BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Online
voting is now open for Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Gospel
Celebration, the country’s premiere gospel music experience.  Gospel
music fans can visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com
to review and vote on video essays submitted by choirs who will perform
in the How Sweet the Sound regional celebrations.  Online votes will be
combined with votes from the live audience at each concert to determine
the V CAST People’s Choice Award-winners at each live event.  Voting is
open now through Wednesday, August 31.

“Verizon
recognizes that our customers want to participate in community
programs. Online voting allows for gospel-music enthusiasts across the
country to participate in How Sweet the Sound and make a real impact,”
said Marquett Smith, vice president,
corporate communications, Verizon Wireless. “Log on to become a virtual
judge from home and vote for your favorite regional finalist.”

Choir
video essays tell each choir’s personal story from the ways in which
their ministry is helping their community to how they are helping others
prosper and grow.  Once voting is complete, the online voting results
will be tallied and announced on www.HowSweetTheSound.com.
 Later, the results will be combined with votes from the live audience
at each show to select the V CAST People’s Choice Award-winners.  Each V
CAST People’s Choice Award-winner will receive a $5,000 prize at the regional celebrations.

Details
about Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound, including schedules, online
voting, judging criteria and official rules, are available online at www.HowSweetTheSound.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon
Wireless operates the nation’s fastest, most advanced 4G network and
largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 106.3 million
total wireless connections, including 89.7 million retail customers.
 Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and
high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the
Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

 Verizon Wireless