How Sweet The Sound Backstage Pass With Lori Pinson

The trucks arrived in Detroit around 6 Saturday morning to transform Joe Louis Arena into the largest gospel stage in Michigan. After stops in Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington, DC, Verizon's How Sweet the Sound gospel competition was finally here in Detroit, with only hours to prepare for a run through and 7:00p start time.

The show is huge and designed to showcase regional choirs. The winner from each city will then compete in Los Angeles for a grand prize totaling $30,000!  I was invited to participate in the Detroit version of How Sweet the Sound. This gave me backstage access to some of the incredible gospel greats recording today.

In addition to her music, Michigan native CeCe Winans is currently devoting time to empowering young people.  You can find out more about her organization: Always Sisters, Forever Brothers, here.  As co-host of How Sweet the Sound, CeCe was looking forward to coming home. "Some of the best artists and musicians come from Detroit..I want to see them shine."

Former Mumford High grad Fred Hammond agreed with CeCe: "The bottom line here (in Detroit) is the song is coming from different levels, from an understanding of struggle. There's a different level of praise and worship crying out to God that you won't hear in other cities."

In the excitement backstage, show time seemed to come quickly. I was handed a script and given final instructions on where to stand. Everything was by the minute, just like in television!

Stage managers Jeff and Bruce were excellent and kept the show running smoothly.

Changing out of my jeans, I took the final walk down to the arena stage accompanied by the efficient and super nice Rebecca.

Co-host Donald Lawrence welcomed me on stage, what a rush to stand in front of thousands of people! I introduced Oakland Christian Academy Concert Choir and with that, I joined the audience to watch the rest of the production!

The music was positive, energetic, soothing.  I rooted for all the choirs, but the night's big winner and regional representative was The Anointed Voices of Higher Ground Choir out of Columbus, Ohio.

What a night!

To follow the competition's progress and for highlights of How Sweet the Sound in all the cities, click here.

Get more Weather or Not with Lori Pinson on CBSDetroit.com.