What’s Up? with Merlene

It won’t be exactly like an episode of American Idol, although there might be some folks who sing better in their minds than they do in our ears.
Still, First Baptist Church Bracktown’s “Kentucky’s Sunday Best Voices” gospel music competition promises to be just as entertaining as that TV reality show.
Based on BET’s Sunday Best talent competition for gospel singers, Bracktown’s venture is a fund-raiser for its Black Males Working program, open to African-American boys in grades six through 12.
For nearly five years, BMW, which meets on ­Saturdays, has stressed ­intense academics and personal responsibility. It was founded by former ­Lexington public schools educator ­Roszalyn Akins.

Roszalyn Akins

The students learn ­German, history and math, and work on reading during weekly three-hour ­sessions. If any have behavioral problems or excessive tardiness at school during the previous week, they must stand before their fellow BMW students and apologize.
And the program has big plans.
“We are trying to take the 20 young men with the highest GPAs (grade point averages) to Europe next year,” Akins said. “On June 13, 2010, we’re going to get on a plane and go to Europe. I don’t even talk about it not happening. God gave us the vision, and we’re trusting him for us to have the opportunity to take these young men.”
The idea of the talent competition was born during a brainstorming session with the BMW parents advisory board. Akins said there are a lot of people in Lexington who sing gospel and would welcome the opportunity to “show off the gifts they have been blessed with.”
The competition will run for six Sundays, beginning Nov. 1, skipping the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and concluding Dec. 13.
The winner will receive two tickets to the 25th ­annual Stellar Awards in Nashville on Jan. 16 and $500. The Stellar Awards celebrate gospel artists much as the Grammys focus on all musical genres.
“We’d like to send them to see the people whose songs they sing,” she said.
Participants must be legal residents of Kentucky and at least 16 years old. During the two first-round trials, ­contestants will select from a pre-approved list of songs that must be sung a ­cappella in their chosen style. ­Thereafter, contestants may choose their songs and ­accompanists.
Judges for the ­competition include noted singer, ­organist and music workshop ­instructor Delma Peoples; Sandra “Cissy” Williams, who has performed in ­local ­musical productions, ­including Mahalia in 1981 and Above My Head in 2007; Clay Coffey of the R&B duo Black Coffey; and pianist and accompanist Charles F. Little.
All applications and the $25 entry fee must be returned by Oct. 18. ­Applications are available at First Baptist Church ­Bracktown, 3016 Bracktown Road, or by calling (859) 231-7042.
Tickets for the first rounds, on Nov. 1 and 8, are $5 each night. Tickets for the second round, scheduled for Nov. 15 and 22, will be $10 each night. The semifinals, on Dec. 6, will be $15, and the finals, on Dec. 13, are $20. A $50 ticket is available for the entire competition.
Not only will the trip ­benefit the 20 young men who earn a chance to go, but it also will help change the image of young black males that Europeans see on television.
“They will see that they are not gangsters and thugs,” Akins said. “They will be ambassadors for the United States. It will take all the things that they read and bring them to life.”