Idol-like “Gospel Dream” features three Georgia finalists

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)!

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

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.