When Raymond Anthony Myles takes the stage at the Gospel Tent he is usually accompanied by the sound of screaming women. At the sight of this extravagantly dressed man, a shiver of delight runs through the crowd, anticipating the celestial, honey-dripping voice and show-stopping flamboyance for which he has become known as "the Little Richard of gospel."

Soul diva Patti LaBelle discovered this firsthand during last year's Essence Festival, when she randomly called up audience members onto ...