By Isseu Diouf Campbell
McDonald’s Gospelfest started in 1983 as a small community event hosted by the McDonald’s Tri-State Owner/Operator Association. Thirty years later, the gospel celebration now produced and directed by Emmy Award winning Producer, A. Curtis Farrow, fills arenas and attracts participants from all over the world.
On May 11, 2013 over 900 competitors shared the stage of the Prudential Center in New Jersey with Bishop T.D. Jakes, Christian hip hop artist Lecrae and some of the biggest names in gospel including Aretha Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Cissy Houston, Smokie Norful, and John P. Kee.
The 2013 McDonald’s Gospelfest winners are:
1.Gospel Rap: Andres Suren, Jr. “Lazarus, Bayonne, NJ
2.Praise Dance Solo-Trio: Revelations, Newark, NJ
3.Poet: Sheener Bailey, Queens Village, NY
4.Praise Dance Group: Victory Praise Dance, Culver, CA
5.Comedian: Chuck Burks, Teaneck, NJ
6.Step: Storm of the Century, Orange, NJ
7.Male Solo: Angel Vigier, Long Branch, NJ
8.Female Solo: Beverly Cox, Hempstead, NY
9.Teen Solo: Maurice Johnson, Hempstead, NY
10.Group: Voices of Glory, Jamaica, NY
11.Youth Choir: Joy Unlimited Youth Choir, Philadelphia, PA
12.Adult Choir: Greater Central Jersey Community Choir, Plainfield, NJ
The McDonald’s Gospelfest competition is an important fundraising event supporting education opportunities within local communities.
Photos of the event
