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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 agree with everyone. Ayanna could sing and holler very loud, however, Jessica was different, I cried many times when she sang vbecause she truely touched my soul. I think even the judges felt that Jessica should have one. It seems like they were apologizing to her for not winning when they were doing the critiques. However, I think Jessica is going to be fine. Somebody is going to give her a contract, let’s all pray on that ofr her. I felt that she was very sincere. ayana did seem cocky at the end, and she is another version of last years winner. By the way, have we heard anything from last years winner????????????????
I was shocked and saddened that Jennifer did not win. She has a beautiful and unique voice that brings tears to my eyes. She touches my heart because she sang with sincerity. You could feel the Lord in her voice.
I think the judges were phony, when they were crying and acting so blessed with her voice. Then they turned around and did not choose here.
I think Donald Lawrence was too hard on her. He gave the winner good pumped up gospel beats and gave her the slower ones. She could have done other songs as well that had the audience clapping. I do not want to purchase more of Donald’s songs right now. He always acts so hurried. He needs to slow down if he is doing too much.
He came to my church a few years ago, and he just looked anguished. He wants us to buy his music, but he is agitated when you try to stop and talk to him. He should have exercised patience with her.
I will be the first to purchase her CD when it comes out. I know someone needs to give her a contract.
We love you Jennifer. God bless you.
Jessica Reedy!
WoW! Isn’t she incredible. Hey.. listen, it doesn’t matter that she didn’t win the title, which she CLEARLY deserved to win. Jessica Reedy WILL be the artist that all the gospel greats are going to fall over each other to work with. Y’anna didn’t truly win this.. and we are all going to see that as time goes by… just watch, y’all know I’m telling the truth. I mean, we’ve already heard evidence of this. Did not Mary Mary ask her to duet with them after she absolutely KILLED “God Has Smiled On Me?” As others have pointed out, we’ve got Y’anna type singers coming out of our ears. While Y’anna is a heck of a singer, she’s not bringing anything unique to gospel music. Jessica Reedy on the other hand, is introducing something pretty rare to gospel.. that being.. the true ability to actually SAAANG without having to squall the black off the back of your neck, LOL. The woman can really SING, and doesn’t have to shout, grind or grit out notes. She can do all the riffs and runs, all the shading and embellishing that we love to hear our singers do. And what about the sista’s tone and her “bottom”, lol… those low notes she can sing in, spin in, swing in. And I love the jazz influences her voice offers. The woman is BAD. I’m sure Jessica’s roster is ALREADY filled, lol. I’m sure of it. Her sound is sooo new and exciting! We Want Reedy!!
1st off, I realize that the entire show, it was pre-recorded. Nothing was Live about it. If you’re wondering how I came to this conclusion, it’s because Zebulon performed at a local church in my hometown on yesterday, and he was at all of the services (Antioch Baptist Church-Beaumont, Texas). I know he wouldn’t have had time to be sitting in the audience last night during the final show. I wish they would have done the show like the 1st season because it seemed more real and live. 2ndly- The reaction of the contestants and audience showed that this was just some recorded show that they did with Y’Anna and Jessica. They both probably did a last performance, and act like they won. Plus, Y’Anna’s mom would have been more excited!!! 3rd- where was the ribbons, confetti, balloons, etc. like the 1st season. 4th- They both were still hoarse. If they would have sang last night, they probably wouldn’t have been hoarse.
All this made me wonder about the voting system….Hopefully if they come back next season, they will review all of the mistakes they made, and get with the program.
I wondered why Y’Anna wore that particular dress revealing all of her tattoo’s. I had never seen all of those until last night.
Overall, I am glad, excited, happy that Y’Anna wone because she can SING!!!! She can sing fast, slow, any kind of song, and I think she will do well!!! God Bless all the contestants because they each have wonderful voices.
First of all Congrats Ms. Y’anna Crawley. You have a very smooth voice with just enough sass. Ms. Jessica Reedy– girl you are awesome- gifted- annointed. Some people are c/o the jazzy sound that you have fit almost for a club scene. Hold your head up and don’t you change one bit. The lord uses people in the church as well as out of the church. That same person who likes jazz in the club might hear you and listen to what your’e singing about and want to know the God that you sing about. You sent shivers through me with your renditions of God has smiled on me–I won’t complain– then I surrender all. WOW!! You were so nice when I met you at Krogers and I wished you well and told you saaaang! You hugged me and were so nice. God bless you and that contract is coming along with more blessings you can hold. Saginaw loves you girl as well as a lot more cities.God bless you as well Ms. Crawley.
Aii I want to say is,Jessica was an annoiting singer.When she sang,When God smile’s on me,I burst into tears and cried because the way she was singing touched my heart and that rarely happens unless I know when the person is a child of the lord and it shows through them in songs or preaching the gospel.Jessica you are truly a wonderful person through your music.God bless you and your child. From the heart of Navajo land.
To La Mont, many of us thought that Jessica would have won. Jessica may not have been the Sunday Best winner but she is still a winner……You posted earlier about Yannie being the screaming, “heavy set” gospel singer that america can’t get past. Can we NOT bring a weight issue into this? Some of the outfits they picked for her did not compliment her but Yannie is still beautiful.
Some of you truly should be ashamed of yourselves. Saying Yannie didn’t deserve this. Yannie’s going the fail. I mean who in the world are you. I wish people would stop judging her. She is not COCKY at all. She is such a sweet and humble person. Her AURA is amazing. SHE DESERVES IT BECAUSE GOD SAID SO!!!! She is amazingly talented, she’s in a class of her own. Some of you guys based on your responses are definitely coming off as BITTER, SALTY, IGNORANT and yall need to reel yourselves in quick!!! I’m a pray for yall because the nastiness being expressed is ridiculous. God has a plan for both Yannie and Jessica and they both will be blessed and succeed.
Hey BEBE was u crying cause JESSICA sang I surrender all.Tell me it ain’t so. If that’s the case Y’ANNA made MARY MARY miss her grandmama.I’m just asking?
To Jama: My sentiments exactly. This was the most confusing show I’ve ever witnessed in the Spirit. One thing I know ifor sure, is God is not the author of confusion. I will be looking forward to hearing my favorite singer Latice Crawford’s CD in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean for real yall like really, this is why they should not even make shows like this because of the people that make crazy comments on here and all across the world, “I heard this, I heard that, I seen this, I seen that” OMG get over it and get a life. The girl won TO GOD BE THE GLORY and the other girl didnt SO WHAT. Dang like who you like and go on dang. everybody’s electricity should just go out and then what are you going to complain about because you wont have jack to watch on TV anymore so now what. It was a show there are a lot of things that goes on during competitions that we will never be able to explain but we should not yell that its rigged or she was cocky. They are both women of GOD let’s just stop to say thank God for that and everything else can be history.
Ok this whole blog is truly not Christian like and it’s amazing how people will even go as far as to complain about a show with people singing to the glory of God! Y’anna is an incredible singer I have expected her to win since the beginning. But Jessica has grown into a remarkable singer throughout the show. She is very young and blessed she will go very far with her career. But to sit here and say that she is cocky and not humble is absurd. I have seen her praise God and nearly shout on several of the shows. Just because Jessica cries more does not make her more holy. Everyone has their own way of praising God. And as long as you are getting through to him it doesn’t matter. God is still great and merciful and he is never late he is always on time! So what is meant for Jessica will come to pass! You people are on here doubting the works of Jesus! Get it together! Congratulations to Y’anna you are truly blessed, beautiful, and encouraging to listen to can’t wait to get your cd. And Jessica you are a blessed beautiful woman you will make it because you already know you can do all things through Christ who strenghthens you! Amen!
was very disappointed that latrice crawford was not crown sunday best. she was the best gospel singer on the whole show, after she was voted off i was unable to watch the show anymore. i pray that somebody will give her a record deal and i will be waiting to get her cd ,i will be waiting for the next sunday best with new judges such yolanda adams, pastor shirley ceaser,dorothy norwood, and other who are the backbone of true gospel.latice was my choice for sunday best. she touched my heart with her singing.
FIRST,
LET ME START OFF BY SAYING, CONGRATULATIONS TO Y’ANNA CROWLEY ON WINNING, IT WAS OBIVOUS THAT IT WAS IN GOD’S PLAN OF YOUR LIFE FOR YOU TO WIN BECAUSE IF IT WASN’T NO MATTER WHAT AMERICA SAID YOU WOULDN’T HAVE WON!!!!
SECOND,
JESSICA, JESSICA, JESSICA, U WERE MY FAVORITE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. EVERYTIME YOU SUNG YOU TOUCHED MY SOUL…THERE IS A SPECIAL ANNOINTING ON YOUR LIFE & IM GLAD U SHARED IT WITH THE WORLD…IM 19 & TO SEE YOU GOING AFTER GOD WITH YOUR HUMBLENESS & SERENITY JUS MAKES ME WANT TO GOD AFTER HIM EVEN HARDER…I REALLY, REALLY,REALLY WISH YOU WOULDVE WON BUT LIKE ITS BEEN STATED BEFORE…SUNDAY’S BEST IS JUST A TITLE THEY GIVE YOU, GOD DIDNT BRING YOU THIS FAR 2 LEAVE U… U WILL HAVE A CONTRACT FAR GREATER THAN U EVER EXPECTED, U WILL HAVE A NEW CAR, AND U WILL BLESS & TOUCH THE SOULS OF EVERYONE WHO HEARD U…..I LOVE YOUR STYLE OF SINGING BECAUSE IM NOT A FAN OF “HOLLERIN, SCREAMIN OR YELLIN” IN ORDER 2 FEEL THE ANNOITNG… BUT EVERTIME YOU OPENED YOUR MOUTH TO SING YOU TOUCHED MY SPIRIT…. GOD WILL BLESS U & I WILL CONTINUE 2 PRAY FOR U…
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO STOP.. YANNIE WAS CROWNED SUNDAY’S BEST.. THE BIBLE STATES LET NO MAN DESTROY WHAT I HAVE CREATED.. AND THAT’S WHY Y’ANNA IS GOING TO HAVE SUCH SUCCESS BECAUSE OF ALL YOU NAY SAYERS.. JESSICA HAS A LOVLEY VOICE AND SHE TOO WILL HAVE MUCH SUCCESS.. BUT PEOPLE PLEASE STOP THIS MESS, WE ARE ON BORROWED TIME SO GET IT RIGHT AND GET IT TIGHT..I WOULD HATE FOR JUDGEMENT DAY TO COME AND EVERYONE OF YALL BE CASTED TO HELL..,.. HUG SOMEONE AND TELL THEM U LOVE THEM..
Congratulations to Y’anna. To whom it may concern in addition to her solo career Latice Crawford would be a perfect fit for Donald Lawrence and Co. She exudes class and needs to be with a class act. She would be under great vocal care and she would not have to worry about anything shady. Jessica killed on that New Edition number “Can You Stand The Rain.” She would do well with a studio project whereas Y’anna would do an outstanding live project. As the winner she will have the biggest budget so if time permits please don’t put all of that personality that Y’anna has in a studio for her first project. There are many venues in the D.C. area that she could pack to name a few Jericho City of Praise, First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Reid Temple AME, Ebenezer AME. Take your choice Verity for I have my suit picked out.
Although I am happy for Y’anna and believe she deserved to win over Jessica, I truly believe that Latrice Crawford was indeed a combo of both Jessica and Y’anna and should have won the competition. She eludes annointness and spirituality when she sung and she held that southern style of gospel that Y’anna had. In addition, she had a contemporary style as well, like Jessica. She was a total package and could record and perform in all genres of gospel. Don’t get me wrong….I liked Jessica and she also was annointed and I could see how much she loved God and the girl has a voice that the gospel industry has yet to see; but, she was not better than Latrice. The most talented and versatile gospel singing in this competition did not win. But, you know what…that is ok….I think that they are bonded on a level that we could not see and will support each other in the future. I also believe that all three of them will have amazing careers. God Bless to all the contestants and bloggers…
WHAT A BIG UPSET!!!!! I will never watch this show again!!! 1) Y’anna stole Jessica’s testimony when asked where she was a year ago….ding ding ding Jessica said that last week! 2) Y’anna sangs with no conviction! 4) during the finale Y’anna was trying to have a scream battle with Jessica (not classy) 3) After winning didn’t you think she was going to thank God or rejoice in his name??? let me tell you something when the Lord is instilled in you those things are automatic!!! JESSICA IF YOU ARE READING THIS YOU WERE ROBBED! BUT THE LORD HAS SOMETHING GREATER IN STORE FOR YOU! I truly don’t think Y’anna deserved to win…
Y’ANNA IS GOING TO FOOL YOU AMERICANS!!! she’s going to do one gospel album because of the contract and publicity and then she’s gonna switch to r&b…MARK MY WORDS! I feel this deep in my spirit! Don’t get me wrong she’s a naturally talented singer but, she is not Sunday’s Best! SHOUTS OUT TO JESSICA
I HAVE WATCHED SUNDAY’SBEST 1AND 2 SEASON 1 WAS WAS THE BETTER ONE I AM NOT SAYING THE SINGERS WERENOT GREATTHEY WEREBUT THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE TO COMPLETE WITH OTHERSHOWS TOOK AWAY THE PURPOSE OF SUNDAY ‘BEST GOSPEL CHURCH SONGS SUNDAY BEST CAN BE MAN OR WOMAN THE BROTHERS THEY SUNG THE ANOINTING SHOULD BE FELT THROUGH THE TV THE LOOK OF SURPRISEWHEN YOU ARE CHOSEN ON THE NEXT SUNDAYBEST PRAY FIRST THINK SUNDAY THE WORLD HAS OTHER SHOWS TO SHOWCASE THE OTHER SONGS TO THE WINNER YANNA GOD BLESS ASK FOR ANOINTING TO JESSICA KEEP SINGING WITH THE ANOINGTING KEEP SHOWING THAT YOU ARE HUMBLE AND THANKFUL NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE