Idol-like “Gospel Dream” features three Georgia finalists
The top 10 finalists for the “American Idol”-style show on Atlanta-based Gospel Music Channel’s “Gospel Dream” includes three Georgia finalists:
Ashli Marie Pritchett
Hometown: Thomaston, GA
Audition city: Atlanta
Sixteen-year-old Ashli Marie counts Natalie Grant, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood as her musical influences. For Ashli Marie, music is a family affair. She sings at churches with her brother, who plays guitar and piano, and she receives plenty of encouragement from her mom who is also a singer. Ashli Marie takes voice lessons weekly, and hopes to attend Hillsong College in Australia (if she doesn’t win Gospel Dream)!
Tim Stylez
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Audition city: Atlanta
Tim, 27, has recently made some big changes in his life. He recently dealt with some pretty big things… but his mother’s faith and encouragement helped him through. He’s now doing musical theater, auditioning for movies and reaching for his Gospel Dream! Tim is single and waiting for his special someone, who may or may not be Shania Twain! Among his musical influences are Micah Stampley, Byron Cage and PJ Morton, and he also loves country music – Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, and of course, Shania.
NeVar Massey
Hometown: Port Huron, MI/Hampton, GA
Audition city: Atlanta
Michigan-born NeVar hasn’t always been a “church kid.” But NeVar has come to terms with his past and says his main goal in doing Gospel Dream is to make his kids proud. “It’s one thing to be a father,” he muses. “It’s another to be a Daddy.” NeVar counts Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Fred Hammond, and Donny Hathaway, among others, as his musical influences.
New episode tomorrow night (July 1) at 10 p.m.
About the Author
Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.
