The Gospel Music Channel has announced that Gospel Dream, the Idol-esque singing competition, is back for a fourth season. The show airs beginning June 6 and culminates with the grand finale coronation of the new Gospel Dream winner on July 11.
“Gospel Dream is the original music reality competition on television that celebrates aspiring artists who desire to inspire, as well as to entertain,” says Charles Humbard, founder and president, Gospel Music Channel, in a press release.
Given the number of Christian contestants on this season of American Idol, it does beg the question: do we need a separate singing competition? Or should Christians be using their talents in the mainstream? What do you think?
Auditions for Gospel Dream will be held in nine cities, starting April 1:
The cities and dates scheduled for Gospel Dream auditions are:

• April 1: Seattle – Northwest University Chapel – 5520 108th Ave. NE Kirkland, WA 98033
• April 8: Minneapolis – 3 Degrees – 113 N. 5th St Minneapolis, MN 55403
• April 10: Dallas – Open Door City Church – Harwood Plaza, 8421 Boulevard 26 N. Richland Hills, TX 76180
• April 14: Los Angeles – Dream Center Angeles Temple – 1100 Glendale Blvd L.A. CA 90026
• April 15: Oakland – Shiloh Church – 3295 School St. Oakland, CA 90026
• April 25: Nashville – Marathon Village – 1305 Clinton St. Nashville TN 37203
• May 1: Orlando – Northland Church – 530 Dog Track Road Longwood, FL 32750
• May 2: Atlanta – Wagon Works – 1514 East Cleveland Ave., 2nd Floor, East Point, GA 30344
• May 4: Detroit – Wayne State University Student Center Room 29 – 5221 Gullen Mall Detroit MI 48202

Singers from all Gospel/Christian styles, including traditional, rock, pop, country and soul, are invited to audition for Gospel Dream 2009. Solo artists ages 16 to 40 are eligible. Between 30 and 35 contestants from the audition cities will be selected to compete for the crown in Nashville.
For more information about Gospel Dream, visit the Gospel Music Channel website.