Last weekend, as part of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour, McDonald’s USA introduced the first ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase and in-depth Master Class to Atlanta.
This is the first time that as part of its free nationwide tour, the Golden Arches has provided a two-day empowering and educational experience. The trip is an expansion of the Black & Positive Golden campaign by McDonald, an initiative that shines a brilliant light on Black excellence through the fields of empowerment, education, and entrepreneurship. The Golden Voice Talent Showcase and Master Class were produced in partnership with RCA Inspiration.
GOLDEN VOICE TALENT SHOWCASE: The power-packed experience began at the Riverside Epicenter on Friday night with the Golden Voice Talent Showcase. A group of gospel music fans and judges, including musical powerhouses Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard, and Sir the Baptist, heard twenty-four hopefuls from as close as metro Atlanta to as far as Rochester, NY. RCA Inspiration Marketing Vice President Damon Williams joined the judging panel, feedback on their performances from aspiring artists. Ultimately, with a traditional gospel hymn, Atlanta-born Aarion Rhodes blew away the magistrates and onlookers. She took home the grand prize, which included opening for the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concert the following day in her hometown.
MASTER CLASS: The following morning, the showcase judges joined tour host Lonnie Hunter for an in-depth Master Class, held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The panelists gave an intimate crowd an inside look into the music business.
CONCERT: The exciting weekend culminated with a much-anticipated, explosive concert featuring performances by Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard, Sir the Baptist, Tye Tribbett, Keke Wyatt, and DJ Standout. The event was hosted by Lonnie Hunter and drew approximately 6,000 attendees to New Birth.
Below are some exciting photos from this great event:
Tour host and media personality Lonnie Hunter engage grand prize winner Aarion Rhodes (L-R)on stage prior to her show-stopping audition at the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. The showcase is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. Atlanta-native and grand prize winner Aarion Rhodes gives showstopping audition at the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. The showcase is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. Atlanta-native Aarion Rhodes took home the grand prize at the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. As part of the prize, Rhodes got to open the Atlanta concert of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour on June 22. The showcase is offered in select tour markets and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. Second-place winner Timothy “Son of Faith” Williams (left) and third-place winner Jessica Hitte (right) celebrates with grand prize winner Aarion Rhodes (center)on stage after the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. The showcase is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. DJ Standout, Kierra Sheard, Donald Lawrence and Sir the Baptist (L-R) join grand prize winner Aarion Rhodes (Center) on stage after the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. The showcase is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. Twenty-four contestants eagerly await the announcement of the night’s top performers at the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase. The showcase is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration. RCA Inspiration Vice President of Marketing Damon Williams, gospel music greats Sir the Baptist, Kierra Sheard and Donald Lawrence, (L-R) drop music industry knowledge on attendees during the first-ever Master Class. Hosted by media personality Lonnie Hunter (far right), the Master Class is offered in select markets of the 13th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour and is in partnership with RCA Inspiration.
Friday Ime
