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Marvin "Coconut" Winans, Jr. and Vickie Winans (photo courtesy Jeff Cross)

Reported by Carl B.

Dateline: Saturday, January 8, 2005, 8PM at The Masonic Temple in Detroit.

Vickie Winans (Destiny Joy Records) & Marvin Winans, Jr. (M2 Entertainment) Present: SOUL STAR - A Talent Competition & Battle of The Bands

The Masonic Temple was filled with the sounds of music as 20 contestants and four bands vied to be “Soul Star” 2005. Sponsored by M2M Entertainment and Destiny Joy Records, singers sang their hearts out for the grand prize of $5,000, a recording contract and an image makeover.

WJLB radio personality, CoCo and LaShell Griffin (photo courtesy of Jeff Cross)

Judges included Oprah Pop Star winner Lashell Griffin, WJLB radio personality CoCo, producer Waryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), R&B sensation Mario Winans, and the president of Sanctuary Records, Demmette Guidry.

The Judges Table (photo courtesy of Jeff Cross)

The evening, hosted by Destiny Joy Records president, Vicki Winans, began with a rendition of “Amazing Grace” performed by Chicago native Jesse Campbell. Following the opening song the 20 contestants took stage to perform 30 seconds of a song of their choice.

While the judges narrowed the field down to 10 contestants, local Detroit gospel artist, David Miller, performed selections from his latest release, “Standing On The Promises.”

Jessica Campbell (photo courtesy of Jeff Cross)

The 10 remaining contestants were reduced to 5 after a smoking performance by R&B band HotSauce. After a 1 minute performance by the 5 semi-finalists, the judges had the difficult decision of selecting 2 finalists, a rapper named Christian “Chris Style” Williams, and a power packed female vocalist Jessica Campbell.

Chris Style wowed the audience with an original rap, followed by Jessica Campbell performing American Idol Fantasia’s hit single “I Believe.”

LaShell Griffin (photo courtesy of Jeff Cross)

Before the selection of the winner, the audience was treated to a performance by LaShell Griffin of her hit single, “Free,” and the hardest working lady in gospel music, Vicki Winans, had the audience on their feet as she performed “Shake Yourself Loose.”

Vickie Winans (photo courtesy of Jeff Cross)

M2M Entertainment founder, Marvin Winans Jr., took the stage, along with his mother, Vicki Winans, to announce the winner of the $5,000 prize and recording contract. After announcing Jessica Campbell as the winner, her fans rushed the stage to celebrate with her. In a surprise announcement, runner up Chris Style was awarded $1,000.

Carl B. and Soul Star 2005 winner, Jessica Campbell
(photo courtesy Jeff Cross)