If you’re looking for a blessing, get ready to receive one. Mark your calendar for a feel-good, praiseworthy time at Verizon’s How Sweet The Sound (HSTS).  The tour, one of the country’s biggest gospel music celebrations, kicks off in Dallas on Thursday, September 15. It features church choirs across the country showcasing their faith and mountainous talent while vying for the chance to walk away with up to $50,000.

Once again, gospel legend CeCe Winans and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, songwriter and producer Donald Lawrence return to co-host.

“Anyone attending HSTS will see church choirs at their very best.  It’s a great opportunity to experience the many different looks, sounds and styles of choirs from around the country in the dynamic setting of large arenas,” Lawrence told EBONY.com. “This year we are also giving a HSTS living legend award to one of my mentors, Andraé Crouch. This is my fourth year with HSTS, and it is a great honor for me to help broaden the exposure of the church choir, an entity that many of us experience in our own houses of worship on Sunday mornings.”

Marvin Sapp will serve as the tour’s resident judge for another year. Mary Mary, Dorinda Clark Cole, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, James Fortune, Byron Cage, Ricky Dillard and Shirley Caesar are among those who will join him on the judges’ panel.

“Participating in HSTS has truly been one of the high points of my career,” said Sapp. “The choirs we get to see and hear are just incredible. It is amazing to see the vast gifting that God has given people. America is in for a treat as we kick off this year’s tour. It is high spirited and a lot of fun.”

Be there! Make your plans to see the tour in a city near you:

  • Dallas—Sept. 15 at American Airlines Center
  • Atlanta—Sept. 17 at Philips Arena
  • Charlotte, N.C. Sept. 19 at Time Warner Cable Arena
  • Washington, D.C.—Sept. 21 at Verizon Center
  • Detroit—Sept. 24 at Joe Louis Arena
  • St. Louis Sept. 26 at Scottrade Center
  • Chicago—Sept. 27 at United Center
  • Los Angeles—Oct. 1 at STAPLES Center
  • Oakland, Calif.—Oct. 4 at Oracle Arena

For more details, including video content, judging criteria, ticket sales information and official rules, visit HowSweetTheSound.com.