By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – It is said good things come in small packages. That old adage is certainly true in the case of Reserve resident Rance Scott Jr.

On first glance, Scott seems just like any other 8-year-old, but when he opens his mouth to sing, it quickly becomes apparent he possesses talents well beyond his tender age.

Scott, like many singers in the area, got his start singing in local churches. But his love for gospel music predates his first public appearances.

Influenced by his grandmothers, Joean Mason and Barbara Gibbs, as well as his late great-grandmother, Mary Julia Mason, Scott said he started singing at the age of 3. By the time he reached 6, he had found a place on the choir at Beech Grove Baptist Church in Reserve. It was as a part of this ensemble Scott got his first taste of the big time.

“I got the opportunity to sing with Yolanda Adams,” said Scott, who is the son of Akira Ceaser and Rance Scott Sr.

He, along with the rest of the choir, opened for the Grammy Award-winning gospel singer at the St. John Civic Center in 2008.

After that Scott got the opportunity to share his talent with other churches and at other events.

It was while singing at a funeral that Scott caught the eye of Gramercy-based spoken word artist and preacher Rosalind Davis.

“I heard him sing, and I said, ‘Who is that boy?’” Davis said.

She gave him her card, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Said Scott, “Every time she went to preach, I sang before her.”

“Then I started putting him on YouTube, and people started looking at him from there,” Davis added.

And according to grandmother Mason, “He’s been on a roll ever since.”

“I gave him my word that wherever I go I was going to take him with me,” Davis explained.

True to her word, earlier this month Davis took Scott on a little road trip to Atlanta to audition for the television show “Sunday’s Best.”

Davis estimated there were about 5,000 people waiting in line to audition when they arrived.

“I thought I wasn’t going to get in there,” said Scott.

With most of the other hopefuls having at least 10 years on him, the youngster quickly grabbed the attention of the show’s camera crew, who interviewed him a few times during the audition process. Scott even gave them a little preview of his singing ability while waiting in line.

Once inside, Scott wowed the judges with his rendition of “Encourage Yourself.”

“Nobody could believe he was 8 years old,” said Davis.

Scott made it all the way to the final round singing his signature song. During the final round, however, his age proved an obstacle too great to overcome.

“(The judges) told him if he was not in school, all three would have voted for him,” Davis noted, adding, “They told him to come back when he’s through with school.”

Still, the experience left an impression on the boy, who is the youngest contestant to reach the final round of the audition process. He got the opportunity to meet “Sunday Best” stars Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin.

Since returning from Atlanta, Scott has been very busy. He’s done radio interviews and is preparing for a June taping of “Bobby Jones Gospel” in New Orleans.

“I believe after ‘Bobby Jones’ everything is going to blow up,” said Davis.

Until then, however, Scott is content with his weekly singing gig at New Rescue Mission Baptist Church in Reserve.

Still, hopes for his future remain high.

Said Davis, “I believe he is going to be one of the best gospel singers in this day and time.”

Davis, however, said she hopes to guide him through the early part of his career to help him avoid the pitfalls that so many child stars fall victim to.

“Not enough money in the world can replace his gift,” she said.