25 Days of Christmas!! DAY #1 Jeff Timmons *People Get Ready*

From the Jim Brickman Christmas Show that Jeff took part in a few years ago. This was filmed at a Cleveland Tv Show

First Look - THE SING OFF: Watch 'Home Free' Vie for the Season 4 Title!

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NBC's "The Sing-Off," hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey, returns for its fourth season Monday, Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET). Below, get a sneak peek of the all-new season featuring a performance by Minneapolis all-male group Home Free performing Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise,' courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter!

The 4th season of THE SING OFF will run for seven episodes, with the two-hour finale set for Monday, Dec. 23 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT). The groups, who are competing for the prize of $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract, will perform for celebrity judges Jewel ("Two Hearts Breaking" "Ring of Fire") Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men).

The 10 groups that will vie to be the best a cappella group in the country were revealed today. The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. They are:

ACOUSTIKATS (Lexington, KY): This collegiate group has been serenading sorority girls all over the University of Kentucky campus, but now it's their time to make it on the big stage. With their southern charm they hope to win over America's hearts.

CALLE SOL (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico): From the island of Puerto Rico, this group of six professional musicians has only been together for a few short months. Their Latin style is sure to bring a flare to the competition.

ELEMENT (New York City): This all-female group brings a New York attitude to the stage. They all work day jobs and pursue their showbiz dreams in the concrete jungle during their time off. These powerful female voices hope to bring a buzz to the a cappella world.

THE FILHARMONIC (Los Angeles): This locally based group is made up of male Filipino singers. Their knack for '90s R&B, mixed with their Filipino culture, is sure to bring a new twist to the music of the past.

HOME FREE (Minneapolis): This all-male group has already been on the road touring the country and the transcontinental journeys have made them all very close. Their years of performance experience add to their refreshing country sound.

THE PRINCETON FOOTNOTES (Princeton, N.J.): A 50-year-old tradition is holding strong with this Ivy Leaguegroup - classically trained, perfectly polished and technically great. Although they stick to tradition, they also like to mix a modern flair.

STREET CORNER RENAISSANCE (Los Angeles): This soulful group put aside their dreams of becoming musicians to raise their families. Now it's time to shine. Their roots are in doo-wop and they strive to pay homage to this classic sound.

TEN (Dallas): Many of these eclectic artists have experienced traveling with professionals in well-known bands. Their group leader brought them together. The gospel influence and impressive backgrounds produce a perfected sound.

VOCAL RUSH (Oakland, CA): The youngest group in the competition is a force to be reckoned with. They have won the high school a cappella groups' international championship two years in a row. Their pop and R&B influence are sure to put a spin on modern chart-topping hits.

VOICEPLAY (Orlando, FL): These three best friends have been together since high school and expanded their group to six, added the influence of a female voice. They toured the U.S. and ended up back in Orlando performing before auditioning for "The Sing-Off." This pop-inspired group blends the male and female voices perfectly.

Music from season four of "The Sing-Off" will be available on iTunes the day of each telecast.

"The Sing-Off" scours the country in search of the best a cappella groups who will perform chart-topping songs in weekly competition. The groups will be competing for America's vote and a chance to walk away with the ultimate prize: A Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.

A new twist will be added this season. At the end of every show, the bottom two groups decided by the judges willFace Off in an Ultimate Sing Off, trying to knock their opponent out of the competition with the power of only their voices. At the end of the night, one group will be eliminated from the competition. One song, two teams, with their dreams on the line.'

Nick Lachey Dishes on His 'Orphan' Thanksgiving

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By LESLEY MESSER

LESLEY MESSERMore From Lesley »

Entertainment Editor

LESLEY MESSERMore From Lesley »

Entertainment Editor

In L.A. this Thanksgiving and still in need of holiday plans? Nick Lachey is your guy.

The host of NBC's "The Sing-Off," which premieres Dec. 9, will be on the west coast this Thanksgiving and he and his wife Vanessa are planning a huge dinner for their loved ones.

"We have some friends, we call them 'the orphans,' who don't have families out here, get together at our place and cook up at turkey," the former 98 Degrees singer, 40, told ABC News. "That's our Thanksgiving tradition."

While his wife serves as the chef for the evening, Lachey does have one important role: deep-frying a bird.

"We do one in the oven and one deep-fried and so I'm charge of deep-frying and hopefully not burning down the house," he said. "I have it down to a science at this point because this is my fourth year doing it."

Lachey, who calls the holiday "an excuse to eat turkey and watch football," will also be spending quality time with his 14-month-old son, Camden, who loves turning on the lights and mimicking what his parents say.

"I told him 'no' once and he looked back and said 'No, no, no, no, no,' so I've stopped using 'no,' and hoped he'll forget about it," Lachey said. "He knows the birds and the trees and what the sheep says and it's fun! It's fun to see them pick up on things and become their own little people."

Nick Lachey Couldn't Get Any Cuter ... Then He Became A Dad

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By Amanda Hamilton Sy

Exclusive! "We do want more kids," Nick tells YourTango.

For years, Nick Lachey spent his nights singing to thousands of screaming girls as part of the chart-topping boy band 98 Degrees.

But lately, The Sing-Off host has been crooning to a much smaller audience — his one-year-old son, Camden.

Cue the awws! We sat down with Nick Lachey to discuss what he loves most about being a dad ... and if any more kids are in his future with wife Vanessa Lachey.

YourTango: You recently said you're not ready for baby no. 2 any time soon, but should you and Vanessa decide to expand your family, are you hoping for a brother or sister for Camden?
Nick Lachey: I have no expectations of what baby no. 2 will be, nor do I have any hope or dreams either way. I think as a father, it's cool to have a son — obviously, we've already taken care of that part — so whatever comes for no. 2 is a welcome addition to the family. Although I say that's not going to happen any day imminently, we do want more kids. So, if and when that day does happen, I'm sure we'll be ecstatic with a boy or girl.

YourTango: Is there a lot of a cappella singing in your home, especially now that you have a little one? 
Nick Lachey: Music, in general, is big in our home; I'm a musician, and my wife is a passionate lover of music — worked at MTV for so many years — so there's constantly music on in our house. We sing to Camden every time we put him down for a nap or put him down for the night. So, yes, technically, there's a little a cappella happening in our house every day, usually in the lullaby form, but it is happening every day.

YourTango: What is Camden's favorite lullaby?
Nick Lachey: I'd like to think it's one of the ones I wrote for him. I did a lullaby record for him that came out this year called Father's Lullaby, and there's a song on there called "Sleepy Eyes" that was one I kind of wrote while he was still in the womb ... that's the one I sing to him every day before he goes down

There's a little a cappella happening in our house every day," 'The Sing-Off' host says.

98 Degrees’ Jeff Timmons & ‘Men of the Strip’ Visit Fox 8

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by Darcie Loreno,

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The boy band 98 Degrees went on tour this summer, making a stop in Cleveland.

One of the band’s founding members, Jeff Timmons, was at Fox 8 Friday to talk about his new project: a musical male revue show.

It’s called “Men of Strip”, and the dancers involved are performing Friday night at Barley House.

**For details on that show and the dancers involved, watch the video above.**

But Timmons wasn’t just visiting Northeast Ohio — he was visiting home. He’s originally from Massillon.

He said he was humbled to be at Fox 8 after watching its personalities growing up. He told a story about meeting Fox 8′s Dick Goddard as a child. 

And before he left, Timmons helped Fox 8′s Angelica Campos with Friday’s weather forecast.

Jeff Timmons and the varying “Degrees” of boy banders on TV

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Emily Gagne



Could Timmons' new reality series cool his career off, JC Chasez style, or take it to sizzling, Donnie Wahlberg-only levels?

98 Degrees was definitely the most lukewarm of the ’90s boy bands (at least in terms of fandom). But the group — a side piece to the mega meals that were the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC — is really starting to gain some heat these days, what with several of its members finding their way to the small screen.

The main face of 98 Degrees, Mr. Nick Lachey, has been on the tube for quite some time (more on that below) but now Jeff Timmons, that other non-Lachey-family hottie from the band, is following in Lachey’s footsteps, agreeing to star in a reality series following the lives of male strippers.

Yes, in the years following the mutual disbanding of 98 Degrees, Timmins turned stripping, joining infamous male revue troupe Chippendale’s before deciding to start his own Las Vegas club, Men of the Strip. But he’s trying to make it rain bills higher than one dollar these days, as he’s just signed a deal with an unknown network to turn Men on the Strip into a hit show. As Timmons told Billboard recently, the plan is to debut the, uh, fruits of his labour to the public next spring, around the same time Men of the Strip opens its doors in Sin City.

Slightly racy show content aside, it’s safe to say Timmons just made a smart business move. The 98 Degrees boys have really done well on primetime. Aside from Nick, they do have to cherish the success of Drew Lachey, who has appeared on Dancing With the Stars twice, winning the Mirrorball once (Justin Jeffre, meanwhile, has stayed out of the spotlight, pursuing Ohio politics until joining the boys for a reunion tour this summer). Plus, the small screen has become a bit of a safe haven for ex-boy banders, both in terms of scripted and reality programming.

As we anxiously await a peek at Timmons’ primetime package, let’s explore the varying degrees of success he could achieve by looking at some singing and dancing dudes of DVR passes past and present.

PRETTY COOL (JC Chasez, Nick Carter)

Listen, the man responsible for the most underappreciated NSYNC solo project known to man (Schizophrenic) has also been pretty cool in the right way, showing off his swagger whenever the camera and/or mic pulled away from Justin Timberlake.” But his efforts to expand into TV have gotten a fairly chilly reception. Basically, he spent a few years as a judge on Randy Jackson Presents America’s Next Dance Crew and did guest spots onLas Vegas and Ghost Whisperer.

BSB boy Carter, on the other hand, has simply been seen on the reality show Meet the Carters, which also featured his less successful, but equally “Crush”-worthy bro Aaron. He gets extra points for his cameo on 8 Simple Rules, but loses them immediately for having been on the new 90210.

If Timmons wants to move above this, hes got to have some mild success with this Men on the Strip show. It could be as easy as getting attached to a network that appreciates fallen ’90s stars like a VH1 or E!

LUKEWARM (Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Shaun Stockman)

As for JC’s bandmate Lance, while he stayed off screen for a while after the less-than-heated reaction to his role in On the Line, his primetime resume has gotten beefy in recent years, with him grabbing guest spots on Cupcake Wars, Gravity Falls and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and competing, much like Drew Lachey, on Dancing With the Stars. He’s also in the midst of producing some new TV pilots, including a comedy alongside SNL‘s Cheri Oteri.

Meanwhile, fellow NSYNC-er Fatone has had some previous success with reality TV. After the show that gave him his first big TV role, My Big Fat Greek Life, got cancelled, he hosted The Singing Bee for both the US and Australia. He then became the announcer for the Steve Harvey years of Family Feud and got his own cooking show called My Family Recipe Rocks. With that latter series under his belt, he nabbed a part as a contestant on an “all-star” version of Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off. He didn’t win, but he did get some money for charity and is currently playing the Bob Barker role for Las Vegas’s Price is Right Live!

Moving on to Stockman, whom you may recall as one of the Boys II Men. Although he has an ongoing gig as a judge on The Sing-Off, that’s all he’s really done on TV thus far. One more project and I’d say he could move up a degree. I’d say the same for Timmons.

HOT (Nick Lachey) 

The elder Lachey really got his first taste of solo stardom when he allowed MTV cameras to follow him and then-wife Jessica Simpson for the show Newlyweds back in 2003. After some fun guest roles on One Tree Hill, Charmed and American Dreams, Lachey NBC acapella singing competition series The Sing-Off a few years back, which would lead to gigs heading up Stars Earn Stripes and The Winner Is. He shows no signs of stopping either, especially with his wifey, former ET and TRL correspondent Vanessa Minnillo also in the biz (she’s currently playing one of the ladies of Dads).

Timmons has a long way to go if he wants to get here. But he does have Lachey’s personal number and can always ask him for career advice, right?

SUPER HOT (Justin Timberlake)

JT doesn’t do TV all the time, but when he does, he does it up! The man’s in the SNL Five-Timers Club for a reason, having brought us some of the most memorable skits of recent years (see: “Dick in a Box,” “The Barry Gibb Talk Show” and anything with that singing mascot guy who brought us all down to Omeletteville). He’s returning to show again later this month too, playing “performer” to pal Jimmy Fallon “host” (let’s face — these two are co-hosting).

SIZZLING (The Donnie Wahlberg)

No other boy bander can come near Donnie D on TV. Not only does the dude have a recurring role on a high-rated CBS show (Blue Bloods), he’s constantly making the talk-show rounds, either to promote New Kids on the Block’s latest reunion tour effort or to just be his charming self. He’s even attached himself to another TV star – The View‘s Jenny McCarthy — and has plans to produce a show about his family burger biz (Wahlburgers) alongside his bro Mark (he’s previously done behind-the-scenes stuff for Boston’s Finest).

It’s doubtful that Timmons can get to this stage ever, but if he tries, I bet he could get Donnie, a known ham with a hard bod for miles, to go sans shirt for an episode. You know, in the sake of boy-bander-turned-TV-star solidarity.

98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons Inks Deal for Reality Show About Male 'Strip' Show

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By Gary Graff, Detroit

And in case you thought 98 Degrees was done. Nope: "We're considering going out on tour next summer, maybe with a different sort of package or lineup"

After this summer's Package Tour with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons has switched his focus to a, er, different kind of package.

The singer's new endeavor is Men of the Strip, a partnership with choreographer Glenn Douglas Packard that came to Timmons after he hosted a show for Chippendales in Las Vegas. He's taken a troupe of male dancers on the road, combining his music with their movements for what he calls "a grown-up boy band" that's appealing to a lot of the original 98 Degrees crowd. 

"It basically has the same fan base, the same fans that came and saw us and New Kids and Boyz II Men this summer." But lest the feint of heart worry, Timmons promises that "it's pretty vanilla, really. It's edgy, but mostly the same thing 98 Degrees does -- sing, dance, take their shirts off. They're all hams, very charismatic. The fans really love it." 

And that's especially true when Timmons' own shirt comes off. 

"Yeah, I do the obligatory 'take your shirt off,' but it's nothing like these other guys," says Timmons, who's performing a new single, "Satellite," as part of the shows. "In 98 Degrees, we're in shape, but these guys are all like 6-2 and ripped to the kills. I try to avoid taking my shirt off when I can get away with it, just to avoid the comparison."

Timmons' Men of the Strip has a pair of shows slated for mid-December, but his plans for the concept include a TV reality show and a full-time revue in Las Vegas, where Timmons resides with his family. 

"We've finished a deal with a network, though I can't say which one yet," he says. "We think we're going to start airing in the spring, and that's when we'll launch the show full-time just in Las Vegas. Right now we're touring and filming the process. These guys have never done anything like this before. It's the first time they've gotten on the road in a tour bus, so they're getting acclimated to the craziness of the entertainment business before we put this into residency in the spring."

Timmons says things aren't quite as certain for 98 Degrees at the moment. Though the quartet reunited for the Package Tour and released its first studio album, "2.0," in more than a decade earlier this year, a next step has yet to be determined. 

"We had such a blast being out on the Package Tour; we never officially ended the right way, so it was a good way to wrap our career together," Timmons says. But it may not be as final as that. 

"We had so much fun this summer that we're considering going out on tour next summer, maybe with a different sort of package or lineup. But we'll see. Nothing's for sure yet."

Celebrity Parents Share Gratitude

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• Nick Lachey:

Multi-platinum recording artist and TV personality Nick Lachey is counting his blessings this holiday season.

“I am mostly thankful for my immediate and extended family,” Nick tells Celebrity Baby Scoop of his happy family life with Vanessa Lachey and their 1-year-old son Camden.

“We are all happy and healthy, which I thank God for,” he adds. “I am also thankful for having my little boy now. This time last year, he was still pretty new at just two-months-old. A year later, it’s amazing to see what kind of boy he is turning into and what he is learning. He’s a lot of fun right now. It’s a great age—we can wrestle and I can teach him stuff. I am thankful for my family, for my wife, for my son, and all the love and joy they bring to my world.”

Nick Lachey: Camden has given me great perspective and patience

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BY SHANNAH HENDERSON

Celebritybabyscoop.com

Multi-platinum recording artist and TV personality Nick Lachey is gearing up for the fourth season of NBC's "The Sing-Off," which premieres at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 9. The crooner and father-of-one, to son Camden, 1, also is currently enjoying a "great response" to his latest album, "A Father's Lullaby."

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/25/4648680/celebrity-baby-scoop-nick-lachey.html#storylink=cpy

Nick opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about what it is like to host "The Sing-Off," why "A Father's Lullaby" "was a really appropriate project" for his fan-base, and how it is a "very sweet, tender and personal moment" when he puts Camden down to sleep. He also reveals that he is working on another album.

Q: Are you excited about the new season of The Sing-Off? How has the show changed or evolved in your opinion?

A: "I am very excited about it! I am ecstatic that it's coming back. We've already taped all of the episodes, so I can say 100 percent honestly that it is a great season with a great line-up and fantastic groups. It's such a fun show, especially around the holidays. It is an awesome show to be a part of, because I am such big fan of a cappella music myself and I know there are so many others out there who love a cappella music. It's a really energizing show. It's a great atmosphere, as you're around so many people who love what they do and love singing.

"In regard to how the show has evolved, I think the talent of the groups has gotten better each and every season. I think that it is, in part, attributed to the success of the show; other a cappella groups out there are seeing the show and the success of groups like Pentatonix, who are touring Europe right now and have gone on to do big things. When the show is done well, I think it becomes easier for producers to find great talent out there. I think the evolution of the talent is the biggest thing. Also, we have our first-ever country group in the show this next season, so I think the style of a cappella has evolved a little as well, which is exciting. It's gotten bigger and better every season, and season four is no exception."

Q: Are you good at predicting who will be successful and who will not? What are some of the indicators?

A: "I am pretty hit or miss. (laughs) In the second season, I picked a group that was eliminated in the first episode. I was not good in that season, but I did pick Pentatonix in season three and I also successfully picked the season four winners as well. I can't say who they are right now, but I guess I am two for three. (laughs)

"The indicators are groups that have a great sound and chemistry right out of the gate. Really, the point of the show is to help these groups evolve. It is hard to tell sometimes, because a group that you think doesn't have great chemistry could really discover that chemistry as they go through the process of the show. It's kind of tough to tell, but you can get a feel of the groups that have an unmistakable chemistry and blend. When you find that and hone into it, it's tough to beat. I always look to the groups who seem like they have multiple voices singing as one voice. If you can hear that and find that, then that is really what a cappella is all about."

Q: How has your lullaby album, A Father's Lullaby, been received? What has the feedback been?

A: "'A Father's Lullaby' has been really well received, most importantly by Camden himself. I made the CD as a tribute to him and it's been a special project that him and I share together. He liked it, which is the most important thing. It's also been really well received by my fans who grew up with me and are now at the age where they're starting to have families of their own. It seemed like a really appropriate project for my fan base and I've gotten great feedback. For example, people are tweeting pictures of their babies sleeping to the album, which is always fun to see. There has been a great response from the fans."

Q: It's a great holiday gift for new dads! Please share with all the dads (and moms shopping for dad) out there how this will help them bond with their little bundle of joy.

NL: "I found out last year that for any new parent, one of the most important parts of the day is when your baby is sleeping. (laughs) Aside from being able to get stuff done and get some peace of mind, sleep is such an important part of the baby's development early on. So the album is my contribution to helping babies fall asleep. Lullabies have been around for forever and have always been a special part of bonding with your baby as they fall asleep. On my album, there are classic lullabies that people will recognize, which have been sung for generations and generations. There are also new, original lullabies that I wrote for Camden. The CD features a mixture of both, but all in the lullaby-arena. The songs are designed to help babies go to sleep, so that parents can have a little break."

Q: When we last spoke, you mentioned that you sing to Camden. Do you still sing to him? Does he sing with you now?

A: "Every day! I literally just put him down for a nap about an hour ago. I sing 'Sleepy Eyes' to him every day before he naps and before he sleeps at night. That is one of the songs I wrote for him on the album, and it has become our 'go-to-bed' song. When he hears me start singing that one, he knows it's time to shut it down. That is our special little moment together.

"In regard to how he responds to my singing, he likes to kiss me in the middle of it. It is as sweet as can be, but I can't help but to laugh. (laughs) He will reach out and give me a kiss. He used to just grab my face when I'd sing to him. He doesn't sing with me yet, but one day we will do a little duet. It's a very sweet, tender, and personal moment when you're with your baby and putting him down. I get a kick out of it every time, and it is a very special moment that I look forward to for sure."

Q: Has fatherhood changed you? Have you learned anything about yourself?

A: "Fatherhood has changed me in every way; for every decision and situation I encounter in my life, I now have to consider and I want to consider my child. Your child really becomes the most important thing in your world and in your life. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Every time I am away I am dying to get home. It's the one thing that motivates and drives everything else in your life. It's amazing to watch your child learn, as something new happens every day and your child evolves and changes. It's hard to put into words how much fatherhood really affects everything.

"I've learned a great amount of patience. I think you do have a lot of patience. For example, my kid can be trying something and he has his own process. As adults, we sometimes expect our children to go with our flow, but it doesn't always work that way. You have to have patience with everything. You also find yourself having a lot of fun doing stuff that would normally drive you nuts. When it's your child, you have fun with it and it's an experience. You cherish every second of it. Camden has given me great perspective and patience, and he certainly taught me another dimension of love that I've never experienced before. I've learned quite a bit."

Q: Any plans for baby number 2?

A: "We definitely want another baby, at least one more child. There is no immediate plan for it, as it's kind of one of those things that can pop up at any time. All I can say is that we definitely do want more kids. We love being parents and want a family of more than one child. We will see where that goes, but right now we are just enjoying Camden and everything that comes along with him. I don't want to rob him of any of our attention by bringing another one in too quick."

Q: How do you and Vanessa find time for each other amongst busy careers and diaper changes?

A: "I think you just have to plan it. It's one of those things where if you are not careful, your whole life can be consumed by having a child. There is something important about remembering what got you there, remembering your relationship and focusing on it. We make it a point to have at least one night a week to go out to dinner, to a movie, or to a concert to bring it back to our relationship. It's important to have good babysitters around who can help relieve you when you need a little break."

Q: What's up next for you?

A: "Right now, I am just getting ready for 'The Sing-Off' and the lullaby album. I am also working on another album called 'The Soundtrack To My Life,' which is comprised of songs that are based on movies that I grew up with. They are soundtrack songs that were benchmarks in my life. I am in the middle of finishing that up. Next year, who knows? I am not sure if 98 Degrees will do another run next summer, and maybe I will do solo music or host a TV show. One of the great things about my career is that it evolves and there are a lot of different aspects to it. I am not really sure where the journey is going to take me."

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/11/25/4648680/celebrity-baby-scoop-nick-lachey.html#storylink=cpy

THE SING-OFF TEN GROUPS COMPETE

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Written by TV Grapevine

Begins Monday, December 9 at 9/8c on NBC

THIS AWESOME CHRISTMAS SEASONAL CLASSIC RETURNS WITH TEN GROUPS COMPETING FOR THE A CAPPELLA CROWN ON THE FOURTH SEASON OF ‘THE SING-OFF’

Musical Competition Series Returns Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET/PT) with Celebrity Judges Jewel, Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Host Nick Lachey

NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey, returns for its fourth season Monday, Dec. 9 (9-11 p.m. ET).

The season will run for seven episodes, with the two-hour finale set for Monday, Dec. 23 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT). The groups, who are competing for the prize of $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract, will perform for celebrity judges Jewel (“Two Hearts Breaking” “Ring of Fire”) Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men).

The 10 groups that will vie to be the best a cappella group in the country were revealed today. The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. They are:

ACOUSTIKATS (Lexington, KY): This collegiate group has been serenading sorority girls all over the University of Kentucky campus, but now it’s their time to make it on the big stage. With their southern charm they hope to win over America’s hearts.

CALLE SOL (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico): From the island of Puerto Rico, this group of six professional musicians has only been together for a few short months. Their Latin style is sure to bring a flare to the competition.

ELEMENT (New York City): This all-female group brings a New York attitude to the stage. They all work day jobs and pursue their showbiz dreams in the concrete jungle during their time off. These powerful female voices hope to bring a buzz to the a cappella world.  

THE FILHARMONIC (Los Angeles): This locally based group is made up of male Filipino singers. Their knack for ’90s R&B, mixed with their Filipino culture, is sure to bring a new twist to the music of the past.

HOME FREE (Minneapolis): This all-male group has already been on the road touring the country and the transcontinental journeys have made them all very close. Their years of performance experience add to their refreshing country sound.

THE PRINCETON FOOTNOTES (Princeton, N.J.): A 50-year-old tradition is holding strong with this Ivy League group — classically trained, perfectly polished and technically great. Although they stick to tradition, they also like to mix a modern flair.

STREET CORNER RENAISSANCE (Los Angeles): This soulful group put aside their dreams of becoming musicians to raise their families. Now it’s time to shine. Their roots are in doo-wop and they strive to pay homage to this classic sound.

TEN (Dallas): Many of these eclectic artists have experienced traveling with professionals in well-known bands. Their group leader brought them together. The gospel influence and impressive backgrounds produce a perfected sound.

VOCAL RUSH (Oakland, CA): The youngest group in the competition is a force to be reckoned with. They have won the high school a cappella groups’ international championship two years in a row. Their pop and R&B influence are sure to put a spin on modern chart-topping hits.

VOICEPLAY (Orlando, FL): These three best friends have been together since high school and expanded their group to six, added the influence of a female voice. They toured the U.S. and ended up back in Orlando performing before auditioning for “The Sing-Off.” This pop-inspired group blends the male and female voices perfectly.

Music from season four of “The Sing-Off” will be available on iTunes the day of each telecast.

“The Sing-Off” scours the country in search of the best a cappella groups who will perform chart-topping songs in weekly competition. The groups will be competing for America’s vote and a chance to walk away with the ultimate prize: A Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.

A new twist will be added this season. At the end of every show, the bottom two groups decided by the judges will face off in an Ultimate Sing Off, trying to knock their opponent out of the competition with the power of only their voices. At the end of the night, one group will be eliminated from the competition. One song, two teams, with their dreams on the line.

“The Sing-Off” is produced by One Three Media (a Hearst/Mark Burnett company) along with Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Mark Burnett (NBC’s “The Voice”), Deb Newmyer, Sam Weisman and Jane Mun are executive producers.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from NBC shows, please visit NBC.com’s official show site: http://www.nbc.com/shows/.

Please follow us on http://www.facebook.com/TheSingOff and at http://www.twitter.com/thesingoff

Nick Lachey: Camden Has Given Me Great Perspective And Patience

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BY SHANNAH HENDERSON

Multi-platinum recording artist and TV personality Nick Lachey is gearing up for the fourth season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, which premieres December 9th at 9:00pm ET/PT. The crooner and father-of-one, to son Camden, 1, is also currently enjoying a “great response” to his latest album, A Father’s Lullaby.

Nick opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about what it is like to host The Sing-Off, why A Father’s Lullaby “was a really appropriate project” for his fan-base, and how it is a “very sweet, tender, and personal moment” when he puts Camden down to sleep. He also reveals that he is working on another album!

CBS: Are you excited about the new season of The Sing-Off?  How has the show changed or evolved in your opinion?

NL: “I am very excited about it! I am ecstatic that it’s coming back. We’ve already taped all of the episodes, so I can say 100% honestly that it is a great season with a great line-up and fantastic groups. It’s such a fun show, especially around the holidays. It is an awesome show to be a part of, because I am such big fan of a cappella music myself and I know there are so many others out there who love a cappella music. It’s a really energizing show. It’s a great atmosphere, as you’re around so many people who love what they do and love singing.

In regard to how the show has evolved, I think the talent of the groups has gotten better each and every season. I think that it is, in part, attributed to the success of the show; other a cappella groups out there are seeing the show and the success of groups like Pentatonix, who are touring Europe right now and have gone on to do big things. When the show is done well, I think it becomes easier for producers to find great talent out there. I think the evolution of the talent is the biggest thing. Also, we have our first-ever country group in the show this next season, so I think the style of a cappella has evolved a little as well, which is exciting. It’s gotten bigger and better every season, and season four is no exception.” 

CBS: Are you good at predicting who will be successful and who will not? What are some of the indicators?

NL: “I am pretty hit or miss. [laughs] In the second season, I picked a group that was eliminated in the first episode. I was not good in that season, but I did pick Pentatonix in season three and I also successfully picked the season four winners as well. I can’t say who they are right now, but I guess I am two for three. [laughs]

The indicators are groups that have a great sound and chemistry right out of the gate. Really, the point of the show is to help these groups evolve. It is hard to tell sometimes, because a group that you think doesn’t have great chemistry could really discover that chemistry as they go through the process of the show. It’s kind of tough to tell, but you can get a feel of the groups that have an unmistakable chemistry and blend. When you find that and hone into it, it’s tough to beat. I always look to the groups who seem like they have multiple voices singing as one voice. If you can hear that and find that, then that is really what a cappella is all about.” 

CBS: How has your lullaby album, A Father’s Lullaby, been received?  What has the feedback been?

NL: “A Father’s Lullaby has been really well received, most importantly by Camden himself. I made the CD as a tribute to him and it’s been a special project that him and I share together. He liked it, which is the most important thing. It’s also been really well received by my fans who grew up with me and are now at the age where they’re starting to have families of their own. It seemed like a really appropriate project for my fan base and I’ve gotten great feedback. For example, people are tweeting pictures of their babies sleeping to the album, which is always fun to see. There has been a great response from the fans.”

CBS: It’s a great holiday gift for new dads!  Please share with all the dads (and moms shopping for dad) out there how this will help them bond with their little bundle of joy.

NL: “I found out last year that for any new parent, one of the most important parts of the day is when your baby is sleeping. [laughs] Aside from being able to get stuff done and get some peace of mind, sleep is such an important part of the baby’s development early on. So the album is my contribution to helping babies fall asleep. Lullabies have been around for forever and have always been a special part of bonding with your baby as they fall asleep. On my album, there are classic lullabies that people will recognize, which have been sung for generations and generations. There are also new, original lullabies that I wrote for Camden. The CD features a mixture of both, but all in the lullaby-arena.  The songs are designed to help babies go to sleep, so that parents can have a little break.”

CBS: When we last spoke, you mentioned that you sing to Camden.  Do you still sing to him?  Does he sing with you now?

NL: “Every day! I literally just put him down for a nap about an hour ago. I sing ‘Sleepy Eyes’ to him every day before he naps and before he sleeps at night. That is one of the songs I wrote for him on the album, and it has become our ‘go-to-bed’ song. When he hears me start singing that one, he knows it’s time to shut it down. That is our special little moment together.

In regard to how he responds to my singing, he likes to kiss me in the middle of it. It is as sweet as can be, but I can’t help but to laugh. [laughs] He will reach out and give me a kiss. He used to just grab my face when I’d sing to him. He doesn’t sing with me yet, but one day we will do a little duet. It’s a very sweet, tender, and personal moment when you’re with your baby and putting him down. I get a kick out of it every time, and it is a very special moment that I look forward to for sure.”

CBS: Has fatherhood changed you?  Have you learned anything about yourself?

NL: “Fatherhood has changed me in every way; for every decision and situation I encounter in my life, I now have to consider and I want to consider my child. Your child really becomes the most important thing in your world and in your life. Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every time I am away I am dying to get home. It’s the one thing that motivates and drives everything else in your life. It’s amazing to watch your child learn, as something new happens every day and your child evolves and changes. It’s hard to put into words how much fatherhood really affects everything.

I’ve learned a great amount of patience. I think you do have a lot of patience. For example, my kid can be trying something and he has his own process. As adults, we sometimes expect our children to go with our flow, but it doesn’t always work that way. You have to have patience with everything. You also find yourself having a lot of fun doing stuff that would normally drive you nuts. When it’s your child, you have fun with it and it’s an experience. You cherish every second of it. Camden has given me great perspective and patience, and he certainly taught me another dimension of love that I’ve never experienced before. I’ve learned quite a bit.”

CBS: Any plans for baby number 2?

NL: “We definitely want another baby, at least one more child. There is no immediate plan for it, as it’s kind of one of those things that can pop up at any time. All I can say is that we definitely do want more kids. We love being parents and want a family of more than one child. We will see where that goes, but right now we are just enjoying Camden and everything that comes along with him. I don’t want to rob him of any of our attention by bringing another one in too quick.”

CBS: How do you and Vanessa find time for each other amongst busy careers and diaper changes?  

NL: “I think you just have to plan it. It’s one of those things where if you are not careful, your whole life can be consumed by having a child. There is something important about remembering what got you there, remembering your relationship and focusing on it. We make it a point to have at least one night a week to go out to dinner, to a movie, or to a concert to bring it back to our relationship. It’s important to have good babysitters around who can help relieve you when you need a little break.”

CBS: What’s up next for you?

NL: “Right now, I am just getting ready for The Sing-Off and the lullaby album. I am also working on another album called The Soundtrack To My Life, which is comprised of songs that are based on movies that I grew up with. They are soundtrack songs that were benchmarks in my life. I am in the middle of finishing that up. Next year, who knows? I am not sure if 98 Degrees will do another run next summer, and maybe I will do solo music or host a TV show. One of the great things about my career is that it evolves and there are a lot of different aspects to it. I am not really sure where the journey is going to take me.”