How Sweet the Sound finals in LA Oct. 28

EXPERIENCE THE EXCITEMENT AS VERIZON’S HOW SWEET THE SOUND NAMES "AMERICA'S CHURCH CHOIR"
Gospel Legends CeCe Winans, Donald Lawrence, Shirley Caesar and Marvin Sapp Honor Andraé Crouch for an Unforgettable Night of Praise
Special Guests Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah Perform a Song from their Upcoming Film Joyful Noise

WHO:
Special guest performers Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah, co-hosts CeCe Winans and Donald Lawrence with judges Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar and Israel Houghton and honorary guest Andraé Crouch.


Regional finalists competing for up to $25,000 and the title of “America’s Church Choir” include:
-Dallas: St. John Church Music Ministry (Grand Prairie, TX)
-Atlanta: All Nations Life and Praise Church Choir (Stockbridge, GA)
-Washington, D.C.: James E. Jordan, Jr. Adult Choir of Refreshing Spring Church of God In Christ (Riverdale, MD)
-Detroit: The Anointed Voices of Higher Ground Young Adult Choir of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, Inc. (Columbus, OH)
-St. Louis: Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis Choir of Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis (St. Louis, MO)
-Chicago: All Nations Choir of The Lighthouse Church of All Nations (Alsip, IL)
-Los Angeles: Family Life Center Sanctuary Choir of Family Life Center Apostolic Church (Whittier, Calif.)
-Oakland, Calif.: Christian Life Center Mass Choir of Stockton Christian Life Center, Inc. (Stockton, Calif.)

WHAT:
Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound™, the country’s most prestigious gospel music celebration, will name “America’s Church Choir.” The evening will also feature a performance from Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, the stars of the upcoming film Joyful Noise, in theatres on January 13.

WHEN:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011
SHOW START: 7:30 pm

WHERE:
Staples Center
1111 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1300

BACKGROUND:
Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Gospel Celebration pays tribute to gospel music and provides choirs a platform to showcase their talent with a broader community. The program is a yearlong series of gospel experiences that unite communities and cities all across America in celebration and song. Verizon understands the power gospel music has to uplift the spirit and bring comfort and joy to its fans and created the How Sweet the Sound program to create an outlet for self-expression. For more information please visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com