Singers Reach for a Higher-Powered 'Idol'

Dozens Come to D.C. for a Shot At 'Gospel Dream' Talent Show

Jermaine Pressley of Fort Washington is one of two "Gospel Dream" finalists from the local auditions. (By Bill O'leary -- The Washington Post)

The woman in the black top and pants closed her eyes and opened her mouth wide as she stood before Alvin Williams to audition. "When Jesus is my portion. A constant FRIE-IEND is He. His eye is on the spar row , and I know- oh-oh he watches me."

When she finished, Williams thanked her and excused her from the room. Then, the judge for a television talent contest modeled after "American Idol" remarked, "She's a good church singer, but she's too churchy."

A big-bucks recording contract in a $700 million-a-year industry is at stake, and the judges of "Gospel Dream" were not looking for inspirational ministers so much as bankable stars.

More than 150 people auditioned at the Capital Hilton in downtown Washington yesterday for the show, which is about to start its second season on the fledgling Gospel Music Channel. Many of the singers were from the Washington area, even though the show isn't aired locally by Comcast or Cox Communications. Subscribers to Verizon's FiOS television can see it, but otherwise, the closest market is Philadelphia.

Contestants began lining up at 7:30 a.m. outside a second-floor room for auditions that would begin three hours later. Although many would-be stars flew in from across the country, the biggest contingent -- 36 people -- was from Prince George's County. Nine were from the District.

Some wore their Sunday best -- demure, proper dresses and conservative jackets. Others came in their Saturday night best -- tight pants and low-cut tops.

They performed a cappella in front of a microphone before a judge sitting at a table draped in a red cloth. If they were any good, the judge sent them to another room, where they sang for a second judge.

Their choices were limited to traditional songs from a playlist. "Amazing Grace" and "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" were sung as frequently as "Feelings" would be at a piano bar. Again and again and again.

But this was clearly not a very Vegas crowd. A few may have been aiming for fame and fortune, but most said they were singing for the glory of God.

"I was thinking about Jesus," Leslie Hall, 25, of Germantown said after a rendition of "Redeemer." "I was singing for Him."

In coming to Washington, the show's producers picked an area rich in gospel music fans and talent.

The area is one of the top markets for gospel, said Brad Siegel, vice chairman and co-founder of the Gospel Music Channel.