Rockford and Forest Park to Hold Auditions This Weekend for TLN’s 2006 Edition of “Inspiration Sensation”
Posted Monday, Feb 06, 2006 @ 8:13 pm by Total Living Network
Contact Information: Peggy Kennedy at (630) 801-3652, Total Living Network
Organization's URL: http://www.tln.com

• Final Weekends for Auditions – Next Weekend, Chicago & Oswego

Aurora, Ill., Feb. 6 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 Rockford and Forest Park

“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. 10 audition will be at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, 1703 S. Central Ave., Rockford, Ill. and the Feb.11 audition at Living Word Christian Center, 7500 W. Roosevelt Rd., Forest Park, Ill.

Some New Audition Winners:

Spaulding Avenue Church of God, Chicago; Friday 2/03 (aud #7)
WINNER: Veronica Hemmingway, 24, of Chicago, sang “Amazing Grace”. Hemmingway attends Salem Baptist Church(audition there on Friday, Feb. 17), James Meeks — pastor.
RUNNER-UP: Kenneth Nole, 16, of Chicago, sang “I’m In Love with Jesus” by Joshua’s Troop. He attends Christ Church of Chicago, Dr. Royce D. Cornelius — pastor.

Aurora Christian School, Aurora, Ill.; Saturday 2/04 (aud #8)
WINNER: Dacia Doty, 22, of DeKalb, Ill., sang an original song “Sweet Invite.” She attends St. Mary Parish, Fr. Kenneth Anderson — pastor. Doty auditioned previously at Calvary Church of Naperville. She has written over forty songs.
Sing-off for runner up: Between Joy Koehler and Andrew Tamez-Hull, each sang “Amazing Grace” for 30 seconds. Both had previously auditioned.
RUNNER-UP: Joy Koehler, 18, of Davis Junction, Ill., sang “Somebody” by Mary Mary. Koehler attends Christ Community Church, Jeff Hart — pastor. She previously attended the Elgin audition. She plays piano for Sunday praise and worship.

Remaining “Inspiration Sensation” audition sites are as follows:

• >>>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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