Dallas/Ft. Worth – The American Heart Association’s Power to End Stroke campaign is looking for a powerful act to open for award-winning Gospel artist, Dr. Marvin Sapp, when it hosts the “Most Powerful Voices Gospel Tour,” an evening of empowering music fused with healthy lifestyle messaging on October 22 at Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas.

This event is more than just a concert.  It launches with an opportunity for local Gospel entertainers to show off their talent by submitting their demos via Face Book. Through an on-line voting process, those who make it to the final round will have an opportunity to perform at a live audition on September 25 at St. John Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, for Trin-i-tee 5:7, the best-selling gospel trio in the industry. Top acts will then be selected to open for contemporary gospel newcomer and break-through artist Brian Courtney Wilson and headliner Dr. Marvin Sapp, whose 2007 hit single, “Never Would Have Made It,” held the No. 1 spot on Gospel radio for nearly one year.

Auditions are open to local gospel groups in two categories: choirs with six or more members, and independent artists with less than five members.  Demos are submitted via the Heart Association’s Face Book page. Family, friends, and fans have an opportunity to vote for and “like” their favorite group. The winners, one from each category, will serve as opening acts for the concert.

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability among African-Americans.  This population has almost twice the risk of suffering first-ever strokes as compared to Whites, and African-Americans ages 35-54 have four times the relative risk of stroke.

The “Most Powerful Voices Gospel Tour” will visit seven cities throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.  In each tour city, local gospel acts will be chosen to perform.  Thousands of concert-goers will hear an empowering message through the music, and will be urged to make a declaration to take control of their health, reduce their risk for stroke and learn the warning signs of stroke.

For more information on obtaining an audition packet and submitting demos, visit www.heart.org/mostpowerfulvoices or go to www.facebook.com and search for “Most Powerful Voices Auditions with Marvin Sapp – Dallas/Ft. Worth” or call 214. 712. 1332 or 817. 698. 5372. Deadline for all entries for the Dallas/Ft. Worth competition is September 10.

About the American Stroke Association:

Created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association works to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives from stroke — America’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability.  To do this, we fund scientific research, help people better understand and avoid stroke, encourage government support, guide healthcare professionals, and provide information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life.  To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org.

Click Audition Packet to download forms