FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Exalting
Him!
2003
National Talent Search
Finals
to be filmed at TBN Studios in
Hendersonville,
TN
HENDERSONVILLE,
TN ... August 27, 28, and 29 will mark the final round
of competition for the Exalting Him! 2003 National
Talent Search. With over 1400 ,contestants that
initially sent in a demo to be reviewed by industry
professionals, 25 soloists and 25 groups from eight
different cites were selected to proceed to the
semi-finals. During the month of July, 3 judges, Norman
Holland, A&R director for Daywind Records, John
Mays, A&R consultant for Creative Trust and Deborah
Evans-Price, Christian & Country Editor for Billboard
magazine traveled to Orlando, Dallas, Anaheim,
Winston-Salem, Nashville, Canton, Denver and Atlanta to
listen to those selected. Norman Holland stated. We have
heard all genres of music in our travels, and we have
seen some of the best talent in those genres. But,
it’s not about your style, it’s all about the music,
and I feel like we have come up with some great talent.
I’m excited! I believe it’s going to be a great
experience for all.
From
each city, one soloist and one group were selected to
proceed to the finals which will be filmed at TBN
studios in Hendersonville, TN. Five, one-hour television
shows will be filmed August 27, 28 and 29. On the 27th
two shows will be taped, narrowing the 8 remaining
soloist to one. On the 28th, two additional
shows will be taped narrowing the 8 remaining groups to
one. On the 29th, one final show will
highlight the lives and ministries of the remaining
soloist and group and one will be selected. The winner
will be offered a recording contract with either Daywind
Records or Vital Communications.
Those
selected to proceed to the finals include soloists:
Lisa
LaShawn Hartwell (Orlando), John C. Smith Jr. (Dallas),
Karen Harding (Anaheim),
Gail
Bliss (Winston-Salem), Monica Hardin (Nashville), Laura
Ruth Ford-Hall (Canton)
Along
with groups: Jordan & Lou (Orlando), Soldiers on a
Mission (Dallas), Saltza
(Anaheim),
CJ & Phil (Winston-Salem), Vision (Nashville), Power
(Canton), 1Voice
(Denver),
Together We Stand (Atlanta).
One
group of local interest to watch is Together We Stand.
This group was brought together through the vision of
Anthony (A.W.) Buie. His vision was to bring the cross
in front of the flag, and when he told his cousin John
Southerland about the vision, he interpreted it as
bringing families back together. Their family had been
broken and scattered and they knew that God not only
wanted to heal their family but other families as well.
A.W.’s daughters, Trina, Jena and Donna penned the
song, Together We Stand. from A.W’s vision. When A.W.
asked John to sing the selection he called together
family and friends who performed the song. Unbeknownst
to the group, A.W. who lives in
Fairbanks, Alaska entered them in the Exalting
Him! 2003 National Talent Search without their
knowledge. They were selected to proceed to the
semi-finals and chosen as the finalist to represent the
Atlanta area on August 28th
in Hendersonville, TN. The group consists
of John Southerland from Atlanta, Patricia Brooks, Trina
Merriweather, LaBriska and Vonda Cooper all from
Jackson, TN, Jena & Trina Buie from North Pole
Alaska, and Donna Buie from Durham, NC. Their band
includes: Tony Jordan , bass, Dietra Bynum, keyboard and
vocals, Stephen Wilson,
keyboard, Tony Harrison , Drums, and Lloyd
Forester, guitar.
The
shows will be filmed in August to be aired at a later
date, for exact show times stay tuned to TBN. Airdates
will be listed on www.daywind.com
when available. Daywind Soundtracks, Family Christian
Stores, Salem Radio Network and Trinity Broadcasting
Network (TBN) help sponsor Exalting Him! 2003 National
Talent Search.
THANK YOU for your prayer and
contributions
Together
We Stand “TWS message delivered…
“Glorify
His Name” will reach millions worldwide.
The
14 members of the singing group Together We Stand
arrived safely after a 5 hour drive from Atlanta to
Nashville.
All
8 groups and 8 soloists stayed at the AmeriSuites Hotel.
The semifinalists became friends during the 3 days of
rehearsals and filming, and hope to perform together
again.
Everyone
was amazed at the work that goes on behind the scenes of
a TV broadcast.
Stage
calls, rehearsals, makeup, bright lights and different
types of Christian Music was an experience that will not
be forgotten.
Just
before everyone was called on stage to perform for the
audience and judges, John Southerland the musical
director of our group TWS, asked everyone to join hands.
John led the entire group singing Amazing Grace. Can you
imagine how beautiful that sounded and how close to the
Lord they felt?
After
their individual performances, everyone congratulated
each other when they returned to the “green room.”
There
could be just 1 winner of the year recording contract
with DayWind Recording Studios.
So
much work went into the 4 songs each semi-finalist had
to have ready in 4 weeks…from the semifinalists in
Atlanta to the finals in Nashville. Everyone looked at
the experience as very uplifting and a chance to use
their God given talents to touch someone.
The
TBN contest was a vehicle not the destination For
Together We Stand.
As
you know, this entire project was started with a vision,
logo, and a goal to help with the $1.7 million
renovation of True Victory Baptist Church.
The
mission statement of Together We Stand and the name of
the song that won in the semifinals is “Glorify His
Name” The big question has always been… “How are
we going to deliver the Cross and Flag to the nation?”
From
the beginning, we felt the products on our website with
the TWS logo would be proudly displayed by those who
believe in God and Country. The proceeds from those
sales would then help the church in North Pole, plus
help other churches across the U.S. with their fund
raising projects.
TBN
studios interviewed and filmed the group before
rehearsal. John Southerland presented the Master of
Ceremonies a TWS hat with the Cross and Flag logo.
The
3 of us were interviewed on camera and had the
opportunity to tell how the project began. We told how
the song “Glorify His Name” won as one of 25 entries
from over 1400 songs entered.
We
will continue to work on the project and feel this is
only the beginning.
