged, neither one of them specifically or explicitly said “vote for me.” That says a lot about the character of these young ladies. You both are awesome!
Y’Anna, congratulations are due to you for a hard sung competition. You sang us up, down and your gift CANNOT be denied. Make sure to keep singing ‘em crazy!
Jessica, I told you “You Got This” when I first met you in DC and not a single thing has changed. YOU STILL GOT THIS! I mean that, it’s really only the beginning for you. Gospel NEEDS you and we’re glad you’re here!
Well folks, that’s it for me…today. Thanks for coming for the ride, but this is just the beginning. The blog and ME are sticking around, so now that the show is over, don’t disappear. I’ve got some surprises in the coming days and weeks as well as just more good gospel interviews and views from yours truly. Trust me, gospel is about to blow up on BET & BET.com, I can’t say everything, but there’s some good stuff coming.
I’m out!
Torrence
I was shocked but not surprised but the results of the competition.
Both ladies are so very talented. In the back of my mind, I kind of knew America would go for the more outgoing entertainer, but I must admit, I held hope that the anointing would win. The anointing felt when Ms. Ready sang/ministered in song was awesome in every way. She seemed so sincere. Well it wasn’t to be, but it is my prayer that God will still open the right doors for her gift to be used for the world to hear.
If she reads this, I want her to know this; Ms Ready, you have blessed my life. Keep letting God use you. Be you and do you and watch Him work through you.
Is it me, or was the final song lip synched? I notice that this was the only time Ms. Crawley sang with the *$? flush against her mouth.
Just wondering…
All in all, a big, BIG disappointment for the finale…hope next year is better.
Looking forward to Ms. Latice Crawford’s debut CD. I can’t wait to get THAT one…
Don’t know why my words were ** out. It should read “microphone flush against her mouth”
Was the last song lip synched? That was the first and only time Ms. Crawley held the microphone that close to her lips…
I guess there is a problem with the comment section. It edited out my words as if I had said something profane. I just noticed that the microphone never left the front of Ms. Crawley’s face. Looked as if she was lip synching…
Latice, please get us that CD!
That last song seemed to have been lip synched. Ms. Crawley’s mannerisms were totally different than the other performances.
Why?
Congrats to Y’Anna and Jessica for holding it down every Sunday night for the us godly folks these last couple of weeks. Every Sunday we were blessed to hear good music from talented ministers of songs. I know that there is something in store for both women not only because of their talents, but because of their love of GOD. He will take care of them both according to HIS riches and glory and there is enough of it to go around! GOD BLESS BET for SUNDAY BEST!
Was the last song lip synched?
Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I personally felt that both Y’anna and Jessica are annointed and both are deserving of being Sundays best. With Y’anna winning she gets the automatic contract, but of course Jessica will be signed to a label. We can all support our favorite, I for one will purchase, Y’anna, Jessica, Latice, and Dontavies without a doubt. Good luck and much success to all and may God continue to bless you and may you all continue to be a blessing to others.
Bo YA ! Told ya’ll Yianna was going to Win.Congratulations to both contestants.And addition to this Latice Crawford ,I still think u were the best.My friends and family still talk about you Latice,we thank u for sharing our gift,and we await your album.
Finally the voters did something right. Dont get me wrong Jessica is the bomb and she will do well. But Y’Anna just had the Sunday Best. Jessica was to predictable. Y’Anna brought something different everytime. Congrats girl cant wait for the cd to drop. God Bless!!
Hands down, Y’Anna Crawley was and is the BEST!
NO SURPRISE IF YOU REALLY WATCHED THE SHOW.
OH WELL, YOU COULD PERDICT LAST SEASON SHOW AS WELL1
GOD BLESS EVERYONE!
LATICE CRAWFORD was the greatest of ALL,no doubt, hands down, FUH SURE,but congratulations to Yianna and Jessica.
Yes, I believe Y’anna last song was pre-recorded due to her voice wasn’t holding up. Congrats, Y’anna! Ms. Y’anna, girl, your gift is awsome. Continue to show up and show out. Jessica there’s so much more in store for you. You had me crying along with BeBe and Erica . Your voice is beautiful, pure and amazing. Ladies you are truly are blessed and highly favored. Tina was right, both of you are necessary to gospel music and I can’t wait until both of your CD’s hit the stores.
Does nyone think that Y’anna’s album is coming out really quick … the new song and stuff or is it just me? Homegirl didn’t waste any time. The song’s cool though. I think she’s gonna be like the solo version of MARYMARY.
Well her vocals were off tonight but I still say congratulations to you. There was something kinda weird about the show but oh well. Jessica…. you my girl 4 life. There is an anointing on u, u 20yr old!!! Maybe God wants you to be in the hand of the right producer… to get the right contract. Follow God and He’ll lead you. Lattice I say the same to you girl!!! I wanted to see you on that stage tonight but God knows everything best.
God Bless you guyz.