SUNDAY BEST 3, TOP 20 CONTESTANTS

Who made it? See photos of the season three contestants.

WINNERLeAndria Johnson - <b>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Ocoee, Florida<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> LeAndria was born in Orlando, Florida, and started singing at the age of 2. She currently serves as the Praise and Worship leader at her church.<BR><BR>LeAndria dedicates her time to raising her two children, Caleb and Calen.

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WINNER<br>LeAndria Johnson - <b>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Ocoee, Florida<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> LeAndria was born in Orlando, Florida, and started singing at the age of 2. She currently serves as the Praise and Worship leader at her church.<BR><BR>LeAndria dedicates her time to raising her two children, Caleb and Calen.

Top 2Elder Goldwire McLendon - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/b&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/b&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Goldwire has been a soloist and a lead singer for the “Savettes Choral Ensemble” since its inception. His voice has taken him to prisons, churches, concert halls, TV and radio. &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Goldwire has been married for 59 years.

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Top 2 Elder Goldwire McLendon - <b>Audition City:</b> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> Goldwire has been a soloist and a lead singer for the “Savettes Choral Ensemble” since its inception. His voice has taken him to prisons, churches, concert halls, TV and radio. <BR><BR>Goldwire has been married for 59 years.

Top 3Durward Davis - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Detroit&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Tulsa, OK&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Durward, known as “D” to most of his friends, is originally from L.A. He’s a full-time student at Oral Roberts University.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;br&gt;“I was seven years old. My father overheard me singing the Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes commercial. He got up and retrieved a hymnbook, taught me the melody and … persuaded me to sing “Steal Away” for the upcoming worship service.”

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Top 3 Durward Davis - <B>Audition City:</B> Detroit<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Tulsa, OK<br><br><B>Bio:</B> Durward, known as “D” to most of his friends, is originally from L.A. He’s a full-time student at Oral Roberts University.<BR><br>“I was seven years old. My father overheard me singing the Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes commercial. He got up and retrieved a hymnbook, taught me the melody and … persuaded me to sing “Steal Away” for the upcoming worship service.”

Top 5: Wild Card: Martha Buries - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Friendswood, Texas&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Martha is originally from Chicago. She works as a buyer for a chemical company in Texas.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“Gospel has been my choice of music because it not only inspires me, but it takes me to a special place of praise and worship where I find peace, joy and comfort.”

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Top 5: Wild Card: Martha Buries - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Friendswood, Texas<br><br><B>Bio:</B> Martha is originally from Chicago. She works as a buyer for a chemical company in Texas.<BR><BR>“Gospel has been my choice of music because it not only inspires me, but it takes me to a special place of praise and worship where I find peace, joy and comfort.”

Top 5Tiffany Carlin-Laird - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Baton Rouge, Louisiana&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Tiffany has been singing since the age of 5. She has been a background singer for Mary J. Blige and Kelly Price.&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“I’m full of love and on fire to tell the world that no matter what you’ve been through, or what you’re going through, you can stand for God and be the best!”

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Top 5 Tiffany Carlin-Laird - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Baton Rouge, Louisiana</B><br><BR><B>Bio:</B> Tiffany has been singing since the age of 5. She has been a background singer for Mary J. Blige and Kelly Price.<br><BR>“I’m full of love and on fire to tell the world that no matter what you’ve been through, or what you’re going through, you can stand for God and be the best!”

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Top 7Dathan Thigpen - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Ridgeland, Mississippi&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Born and raised in Mississippi, Dathan is an adjunct professor at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi. He and his wife are expecting their first child.&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“As a worship leader, my passion is ushering people into God’s presence, where my prayer is that the anointing will destroy boundaries that keep us apart from each other.”

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Top 7 Dathan Thigpen - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Ridgeland, Mississippi</B><br><BR><B>Bio:</B> Born and raised in Mississippi, Dathan is an adjunct professor at Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi. He and his wife are expecting their first child.<br><BR>“As a worship leader, my passion is ushering people into God’s presence, where my prayer is that the anointing will destroy boundaries that keep us apart from each other.”

Top 7Brian Smith - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Detroit&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/b&gt; Chicago, IL&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Brian works at a non-profit organization and serves as a deacon and Assistant Music Director at his dad’s church. He has experienced more than 10 epileptic seizures since he was a teenager.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Singing means happiness and joy to me. It’s exciting to have an opportunity to be on TV because I want to inspire people to be close to Christ.”

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Top 7 Brian Smith - <b>Audition City:</B> Detroit<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Chicago, IL<br><br><b>Bio:</b> Brian works at a non-profit organization and serves as a deacon and Assistant Music Director at his dad’s church. He has experienced more than 10 epileptic seizures since he was a teenager.<br><br>“Singing means happiness and joy to me. It’s exciting to have an opportunity to be on TV because I want to inspire people to be close to Christ.”

Top 10Franklin Davis, IV - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio: &lt;/B&gt;This New Orleans native is a proud member of Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, where his father is the pastor. After some challenging years, he has a greater appreciation for the Lord.&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“I’m thankful for the liberty I have in Christ and that I can be 100 percent upfront about God to anyone I meet.”

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Top 10 Franklin Davis, IV - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> New Orleans</B><br><BR><B>Bio: </B>This New Orleans native is a proud member of Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, where his father is the pastor. After some challenging years, he has a greater appreciation for the Lord.<br><BR>“I’m thankful for the liberty I have in Christ and that I can be 100 percent upfront about God to anyone I meet.”

Top 10TawannaTarvin - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Monroe, Louisiana&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Tawanna has been singing all her life. Her biggest supporters are her family and her son.&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“‘Sunday Best’ is one of my dreams coming true. I’m grateful to God for stepping in when I felt like giving up.”

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Top 10 TawannaTarvin - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Monroe, Louisiana</B><br><BR><B>Bio:</B> Tawanna has been singing all her life. Her biggest supporters are her family and her son.<br><BR>“‘Sunday Best’ is one of my dreams coming true. I’m grateful to God for stepping in when I felt like giving up.”

Top 10David E. Wilford - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Millsboro, DE&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; David was born in Miami and has earned a degree in social work. He and his three siblings grew up in a God-fearing home with pastors for parents.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;David’s spiritual heritage as a Hebrew practicing Messianic Judaism only adds to his unique expression of gospel music.

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Top 10 David E. Wilford - <b>Audition City:</B> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</B> Millsboro, DE<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> David was born in Miami and has earned a degree in social work. He and his three siblings grew up in a God-fearing home with pastors for parents.<BR><BR>David’s spiritual heritage as a Hebrew practicing Messianic Judaism only adds to his unique expression of gospel music.

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Top 10Orlando D. Wright - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/b&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Cincinnati, OH&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Orlando has been singing gospel for more than 42 years, despite losing hearing in his left ear. He has two kids and three grandchildren.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“I’m a worshipper. I love to worship because it keeps me happy. It’s my consistent prayer that God anoint my gift.”

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Top 10 Orlando D. Wright - <b>Audition City:</b> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</B> Cincinnati, OH<BR><BR><B>Bio:</B> Orlando has been singing gospel for more than 42 years, despite losing hearing in his left ear. He has two kids and three grandchildren.<BR><BR>“I’m a worshipper. I love to worship because it keeps me happy. It’s my consistent prayer that God anoint my gift.”

Funmi Oduyemi - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Lagos, Nigeria&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Lagos, Nigeria&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Funmi was raised in a Christian home and both of her parents are pastors. She loves gospel music because it touches the soul.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Her favorite song is CeCe Winans’ “Alabaster Box” because “it reminds me that despite my many sins, God is still able to embrace and accept me.”

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Funmi Oduyemi - <B>Audition City:</B> Lagos, Nigeria<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Lagos, Nigeria<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> Funmi was raised in a Christian home and both of her parents are pastors. She loves gospel music because it touches the soul.<br><br>Her favorite song is CeCe Winans’ “Alabaster Box” because “it reminds me that despite my many sins, God is still able to embrace and accept me.”

Vernell Payton - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Vernell has been singing for 17 years and is a licensed minister.&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“’Sunday Best’ is an amazing blessing that affirms to me that no matter how many letdowns and hurts in life, God will have the final word.”

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Vernell Payton - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> New Orleans</B><br><BR><B>Bio:</B> Vernell has been singing for 17 years and is a licensed minister.<br><BR>“’Sunday Best’ is an amazing blessing that affirms to me that no matter how many letdowns and hurts in life, God will have the final word.”

Quiana Pettigrew - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Detroit&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Cleveland, OH&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; This Cleveland native has been singing gospel since the age of 7.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“No other music gets to the center of my heart like gospel. I praise God because He has been the most consistent thing in my life. He’s always there and always faithful.”

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Quiana Pettigrew - <B>Audition City:</B> Detroit<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Cleveland, OH<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> This Cleveland native has been singing gospel since the age of 7.<br><br>“No other music gets to the center of my heart like gospel. I praise God because He has been the most consistent thing in my life. He’s always there and always faithful.”

Bethany Devine - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/b&gt; Maumelle, Arkansas&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Also known as B Devine, Bethany is a minister, singer and songwriter, born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the youngest of 10 children.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“I’m a classically trained vocalist who has devoted my craft to the Word of God.”

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Bethany Devine - <b>Audition City:</B> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Maumelle, Arkansas<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> Also known as B Devine, Bethany is a minister, singer and songwriter, born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is the youngest of 10 children.<BR><BR>“I’m a classically trained vocalist who has devoted my craft to the Word of God.”

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Robert Hatcher - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Detroit&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Cincinnati, OH&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Robert currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He was raised by a mother and grandmother who literally dragged him to church every Sunday.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“I’ve struggled and tried to make it in the music industry for the last three years. I knew that if I would keep pursuing my dream, something else would come.”

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Robert Hatcher - <b>Audition City:</B> Detroit<BR><BR><B>Current Hometown:</B> Cincinnati, OH<BR><BR><B>Bio:</B> Robert currently lives in Brooklyn, NY. He was raised by a mother and grandmother who literally dragged him to church every Sunday.<BR><BR>“I’ve struggled and tried to make it in the music industry for the last three years. I knew that if I would keep pursuing my dream, something else would come.”

Davon Fleming - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/b&gt; Philadelphia&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/b&gt; Baltimore&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Davon is spiritually grounded and so appreciative of the love and support God has given him from his church and his mom.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“‘Sunday Best’ is a great opportunity to spread the love of Jesus Christ and let all those people who said I would never be anything know that I am somebody.”

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Davon Fleming - <b>Audition City:</b> Philadelphia<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Baltimore<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> Davon is spiritually grounded and so appreciative of the love and support God has given him from his church and his mom.<BR><BR>“‘Sunday Best’ is a great opportunity to spread the love of Jesus Christ and let all those people who said I would never be anything know that I am somebody.”

Jonte Thomas - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt; Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt;New Orleans&lt;/B&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Jonte was born into a gospel music family. She spends her days balancing family life while singing locally in New Orleans.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&quot;After much prayer and preparation, I am ready for my new season. Now is the time to go forth in my music ministry.&quot;

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Jonte Thomas - <B>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<br><br><B> Current Hometown:</B>New Orleans</B><br><BR><B>Bio:</B> Jonte was born into a gospel music family. She spends her days balancing family life while singing locally in New Orleans.<br><br>"After much prayer and preparation, I am ready for my new season. Now is the time to go forth in my music ministry."

Lamesha &quot;Mesie&quot; Augustine - &lt;B&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; Detroit&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/B&gt; Indianapolis, IN&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;B&gt;Bio:&lt;/B&gt; Mesie Augustine is a sophomore at Purdue University and works part-time as a youth mentor.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;“Sharing the gospel through songs globally to reach this generation through gospel music is my ultimate goal. I believe that my music can be a viable vehicle to disseminate hope and direction to my generation.”

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Lamesha "Mesie" Augustine - <B>Audition City:</B> Detroit<br><br><B>Current Hometown:</B> Indianapolis, IN<br><br><B>Bio:</B> Mesie Augustine is a sophomore at Purdue University and works part-time as a youth mentor.<BR><BR>“Sharing the gospel through songs globally to reach this generation through gospel music is my ultimate goal. I believe that my music can be a viable vehicle to disseminate hope and direction to my generation.”

Brittney Dear - &lt;b&gt;Audition City:&lt;/B&gt; New Orleans&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Current Hometown:&lt;/b&gt; Madison, Mississippi&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;b&gt;Bio:&lt;/b&gt; Brittney is a Sunday school teacher in Jackson, Mississippi and has been singing gospel for 17 years..&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&quot;I’m excited to be a part of ‘Sunday Best’ because it is a great platform to share with my generation how much God loves us all.&quot;

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Brittney Dear - <b>Audition City:</B> New Orleans<BR><BR><b>Current Hometown:</b> Madison, Mississippi<BR><BR><b>Bio:</b> Brittney is a Sunday school teacher in Jackson, Mississippi and has been singing gospel for 17 years..<BR><BR>"I’m excited to be a part of ‘Sunday Best’ because it is a great platform to share with my generation how much God loves us all."