THE LATEST ON ‘SUNDAY BEST’: Ladies rule again on BET’s gospel talent search show.

gospel | Apr 22, 2009 | Comments 7

It will be another 2 weeks before we find out who will be crowned this year’s Sunday Best, but the winner is guaranteed to be a woman.

The final three contestants on BET’s gospel singing competition have been chosen and they are all women: Maryland’s Y’Anna Crawley, New York’s Latice Crawford, and Michigan’s Jessica Reedy.

Zebulon Ellis was eliminated last night. A wild card pick from the previous week, the 27-year-old suit-maker from Georgia was the last man standing.

Dressed in crisp white ensembles, with their recent make-overs still looking fresh, the top four sang “Call Him Up” by Dr. Bobby Jones as he looked on from the audience.

After singing his solo selection, the Thomas Dorsey classic “Precious Lord” Zebulon Ellis told the host, Kirk Franklin that if it was his last night on the show he just wanted people to see Jesus.

The judges struggled to find words to critique any of the talent, but Tina Campbell said Zebulon Ellis’ performance lacked the “WOW” factor.

BeBe Winans said he sees “a gospel Whitney Houston” when he looks at the slender songstress, Latice Crawford. But, Tina Campbell noticed that Latice Crawford seemed disconnected at times as she sang Cleveland’s “Soon I Will Be Done.”

On the other hand, single moms Reedy and Crawley only received praise for their performances.

Erica Campbell was impressed with Jessica Reedy’s vocal control and range of low-registered tones. The 20-year-old singer hit notes that could compare to the depth of Barry White’s baritone voice. Erica said it was as if she was watching a concert of someone who already had a record contract as the 20-year-old rendered a jazzy version of “God Has Smiled on Me.”

“You gave the song just what it needed,” Tina said about Latice Crawley’s heartfelt delivery of Cleveland’s “I Don’t Feel Now Ways Tired.”

A de-dreaded Fred Hammond, sporting a low hair cut opened the show with a medley of “No Weapon” and “This is the Day.”

Country music great Wynona Judd was also a guest artist and received a standing ovation for her performance of “My Tribute.” Wynona Judd said her grandmother passed away the day before her appearance.

(Sidebar: There was an error from the start of the program. Last night’s theme paid respect to the “God-fathers of Gospel” i.e., Thomas Dorsey, James Cleveland and Dr. Bobby Jones. However, that title was mis-used. It would be a demotion for Dorsey and Cleveland and has already been assigned to gospel artist Rev. Timothy Wright. Historically Thomas Dorsey has been recognized as the undisputed FATHER of gospel music. The Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA), founded by the late James Cleveland, has long identified Cleveland as the “The King” of gospel music. Dr. Bobby Jones is generally credited with his status as a media pioneer and affectionately known as the Ambassador of gospel music. He is also the actual Ambassador of Dominica. Perhaps more aptly put, the theme could have been the “Legends of Gospel Music.”)

The public can vote for their favorites online at BET.COM and catch the concluding episodes of Sunday Best on Sundays at 9:00 EST.