Features

Gospel Explosion kicks of week of activities

T.H. Harris Auditorium was nearly full Sunday with open hearts and ears ready to enjoy the gospel performances that night. 

As attendees walked into the free event, they were greeted with inspirational music until the host and hostess were ready to get the show started. 

Hostess Kelsey Kyser, a 26-year-old developmental education doctoral student, walked out on the stage, mic in hand and began to perform an original rap to open up the show. 

As Kyser ended her rhymes, co-host Quanterio Lane came out full of energy and excitement to introduce the first performance by the Louisiana Tech gospel choir.

After the choir performed two selections, both hosts vied to amp up the crowd and get them ready to receive the mime group F.A.M.E. 

“The crowd kind of seemed a little observant, but they started to groove with us after a while,” said Kyser

F.A.M.E. was well received by the audience, so much so that they were brought back on stage to do an encore performance to the Kirk Franklin song “Something about the name Jesus.” 

The crowd shouted and yelped with excitement as the mimers brought the lyrics to life through their movements and facial expressions. 

Of course, other GSU students were also part of the show. Student organized group Untitled Praise performed two selections. After them, songstress and senior theater major Karlie Robinson, who is no stranger to the stage, performed her rendition of “Take me to the King” by Tamala Mann. 

Next up was gospel rapper William Fields, also known as Gazelle Music, performing a selection titled “I Ain’t Worried About Nothing Pt. 2” with graduate student Kionna Stewart and alumnus Abriyanna Hill singing the chorus, “Devil ain’t ’bout that life” in the background. 

It was now time for the headliner of the Gospel Extravaganza, recent Sunday Best winner Tasha Page Lockhart. 

She, her three background singers and live band had onlookers on their feet singing along as her powerful vocals filled the auditorium.  

Many audience members were amazed by her performance. Tina Harris, a visiting attendee, expressed with excitement, “She can sing!” 

Lockhart ended her performance with an inspirational message and charge to the audience to motivate them keep the faith. 

After her performance, Lockhart signed autographs, sold CDs, and took photographs with fans.