Auditions Continue in Chicago and Aurora for TLN’s 2006 Edition of “Inspiration Sensation”
Posted Thursday, Feb 02, 2006 @ 9:35 am by Total Living Network
Contact Information: Peggy Kennedy at (630) 801-3652, Total Living Network
Organization's URL: http://www.tln.com

• Friday & Saturday Auditions from Now to Feb. 18 at Various Sites

Aurora, Ill., Feb. 2, 2006 (The Religion Wire™ ) — Total Living Network (TLN) continues to hold auditions for the 2006 season of TLN’s Emmy-awarded “Inspiration Sensation.” “Inspiration Sensation” is designed to showcase the talents of amateur singers (ages 16-25) and, through a selection process, will culminate in the selection of an overall winner. The program will be preceded by an open audition process over a six-week period of time across Chicagoland, Rockford, and northwest Indiana — with this week’s auditions in Chicago and Aurora.

“Inspiration Sensation” began auditions on Jan. 14 and the final audition will take place on Feb. 18. Auditions are being held in various sites around the Chicagoland, Rockford and surrounding suburban areas and culminate as a 10-week live program on TLN on Comcast and Insight cable channels.

The “Inspiration Sensation” audition events occur Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. (doors will open for those desiring to audition at 5:30 p.m.). The Feb. 3 audition will be at the Spaulding Avenue Church of God, 1132 N. Spaulding Ave., Chicago, and the Feb. 4 audition at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, Ill.

Some Past Audition Results:
Calvary of Naperville, Friday 1/27 (aud #4)
WINNER: Kent Bjurstrom, 24, Highland, Ind., sang “Who Am I?” By Casting Crowns. Bjurstrom attends Suburban Bible Church in Highland, Ind. He tried out at Palos Heights. He spent 3 years in a traveling worship band as lead vocalist.and also is getting married on Feb. 11.
RUNNER-UP: Erica Iozzo, 16, Lombard, Ill., sang “Guided,” a song she wrote after watching friends walk away from the Lord. She is active with her youth group at Bethel Fellowship in Northlake, Ill.
Rock of Ages, Maywood, IL; Saturday 1/28 (aud #5)
WINNER: Michael Hoskins, 19, Chicago, sang “His Strength” by Steven Curtis Chapman, He attends Dayspring in Chicago.
RUNNER-UP: Robert Ruiz, 17, Chicago, sang “All of Me”, and also attends Dayspring.
Jubilee Christian Center, Elgin, IL; Sunday 1/29 (aud 6)
WINNER: Tiara R. Purifoy, 24; Palatine, Ill., sang “I Surrender” by Kirk Franklin and attends Life Changers in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
RUNNER-UP: Cody Claussen, 18; St. Charles, Ill., sang “He Will Carry Me” by Mark Schultz. He attends Christ Community Church, St. Charles, Ill. He lead’s worship at the church’s west campus.

Remaining “Inspiration Sensation” audition sites are as follows:

• >>> Friday, Feb. 3
  Spaulding Avenue Church of God
  1132 N. Spaulding Ave.
  Chicago, Ill.
• >>>Saturday, Feb. 4
  Aurora Christian School
  2255 Sullivan Rd.
  Aurora, Ill.
• Friday, Feb. 10
  Pilgrim Baptist Church
  1703 S. Central Ave.
  Rockford, Ill.
• Saturday, Feb. 11
  Living Word Christian Center
  7500 W. Roosevelt Rd.
  Forest Park, Ill.
• Friday, Feb. 17
  Salem Baptist Church of Chicago
  11800 S. Indiana Ave.
  Chicago, Ill.
• Saturday, Feb. 18
  Oswego Presbyterian Church
  1976 Hwy 25
  Oswego, Ill.

An expert panel of three to four judges will be present at all venue sponsored events. The first 40 persons to show up at the audition site will have the opportunity to perform a one minute a cappella solo. Judges will select two winners from each of the audition sites. Those 24 audition site winners will perform during a televised “semi-final” competition that will air on TLN Saturday, March 11 at 8 p.m. During that program the 24 contestants will be audition to win one of the top 12 finalist positions that will compete during the weekly “live” broadcasts beginning Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m.

The “Final 12” will compete each week, with weekly winners chosen by viewer voting.

The ten weekly programs will originate live each Saturday night at 8 p.m. from state-of-the-art television studios in Aurora, Illinois, with the 2006 “Inspiration Sensation” winner named on the May 20 program finale.

While viewers will choose the weekly winners, a panel of expert judges will critique performances. The winner will be awarded a recording contract.

Stephanie Goldsmith of Rockford was TLN’s 2005 “Inspiration Sensation.” Goldsmith was awarded a recording contract with Asoné Records, also appearances on the main stage at Chicago’s Gospel Fest and at the House of Blues. She and the 2005 cast have made appearances at both Christian and secular venues across the Chicagoland area.

TLN believes that “Inspiration Sensation” is delivering “reality TV,” with a focus. “Inspiration Sensation” celebrates the hundreds of Chicagoland’s most talented yet unrecognized voices of Christian and Gospel Music. The program’s goal is “discovering the next big voice in Christian music.”

For more information on the 2006 “Inspiration Sensation” auditions visit www.inspirationsensation.com or call (630) 801-3690.

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(Interviews with audition winners are available.)
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