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Anthony Campbell pauses at his home in Spotsylvania County between trips to New York City for 'Today's Superstar' contest. |
Anthony Campbell fans will get to cheer their favorite "Today's Superstar" crooner on national TV tomorrow morning.
An NBC "Today" show crew will broadcast periodically from Chancellor Baptist Church in Spotsylvania County.
"We're inviting the world," said the Rev. Eric Goforth, pastor of the church. "Anyone who wants to show Anthony support should be here at 7:30 a.m."
Campbell, who lives in Spotsylvania County, advanced to the final four contestants in the morning show's talent search. He'll appear on "Today" in New York City at 8:30 a.m. to find out if he advances to another round.
If he makes the cut, he'll sing Van Morrison's "Have I Told You Lately."
Throughout tomorrow's segment, the TV crews will transmit from the hometowns of the four finalists, panning the crowds and interviewing supporters who want to offer congratulatory messages.
Goforth said the church will display the "Today" show on a large screen TV. The church is located of State Route 3 west at 11324 Gordon Road.
"Everyone will get to watch Anthony perform," Goforth said.
Campbell, who leads the contemporary praise team choir at the church, has become a hometown celebrity since he was selected one of eight finalists last month.
He's appeared on local radio shows, Richmond and Washington TV stations and has been a guest on fredericksburg.com's Internet chat line.
He also sang the national anthem at the James Monroe High School football game on Halloween.
Meanwhile, friends and fans have mounted a grass-roots effort to solicit Internet votes for Campbell. Viewers can vote online at the "Today" show Web site today.msnbc.com after each performance on Mondays and Thursdays.
The winner will be announced Nov. 20 and will perform the following week at Rockefeller Plaza. The"Superstar" also gets a recording session with Warner Bros.
King George High School classmate and friend Cath Tschirn Thomas has written mass e-mails encouraging everyone she knows to vote for Campbell. She's designing "We love Anthony" T-shirts for herself and friends to wear tomorrow at the church. She's also circulated fliers to King George businesses urging people to vote for him in the online contest.
Local businesses also are doing their part. Meadows Farms Nursery off State Route 3 in Spotsylvania displays a marquee urging passers-by to vote for Campbell.
Goforth said at least one of the church members is so confident that Campbell will win that he's already made plans to be there.
Two dozen church members cheered him at his Monday performance in New York.
Campbell already ensured one family's vote long before they heard him sing.
Linda VanLandingham, who lives in Kingswood subdivision, said a man and his wife stopped at their house one afternoon two years ago to offer her husband, Brandon, and 6-year-old son, David, Redskins football tickets.
The man said he had noticed the Redskins paraphernalia in the family's garage and thought they might appreciate tickets he couldn't use. Husband and son excitedly accepted the tickets, but didn't know the name of the kind man until they saw Campbell perform on the "Today" show.
"They said, 'That's him,'" VanLandingham said. "He made my son so happy, and I didn't know how to thank him. He's not just a good singer, he's a really good guy."
To reach MARTY MORRISON: 540/374-5423 mmorrison@freelancestar.com
