Soulful singing

Kristin Cavins of Channahon was eliminated from "Inspiration Sensation." She's described as very sweet, articulate and mature by the show's co-producer.

"She was eliminated based on last weekend's votes," Williams said. "The irony of it, in my opinion, is that Saturday was one of Kristin's best performances. She's very sweet, very articulate and, for her age I think, very mature.

As a producer, I look for stage ability and she has that ability. She did great, but she is gone.
"However, Denise is still on and has been a favorite from an audience perspective, but we'll have to wait and see if she makes it through another set of rounds.

She does have a natural charming ability. She has a cute smile, is a sweet person and she's a good singer."
According to its Web site--www.

inspirationsensation.com, the goal of this two-time Emmy award winning, national show, which began its fourth season on April 14, is to discover the next, big voice in Christian music.
These are not idle words.

The 2006 finalist Cody Clausen of St. Charles not only received a contract with Asone Sound Music Group--which all finalists receive-- he also opened once for Christian Grammy award winning artist Michael W. Smith in a Rockford concert last August.

Judges will determine May 19th's finalist by evaluating both the individual's talent and the number of votes he or she gains from the viewers. Special guest for Saturday's show is award-winning gospel artist Donald Lawrence.

Host the Rev.

Dan Willis, senior pastor at The Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip, created the Christian talent search show in 2004 for Christian vocalists ages 16 to 26. While most of the contestants come from the Chicago area--the show is taped in Aurora--it is not a requirement for auditioning for it. Two seasons ago, one finalist lived in Tennessee but stayed with nearby relatives while she was on the show, Williams said.

But singing live for the show is not the only perk to becoming a contestant.
As long as a performer is part of the show, he or she receives extensive vocal training and guidance on stage presence from recording artist Eddie Tucker, the show's musical director.
But in addition to performance training, Willis also places strong emphasis on the spiritual development of each individual and works with them to help them grow in modesty, integrity and pureness of heart.

Unlike similar, secular shows, contestants are not subjected to any form of ridicule. To be even considered for the show, the young vocalist must exhibit a combination of singing ability, stage presence and an ability to connect outward with the audience and upward to God.
"That last one is so personal," Williams said.

"We would never say that someone isn't worshipping God, but there are times when you can tell that someone is really in tune with the Lord."

Not even in their wildest dreams had Ramos or Cavins considered auditioning, had it not been for a nudge from spiritual leaders in their respective churches. For Cavins, that person was Douglas Golden, her grandfather and pastor at her church, Joliet Church of God.

For Ramos, it was Joy Thornton, wife of senior pastor Earl Thornton at First Assembly of God church in Joliet.
Thornton knew the first time she heard Ramos sing a solo for the adult worship service that she was destined for bigger opportunities.
"Denise's voice is outstanding and when I heard about 'Inspiration Sensation' last year I thought of Denise immediately, except that she wasn't old enough then to participate," Thornton said.

Hoping to remain with the show until the end, Ramos has been busy eliciting votes from as much family and friends as she can. But she entertains no visions of fame and fortune dancing in her head.
If she wins, Ramos wants to use her success to inspire other teens to look toward God for life's answers.

"You have to have a lot of votes to be number one," she said. "This has been a real step of faith for me. I would like to make a CD to let the people of this generation know the good news about Jesus Christ.

There's nothing out there that's worth beating yourself up over. God made you, He loves you, so you don't need to worry about anything else."
For Cavins, who did not audition simply to win, is disappointed, but insists that her goal for her music has not changed.

"I have total peace about it and already doors are opening for me," Cavins said. "The reason I did the show was to share my faith with others. Winning was not that important to me.

"There's been so many other benefits to being a part of the show that I'm leaving still feeling like I've accomplished something. It's been an awesome experience and I hope that it will open up other doors for me to share my faith.