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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
Congradulation Y’Anna! You are a very blessed singer! I will be praying for you and supporting your gospel career. You are truly gifted. Jessica, what a beautiful voice you have. “I Surrender” is one of my favorite songs. Yep, you made me cry. The purerty of your voice is absolutely priceless. Stay humble and continue to let the Lord use you. This was just the beginning God isn’t done with you yet. I’m praying for you! Both of you ladies has blessed me more than words can describe. I can’t wait until both of your CD’s drop. May God continue to bless you and keep you is my prayer!
May God bless both Jessica and y anna they are both amazing women and God has some good things in store for both of you. Keep looking to the hills and don’t turn back God bless
This show has brought me through… My life is extremely hectic n I barely have time 4 TV, but every Sunday I was tuned in. The last few weeks has brought my family closer by watching Sundays Best. We experienced a hard loss and I see light while watching this show. 2day being mothers day and experiencing it without my grandmother was extremely tough. When I turned 2 BET my heart smiled knowing this is something we would watch 2gether. I have never been the spiritual kind but I’ve found peace with God through music. I haven’t listened 2 rap or RnB since. I just want 2 say congrats 2 Y’anna although I was looking 4ward 2 Jessica winning bcuz of how unique her voice is. God bless both you ladies! And thank you for connecting me with Jesus. I am eternally grateful and blessed through your music. I look 4ward 2 praising Christ with ur songs. Be blessed!
I Love BeBe and CeCe performance was excellent along with Donald Lawrence performance.I just can’t wait till Y’anna album comes out her song she sung at the end gave the the chills!!!.
Well, it’s finally over. Congratulations to Y’anna! Jessica sang well tonight. Kirk, you are a nut! You add a funny side to things as a host. I bought your new album recently, and I love the song, Help Me Believe. I really liked your previous album, though. It was phenomenal.
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to some of my season favorites:
Kalind Haynes-absolutely talented. I liked when you picked up your leg when you sang, Center of My Joy. That was priceless.
Latice, ofcourse–you’re still my favorite. When can I pick up your album, sister?
Zeb–can you come and sing with us?
Dontavious (maybe I spelled your name wrong)–awesome voice and a demonstration of great musicianship.
Ross–You remind me of my college gospel choir director, except he couldn’t sing. Keep doin’ it. Luv your voice.
Griffen–You were great and should have advanced further in the show.
John–Is that you in the Jonathan Nelson video, My Name Is Victory? I saw it on YouTube, I could have sworn it was you. You’se handsome, youngsta’.
Gotta’ go.
This was the first time I have ever view this Gospel show the last season I was in and out of the hospital my body affected with Stage 3 Cancer in my liver, which spread to my heart causing Carcinoid Heart and now Kidney failure, and the latest of Lupus. But all U guys on this Gospel Contest show has lightened my spirit thank U for singing to me and the world that all caught the show. U all were wonderful the 20 that I saw sang and missed a few shows cause of the illness i wasn’t well but today I saw a full recap of all singers but what happened to Miss Audry, the older lady who sang like an angel, but they kept showing Carolyn from Los Angeles…? Anyway Y’anna U did a great job U made me feel so good inside and I felt Jesus I struggle sometimes cause I get so ill but thanks Latice thanks also and Zebulon, Dontavious too. Jessica U have a cute voice but girl get that education U need it cause U have a son and U must be able to teach him education is always changing but on top of Ur game GET IT DONE. Its so important… U said U know what God has showed U what U have inside U but finish that education. For U and him! Thank U all for Ur talent i can’t get to church as much now in the past year but it has been a pleasure to watch U all sing and watch TBN everyday I wish I could hear U all sing everyday… guess I could have taped it OOOps forgot! Good Luck to U all I pray U all get a recording contract that sang on the show all 30 or the last 20… Good God Blessing to U all too!
Thanks for making my spirit feel full for the hour U sang to me in my SICK BED. La Tanya H… Calif.
I have searched all over the internet for the song that bebe and cece sang. It really touched my spirit. can anyone please point me in the right direction towards a title or an album
I think both finalist were AMAZING! but I was shocked that Jessica was not the winner. She has been the winner in MY book the whole show. She has the most beautiful, anointing and unique voice. Dont get me wrong, Y’Anna can “sang” but its just somethin about Jessica that just when she sings, it touches people (BeBe for example). I’m sure some smart record label will scoop her up. Overall, they both did fantastic. I look forward to CDs from both finalists and Latice Crawford also. Congratulations Y’Anna.
@Shorty2k It’s on their myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/bebeandcecewinans
Y’Anna congratulations. The ladies can both “sang”. Jessica can sang, the Holy Spirit’s presence is felt when she sings and her gift from God draws you in and allows the listeners to connect.
We all remember Jennifer Hudson.
Right Canika,
Can we all remember Jennifer Hudson… Enough said.
Y’anna – Congrats! Your voice is just so much more mature and ready then Jessica’s voice. Jessica will record too I’m sure, but this was a competition and the masses spoke. I didn’t like how the show ended. I’m glad I read that there were 2 tapings and that shows why Y’anna seemed disconnected when she won – she didn’t seem happy like she really won so I was worried that something happened, but the 2 tapings explained it. Also, I think the last song was pre-recorded b/c I could really tell Y’anna’s voice was hoarse from the “Encourgage Yourself” song. I was ready for her to tear that up, but I was like poor baby, her voice is going out! I thought BeBe and Erica was crying b/c they were touched by Jessica’s song, but now that I think about it, I think they were crying b/c they knew Jessica didn’t win. Congrats to them both though!
The only good thing in the finale was BeBe and CeCe. It was already obvious that Y’anna was going to win. She acted rather cocky to me upon winning. Very disappointing.
Jessica was robbed!! She was clearly the BEST, there are thousand of Y’anna. Be Be and Erica cried because they knew Y’anna didn’t deserve to win and there wasn’t antything they could do.
I was very disappointed in the outcome of the show. I think clearly without a doubt that Jessica Reedy should have won.Y’ANNA can sing YES ,but you need more than that to reach people. It’s all about ministry and I know Jessica was a perfect candidate.
I knew Ms. Crawley would win her stage presence was perfect. Both young women deserve to but there can only be on Sunday Best. Y’anna you blessed me and your last song was “WoW”. Please stay focused.
Alesia in Missouri – I agree with you…Y’anna was a bit too cocky for me. Congrats to both of them.
I just want to make a general comment about the gospel music industry. It has relevance to this show as well. The reason why so many in the industry lead lives completely antithetical to Christ is because they know deep down that people care more about supposed talent than anointing. When I say anointing, I am not talking about runs or scatting or yelling or shouting, I am talking about somebody conveying the life-transforming power of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As I read these comments, I see a whole lot of people conflating singing ability with being a regenerate believer, which is just disturbing. Both of these ladies can sing, everyone who was on the show could sing, that wasn’t the point. I thought it was about finding someone who could reach the lost while keeping Christ front and center. If this show isn’t about accomplishing that, I honestly don’t care how entertaining it is, I refuse to watch it anymore.
To Alesia i Missouri and others, Y’anna acted cocky to me too, but that’s b/c there were 2 tapings and they couldn’t show how they really felt. I can’t make u understand what I’m saying. They taped 2 endings as if they each actually won and they had to “fake win” b/c they didn’t know who won yet. That explains Y’anna’s cockiness after winning. She hadn’t actually won yet so she couldn’t show her true emotions.
Congratulations “Jessica Reedy”!! You are the real Sunday’s Best!! I don’t think I will watch the show or BET any more. They pulled the same stunt as last year. No disrespect to Y’anna and I wish her God’s speed. But Jessica you are AWESOME and I can’t wait for your CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!