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Gospel Dream 2009

Gospel Dream talent scouts combed the country this spring, auditioned thousands and decided upon 35 contestants who will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pursue their dream of a musical career in front of a national television audience. The theme for this season: The Greatest Inspirational Songs of All Time. Ten finalists and ultimately one winner will be chosen.

Upcoming Episode

  • July 29 at 10 pm et

    The three finalists have the opportunity to perform two songs in the last round, showcasing incredible versatility, and improvement, as their celebrity coaches cheer them on. Only one singer goes home the winner.
    Encores Saturday at 10
    Sunday at 8 pm et

Meet the Top 10!

Ashli Marie Pritchett

Hometown: Thomaston, GA
Audition city: Atlanta

Sixteen-year-old Ashli Marie counts Natalie Grant, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood as her musical influences. For Ashli Marie, music is a family affair. She sings at churches with her brother, who plays guitar and piano, and she receives plenty of encouragement from her mom who is also a singer. Ashli Marie takes voice lessons weekly, and hopes to attend Hillsong College in Australia (if she doesn't win Gospel Dream)!



Tim Stylez

Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Audition city: Atlanta

Tim, 27, has recently made some big changes in his life. He recently dealt with some pretty big things... but his mother’s faith and encouragement helped him through. He’s now doing musical theater, auditioning for movies and reaching for his Gospel Dream! Tim is single and waiting for his special someone, who may or may not be Shania Twain! Among his musical influences are Micah Stampley, Byron Cage and PJ Morton, and he also loves country music – Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, and of course, Shania.



Travis Lindseth

Hometown: Kirkland, WA
Audition city: Seattle

Travis, 21, is currently working towards a master's degree in music. He has eight siblings, and almost all of them sing too! Raised singing in church, Travis plays several instruments, and considers his musical tastes to be all over the map. He is confident and ready to face this season of Gospel Dream!



Tony LeBron

Hometown: Boca Raton, FL
Audition city: Orlando
WINNER!

Virgin Islands-born Tony, 33, is a worship and youth leader whose family moved to Orlando when he was six. In college, Tony strayed from music, but ended up returning to major in it. He left college a year before graduation to sing with Truth and Promise Keepers. He's influenced musically by a wide range of artists including Michael English, Mark Anthony, Juanes, Avalon, Hillsong United, Natalie Grant, Chris Tomlin, Enrique Iglesias and Roger Sanchez.



Jasmine Jackson

Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN
Audition city: Nashville

Twenty-one-year-old Jasmine plays guitar and writes her own music. She's grateful to her family for the sacrifices they've made to help provide her with opportunities, including opening for Yolanda Adams. Jasmine's plans for the future include attending graduate school and teaching music. She has a twin sister she performs with and they both auditioned for Gospel Dream.



Robert Mauti

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Audition city: Nashville
FINALIST

The talents of Robert Mauti, 26, go beyond just singing. He's been figure skating competitively since he was 13. He's passionate about his career as a skating instructor, but his true calling is music. He realized this after going through a difficult period. Just before making a move to Nashville, Robert was having a hard time. But Christian artist Ronnie Freeman's music "saved his life," and Robert had the opportunity to meet Ronnie to thank him. Participating in the Embassy Music program in Nashville also marked the beginning of a new day for Robert. He is influenced by Josh Grobin, Robin Thicke, Brian McKnight and Gavin DeGraw, as well as dcTalk and Kirk Franklin, and of course his friend, Ronnie Freeman.



Erin Lyder

Hometown: Boston, MA
Audition city: Atlanta

Erin, 24, drove for two days to audition for Gospel Dream in Atlanta. Her dedication is also evident in her recent graduation from Berklee College of Music with a degree in music business management, which she attended on a full four-year scholarship. She is currently working at the Berklee Career Development Center and is a worship leader at Global Ministries Christian Church. She has performed in many different venues, including at the governor of Massachusetts' Inaugural Ball, and representing Berklee at a Laura Bush awards ceremony at the White House. Erin is influenced by Yolanda Adams, Minnie Riperton, Deneice Williams, The Stylistics, Aaliyah and Kirk Franklin.



Rashelle Garrett

Hometown: Ceres, CA
Audition city: Oakland

Rashelle's interest in music piqued only just last year, when she won a radio contest allowing her the opportunity to cut a single, get airplay on Celebration Radio, and open for Jeremy Camp at Spirit West this summer. Her musical influences are CeCe Winans, Natalie Grant, Kirk Franklin and Smokie Norful. She has been married for 12 years and has two children ages 9 and 4.



NeVar Massey

Hometown: Port Huron, MI/Hampton, GA
Audition city: Atlanta
FINALIST

Michigan-born NeVar hasn't always been a "church kid." But NeVar has come to terms with his past and says his main goal in doing Gospel Dream is to make his kids proud. "It's one thing to be a father," he muses. "It's another to be a Daddy." NeVar counts Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Fred Hammond, and Donny Hathaway, among others, as his musical influences.



Amber Davies

Hometown: Brownsville, TN
Audition city: Nashville

Amber is 18 years old and has been singing in church choirs since age 2, including many solo appearances. At age 11, she became the youngest member of the West Tennessee Mass Choir. Amber takes a special interest in caring for others; she currently takes care of 200 rescued exotic animals, including lions, kangaroos, monkeys and zebras. She is influenced musically by Francesca Battistelli, Stacie Orrico, Chris Tomlin and Britt Nicole.




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