The winner of the Gospel Music Channel’s Gospel Dream 2005 competition –a nationwide talent search dubbed the “American Idol” with a Heavenly Twist was chosen during last night’s final competition in Atlanta’s famed Tabernacle concert venue.
Brian Smith, a 23-year-old morning drive-time disc jockey from Port Huron, Mich., took home the honors yesterday, besting his nine fellow competitors by singing the Billboard chart-topper “All Things New.”
“I made it!” exclaimed Smith, who was chosen from more than a thousand recording star hopefuls from across the country who began competing in August.
“We believe this guy has everything it takes to be a star,” said Max Siegel, head of the Zomba Label Group who served as a national judge for Gospel Dream 2005, along with platinum recording artist Kelly Price and music critic Andy Argyrakis.
Smith has already been signed to a record deal with Sony/BMG’s Zomba Label, which turned out albums for top gospel and Christian artists including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, and Casting Crowns. Details on his upcoming album are forthcoming.
The Gospel Dream 2005 finals will be aired on the Gospel Music Channel on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8:00 p.m. EST.
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