Nick Lachey *Judges Choice* The Sing-Off Clips 12-19-13

Pat Benatar, Pentatonix, 98 Degrees Added to 'The Sing-Off' Finale

SOURCE
By Ashley Lee,

Grab your pitch pipes -- "The Sing-Off" has announced the lineup for its two-hour finale on Monday night.

Special guests Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will sing their 1984 hit duet  “We Belong," and season three winners Pentatonix will also return to the stage they conquered in 2011.

Additionally, "Sing-Off" host Nick Lachey will be joined by his fellow 98 Degrees members Drew Lachey, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons to perform “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” from their 1999 holiday album, This Christmas, and also serenades the season's new judgeJewel into a duet of “It Had to Be You."

And following Sing-Off tradition, the final episode also pairs each judge with one of the remaining a cappella groups in the competition: Jewel will perform with professional country group Home Free,Shawn Stockman will take the stage with gospel-infused collective Ten, and Ben Foldswill join performing arts high school group Vocal Rush onstage.

All seven previously eliminated groups -- The Filharmonic, VoicePlay, acoUstiKats, Element, Calle Sol, Street Corner Renaissance and The Princeton Footnotes -- will return to perform as well.

The final night of the revived a cappella competition will feature holiday songs as part of its set list -- an element sorely missed during season three's finale. The episode will crown a season four winner, rewarded with a $100,000 prize and a Sony Music recording contract -- plus the top spot on The Sing-Off's first tour.

Exclusive Sing-Off Sneak Peek: Nick Lachey and Jewel Duet (and Dance!) to "It Had to Be You"

SOURCE




Thanks to her impressive musical knowledge and her easygoing charm, Jewel has had no trouble fitting in on this season of The Sing-Off.

But it seems no one has taken to Season 4's new addition more than host Nick Lachey

In this exclusive sneak peek from Monday's season finale (8/7c, NBC), Lachey reflects on their "magical season together" before busting into a swoon-worthy performance of "It Had to Be You." And Jewel is so moved by his efforts, she takes the stage and makes it a duet!

To hear what kind words Jewel had for Lachey and his dimples, and to see their impressive dance moves, check out the heartwarming clip

NICK LACHEY TALKS WITH LOCAL 2 ABOUT 'SING OFF' PREMIERE - 12/9

The Sing-Off Season 4 - Shawn Stockman, Ben Folds, Jewel & Nick Lachey

On Set of "The Sing Off"

The Sing Off: Nick Lachey, Jewel, Ben Folds, and Shawn Stockman Red Carpet Interview

The Sing-Off Nick Lachey Interviewed

SOURCE
Sammi's Interviews

The Sing-Off returns tonight on and to celebrate, TVGrapevine is sharing an excerpt from the conference call Nick Lachey did with the media. He talked about the show, 98 Degrees and more.

I wanted you to reflect on just the general idea of a cappella singing and so forth. It’s kind of how it’s related to you in the past. Talk a little bit about when you were high school, what you learned there and particularly that Flight of the Bubble Bee that you won Clash of the Choirs with, you know, how you learned that in high school and kind of how that a cappella helped you get a record deal in the first place.

Nick: Yes well as you alluded to, I mean a cappella singing has meant a great deal to me throughout my life and career. It’s why the show is so special for me to be a part of. I first started singing a cappella in high school. I went to a performing arts school and spent my summers working at an amusement part in Cincinnati called King’s Island. I was in a barbershop quartet, so I started off singing a cappella barbershop music, walking around the park and singing to guests and what not.

And then continued to sing a cappella different groups, ultimately with 98 Degrees. And when we put our demo together we put two different a cappella songs on the demo. And in our audition for Motown records, Andre Harrell, the president at the time, asked us to sing a cappella in his office and we sang a Boyz II Men medley a cappella that we had - you know, we had worked up. And that’s what kind of convinced him to sign us. He signed us on the spot. And so that’s how we really got our start in the music business. So a cappella singing is very, very meaningful to me. And even kind of a sub plot of that is, to be able to be on the show Shawn from Boyz II Men, having sung a Boyz II Men medley to get signed to Motown, it’s just kind of a surreal moment for me to be a part of this show and be a part of it with Shawn.

So it’s given a lot to me and in some kind of way this is my way of giving back to the genre of a cappella. I think it takes incredible talent to do; incredible talent to pull off. Oftentimes people I think take it for granted and don’t realize how hard it is to do, which is why I feel like The Sing-Off is so special. And I think there are so many people out there that are responding to it. I mean a cappella is kind of going through a resurgence; a renaissance if you will. And with all the attention that The Sing-Off has brought to it and success like Pentatonix is having now. I mean their album just debuted in the top ten on the top 200.

The success that they’ve brought to the genre. Movies like Perfect Pitch, I think there’s just such a passion right now out there for a cappella music. So very proud to be a part of The Sing-Off. Very proud of Pentatonix and all the success that they’ve had, and very also proud to announce that they’re going to be performing on our season finale this year on December 23. So obviously we’re all very proud of them here at the show and all the success that they’ve had since winning season three, and very excited to have them back this season.
 

You went back on the road with 98 Degrees this year. Was that fun and is it interesting to balance your musical and TV careers now?
Nick: It was a lot of fun. First of all to get back together with those guys after more than a decade, you know, off and be able to go on the road with you know, NewKids on the Block, and Boyz II Men and be a part of a sold out arena tour was very, very special and a great way back and experience performing with those guys again. So, that was fantastic. And yes, to balance the two, obviously it’s all about scheduling. Shawn and I with Boyz II Men were both on the road as part of the package tour.

And literally we finished our last concert in Indianapolis on August 4, and started The Sing-Off August 5. So we went right from one into the other. But when you’re doing stuff that you’re passionate about and it’s exciting to you then it’s easy to rally and kind of summon the energy to move from one to the other. So you know I feel very honored and blessed to be able to do both. I know Shawn would say the same thing. So yes, it’s been a great year; an exciting year. The tour was great and now obviously very, very happy and proud to be a part of season four of The Sing-Off.

Did it kind of come as a surprise to you when it did come back in 2013? Had you kind of thought maybe it was done, and kind of what was your reaction when it did come back? And second of all, it’s been indifferent forms. One year it was a long form and lasted 11 weeks. This time it’s going to be very quick and it’s going to be resolved with 15 days of viewing time. So tell us which you prefer, that quick format where we get the winners so quick with a longer format, and also tell us about the missing year. Were you surprised when it came back?
Nick: Yes, I mean I think that we all - we’re very cautiously optimistic that the show would come back. It was put on the back burner there for a moment. And I really have to give a lot of credit to the very passionate fans of the show out there for really petitioning and clamoring for it to come back. So obviously when we all got the call that it was coming back to the air, we were ecstatic. We all do the show because we love the genre of a cappella and love the show and really believe in it. 

So, for those of us you have been - Shawn and I who had been with the show from the beginning, it was a very, very welcome call to hear that we were coming back for season four. Personally I think the show worked great in the holiday season. I think we saw that in season two. It’s just such a feel good show and feel good music. It’s the time of year when families are really in the mood to sit down together and watch a great family show, and that’s frankly with The Sing-Off is. So personally I’m a fan of the holiday scheduling which we have again this year.

And also I’m very excited about you get all the shows kind of in a short period of time. It keeps people’s interest really honed in on the groups and their favorite groups. And then you get the winner announced right there at the end of it. So personally I think this schedule works great for the show, and excited to see excited NBC put it back there in the holiday season.

Now a cappella is obviously big in your life. Is that something that you’re bringing into your home? Are you and Vanessa singing to your little one now? Does he have a favorite song; anything like that?
Nick: Well music in general is big in our home. You know obviously I’m a musician and my wife is a passionate lover of music, I mean working in TV for so many years. And so there’s constantly music on in our house and yes, we sing to Camden every time we put him down for a nap or put him down for the night. So yes, technically there is a little a cappella happening in our house every day. It’s usually ion the lullaby form, but it is happening every day.

So now that the format is back to the holiday condensed schedule, I remember that the first two seasons had a lot of Christmas carols or just holiday musical type numbers. Is that something that we can expect this season, and will you be participating again?
Nick: There really was not too much of a holiday theme in terms of the music involved in the show. You might see a little bit of that in the finale, because I think that’s kind of how it worked in years past as well. But for the most part it’s - these are songs that everyone will know, you know, from this year and year’s past, you know, some really creative themes like we’ve had in the past of chart toppers.

And we have a movie theme night and so some of the shows have themes that really give them a great kind or arc. But all in all, it is happening during the holiday season, but it’s not necessarily a holiday music themed show entirely. But still as I said earlier, it’s just such a feel good show, it really does lend itself to, you know, the holiday season. And one thing we have always had a lot of fun with is myself and the judges kind of being involved musically, performing with some of the groups. So, I can either confirm or deny that will happen, but if history is any indication, there’s a good chance you might see that.

Basically, it’s safe to say that any singer does a show like The Sing-Off, or The Voice, or Idol to turn it into a career afterwards. And we’ve come to realize that that exposure is pretty much not enough at this point. What do you think an artist can do after a show like this, with the exposure, to parlay it into a career?
Nick: Well yes, there’s certainly no guarantee for any of us in the music business anymore. It’s a tough, tough business. But I think the one great thing that does come out of a situation like The Sing-Off is the exposure. I mean you have the opportunity to perform in front of millions and millions of people. It gives you kind of an instant platform and instant fan base. There is a, I think, responsibility to build on that after the show is done.

And I think you’ve seen a group like Pentatonix do a great job of that. They’ve kind of taken the baton and run with it. They won season three and now they’ve parlayed that into millions and millions of YouTube hits. As I said earlier, their album that just came out last week debuted in the top ten of the top 200 on Billboard. For an a cappella group that’s - for any group that’s a huge accomplishment, but specifically for a cappella music that is a huge, huge win. And I give a lot of credit to those guys for first of all, their outstanding work ethic. I think no matter what you do in life you have to be willing to work hard at it. And you know even those of us who got signed to recorddeals conventionally there’s a tendency to think oh hey, we’ve made it, and that’s just not the case.

In 98 Degrees we knew that even back then, this is the first chapter in our journey. But you know you still have to - that’s really the beginning. You have to go from that point and continue to work as hard as you can. So I think that’s the biggest thing, you have to have incredible work ethic, use the opportunity and the platform that a show like The Sing-Off gives you, but you also have to take the responsibility to build on that. And certainly we’ve seen Pentatonix do a great job of that.

 I was wondering as host, how much do you get to interact with the groups? Have you been able to get to know them or do you get to mentor them at all? And do you have any specific anecdotes or favorite stories along those lines?
Nick: Well one of the cool things - and I should mention, we have a new production team in place on The Sing-Off this year. Mark Burnett came on board and took over the show, and he was just such a great kind of - had a fresh take on what the show should be and really infused some new energy into the show. And one of the things that was changed per Mark’s request was more interaction from both myself and the judges with the groups.

So you’ll see as the season progresses, all of us kind of taking a turn and mentoring and trying to give some guidance to the groups as they go through this journey. There’s a lot of information they’re trying to process and taking all the judge’s comments and trying to apply those to the next week or the next show’s performance.

And so it was a really cool opportunity for us to - we’ve all learned the hard way a lot of times in this business, some valuable lessons. And for us to be able to pass those along to these groups was a really cool - a really cool opportunity.

There was one group in particular that kind of reminded me of my own kind of past history and they come from a performing arts school in The Bay Area. So I had a soft spot in my heart for them coming from a performing arts high school myself. I really saw a lot of myself in them and so it was cool to be able to kind of pass along a little bit of knowledge and support. These are teenagers down here in LA on the big stage with a lot of very, very talented people. And to say they held their own is a gross understatement.

So I was very proud of them and very, you know, very thankful to have the opportunity to give some insight to them, and all the groups. It was just a great opportunity for us to interact with them and mentor them a little bit.

I wanted to know if you could talk a little bit about the Ultimate Sing Off which is a new twist that’s been added to the season.
Nick: Yes. Again, another cool new twist that you’ll see in season four. I mean I’ve always felt like hey, if you’re going to have a show called The Sing-Off, there should probably be a sing off, and that’s something that we added this season which I thought a great addition to the format. So basically you have the judges score all the groups throughout the night and your lowest two scoring groups then have to go into what we call the ultimate sing off where they duel head-to-head, performing the same song against one another. And not only is it great entertainment, and I have to tell you some of the best performances you’ll see in the season come during that ultimate sing off.

It’s a really neat moment in the show. But it frankly gives - you know we all have moment where we don’t give our best and we kind of lay an egg on stage. And it gives those groups a chance to redeem themselves for a bad performance. So it doesn’t necessarily take them out of the running of the entire competition. They have a chance to come back at the end of the show and prove that they still belong. And so then when the two low groups have the ultimate sing off, obviously the judges have to then decide on one of them to continue on and one of them to go home. But a really cool, dramatic moment at the end of the show.

Can you talk a little bit about the addition of Jewel this year?
Nick: Well Jewel is fantastic. I’ve known Jewel previous to us doing the show together, but I thought she was a perfect fit for The Sing-Off. She’s incredibly talented first of all. We all know that. But she’s so well spoken and so relatable.

I think what really struck me is how passionate and how caring she was about each and every group and each and every performer in the group. And she really gave her all in trying to nurture and walk them through this process. I just thought she was a fantastic addition, incredibly knowledgeable. Certainly not at all hard to look at from my vantage point on stage. She made my night better just sitting out there. So yes,

I can’t say enough wonderful things about Jewel. She was perfect for our show and we’re so happy to have here.

Now the three judges all come from very different backgrounds. Jewel obviously comes from folk-country. Ben is more rock, and Shawn is R&B. How do you think their diverse backgrounds helped to find the best in your groups?
Nick: Well I think their diversity is also reflected in the diversity of the groups on stage, so I think it’s very cool and important frankly to have judges who come from different sensibilities and have different musical backgrounds to your point.

But you know I think the one thing they do share in common is a love of a cappella and a real knowledge of a cappella. And so I think even though they may come from different angles they all have valuable insights that our groups really took to heart and tried to apply to what they were doing. So personally I think it’s the best thing that the show could have is you hate to see three - you know three R&B judges up there or three rock.

And I think the diversity of the judges is really a strength of what The Sing-Off is all about.

You mentioned mentoring the groups so I was just wondering what do you think is the most important piece of advice that you are able to give them or that you would give to young students in high school or college hoping to succeed in a cappella singing or just in the music industry in general.
Nick: Well I think I kind of alluded to it earlier, but I think it really frankly is hard work. You know I’ve said many times I’m not, you know, necessarily convinced that 98 Degrees was the most talented, you know, group out there, but we were certainly willing to work as hard if not harder, than any other group out there.

And there really is no replacement for that. Work ethic and your desire to go the extra mile, you know, that at times can really set you apart and give you an advantage. And all the groups in our show, I mean, it’s a lot of singing in a very condensed amount of time with a lot of pressure. I mean you’re on a national television stage and you’re singing against some of the most talented singers in the country, and you really have to be on your game.

And you have to work hard. And if you’re not willing to work hard you’re not going to do well on the show. That’s just a fact. And so I think that’s really true for any walk of life, but especially in the music business. It’s a cut throat business now more than ever and you have to do, you know, you have to do something to set yourself apart from the competition. And I think oftentimes, you know, a strong work ethic and going that extra mile can be the deciding factor.

 You were talking about working with Mark Burnett and his team taking over. Can you talk a little bit about what that change was like just on set with the creative team, as well as now that Pentatonix has won and is like you said, debuting at the top of the charts, etcetera, how is important is it to follow up their win, as well as the shows return, with another group that is commercially successful in pop culture and not just the a cappella world?
Nick: Yes. The first part of the question is you know Mark - I’ve had the opportunity to work with Mark on shows previously. And the one thing Mark brings to every single thing he does is the intense passion for a project. I mean he does not get involve with things he does not believe in. And we’re just lucky that he has a passion for our show and wanted to take on our show. And each and everything he does and every day he comes to work, he brings that passion with him.

And he doesn’t want anyone working on a project that doesn’t have that same passion and does, and it’s contagious. He’s determined that he’s going to have fun doing what he does every day, and he’s going to bring everything he’s got. And so that attitude and that work environment is contagious and we all fed off of it. It was a lot of fun. Obviously we’re here making a show and trying to make the best show we can. But at the end of the day this is something we all believe in and we all love to do and that passion and that love for it should be reflected in the way we do a show and it certainly was with Mark.

So I can’t say enough good things about he and his team and all the great attitude and energy they brought to the stage every time we went to tape. And the second part of your question, I think obviously we’re incredibly proud of Pentatonix as I said; incredibly happy to have them back, you know, on our finale this year. And I think any show, it’s a real validation to the show when a group wins the title so to speak and then goes on to have commercial success. I think that really validates, not only with a cappella music is about but also validates what The Sing-Off is about.

And so you know again, winning The Sing-Off is great, but the journey doesn’t end there, it really starts there. And I give a lot of credit and props to Pentatonix for really seeing that as the start of their journey and for really working their tails off to make the most of the opportunity that all the exposure gave to them. So I could not be more proud of them. I know them personally. I’ve seen them in concert, and I can safely say that they are the real deal. There is no weak link in that group and all the success that they’ve had and all the recognition they’ve gotten is truly deserved. And so yes, I hope the best for this season as well, that our season four winners will see the same opportunity and you know, take the baton and run with it and make the most of it.

 But the fact that they’ve set the bar at a certain place now, did that affect the judging at all do you think, from your perspective?
 

Nick: Well no, because every season is different. I think Pentatonix, you know, they were incredible in their own way. They really brought a sound to the show that we had never heard before. They pushed the edge of the envelope in ways that maybe none of us even thought was possible. Without sounding overly dramatic, they were just a really special group. That was season three; this is season four. All the groups are different and you can’t try and replicate what Pentatonix did. You have to create your own sound and bring your own definition of what a cappella means to you to the table. And I think all out groups in season four really did.

There wasn’t necessarily a Pentatonix type sound but there were incredible sounds from other groups. So you can’t try and be somebody else. You have to be yourself. I think that’s really important in our industry as well. And again, I think all the groups in season four really did a great job of creating their own identities.

I know you guys just went on tour this summer with 98 Degrees, and I’m wondering if you feel like you still have the "It" factor like you guys did back then, and why or why not?
Nick: Well of course, you’ve got to have the "It" factor. You can’t get out there on stage and perform in front of 18,000 screaming women if you don’t feel like you’ve got the "It" factor still. So we definitely did. We made an album we were very proud of and couldn’t have been more proud to be on stage each and every night with Boyz II Men, and New Kids on the Block, and certainly had a great time doing it. So, the music business has changed quite a bit since our last time on stage, but I know we all couldn’t be more proud of what we did this year, and all the things we’ve done throughout our career. We’ve been truly blessed to have a long, long career and to have a lot of success. So nothing but great memories and great moments this year and all throughout our career.

I was struck by when you were talking about the performing arts school in The Bay Area and so forth. So and just thinking these teenagers are going up against Princeton and so forth. We’re in a time when a lot of the schools cut back on arts entirely, and particularly they don’t have the performing art schools like you were able to go to. Talk a little bit more about that? Why is it important to have these performing arts programs in high school and why is it particularly good when some can have a performing arts high school?
Nick: Well I can speak for my experience you know specifically in that I know I would not be in this industry, and I wouldn’t have had the courage to jump in my car and drive from Cincinnati, Ohio to LA to sleep on the floor and try and get a record deal. And I mean the confidence that going to a performing arts school gave to me was really the thing that was able to get me to go for it. I think no matter what your passion is in life, being able to pursue that passion and nurture that passion and those talents at an early age, first of all it’s a real motivating in wanting to go to school every day. It gives you something to really look forward to. I know I never wanted to miss a choir practice because I loved what I was doing. I loved the guys I was singing with. So whether it’s football, baseball, lacrosse, drama, theatre, choir; whatever it is, it’s great to be able to have a place to express yourself, especially as a teenager, and nurture those talents and those interests. I’ve been a part of Save the Music with VH1 for a long, long time I’ve been on their Board because I really believe in it. It’s important to keep those programs alive and to keep the exposure there for young people to be able to expand and creatively express themselves. It’s a really powerful thing to be able to do and it’s a shame that we’re having to fight to keep that in. And look, I think the first part of your question talking about teenagers going up against college students and even older, those kids were so talented. I mean there’s no replacement for talent at whatever age. So, really proud of them and proud of all the groups for bringing it each and every night. And as I said earlier, you guys are going to see some great performances this season. I was really blown away and I know the judges were and I know America will be.

'The Sing Off' host Nick Lachey talks about love of a cappella as new season to debut

SOURCE
By RITA SHERROW

The host of NBC's "The Sing-Off" says its a way to give back to the genre that gave to him.

Nick Lachey has a passion for a cappella — singing without instrumental music — and so, too, it seems, does America.

Lachey is a member of the boy band 98 Degrees that got signed to its first recording contract after singing an a cappella medley in the office of the president of Motown Records.

Pentatonix, a group of five vocalists, won the third season of NBC's "The Sing-Off" and walked away with $200,000 and a recording contract with Sony. Its debut EP, "PTX Vol. 1," charted at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and has garnered millions of hits on YouTube with its covers. The group is touring, including a stop in Tulsa on Feb. 5 at Cain's Ballroom, and recently released the album "PTX Vol. 2."

And "Pitch Perfect," a film about a college a cappella competition, earned more than $113 million at the box office worldwide.

The season four debut of "The Sing-Off," NBC's a cappella singing competition, airs at 8 p.m. Monday on channel 2, cable 9, with Lachey as host.

"You know it's given a lot to me, and in some kind of way this is my way of giving back to the genre of a cappella," he said in a recent teleconference. The show's season finale is set for Dec. 23 with Pentatonix performing.

In this series, there will be no lip-synching, no backup bands and no safety net for the 10 groups competing for the top prize of cash and a recording contract.

"I think it takes incredible talent to pull it off," said Lachey, who reunited with 98 Degrees to produce a new album and toured last summer with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men. "Oftentimes, people, I think, take it for granted and don't realize how hard it is to do, which is why I feel 'The Sing-Off' is so special. ...

"I think there's such a passion right now out there for a cappella music."

Lachey said at first he didn't know if the series would return for another season, that it had been placed "on the back burner" for a moment.

"I really have to give a lot of credit to the very passionate fans of the show out there for really petitioning and clamoring for it to come back," he said. "So obviously when we got the call that it was coming back on air, we were ecstatic. We all love the genre of a cappella and love the show and really believe in it."

New this season will be a production team headed by Mark Burnett, and there will be more interaction between Lachey and the judges and the groups, he said. Recording artist Jewel joins the judges table alongside Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five) and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men), who are both returning.

"You'll see as the season progresses all of us kind of taking a turn and mentoring and trying to give some guidance to the groups as they go through this journey. ...

"It was a really cool opportunity for us. We've all learned the hard way — a lot of the time in this business — some valuable lessons. And for us to be able to pass those along to these groups was really cool."

There is also an actual sing-off with the two lowest-scoring groups dueling head-to-head performing the same song. At the end, one stays and one group is sent home.

Lachey had words of advice for those in the competition — and any potential singer, for that matter.

"Work ethic and your desire to go the extra mile can really set you apart and give you an advantage," he said. "On our show, there's a lot of singing in a very condensed amount of time with a lot of pressure.

"I mean, you're on a national television stage and you're singing against some of the most talented singers in the country, and you really have to be on your game.

"And you have to work hard. And if you're not willing to work hard, you're not going to do well on the show. That's just a fact.

"And I think that's true for any walk of life but especially in the music business.

"It's a cutthroat business now more than ever, and you have to do something to set yourself apart from the competition."

For Lachey, the pressure is off when he leaves the stage or the recording studio, but music is always a constant in his life, he said. It's something he and his family share every day.

He is married to Vanessa Minnillo Lachey, who plays Camilla on the TV show "Dads," and they have a son Camden, born September 2012.

"Music, in general, is big in our home," he said. "Obviously, I'm a musician, and my wife is a passionate lover of music. And so there's constantly music in our house — and, yes, we sing to Camden every time we put him down for a nap or put him down for the night. So technically, there's a little a cappella happening in our house every day.

"It's usually in lullaby form, but it is happening every day."

Lachey said he recorded a lullaby record for Camden, released this year. It's called "Father's Lullaby" and contains a song called "Sleepy Eyes."

"That one I kind of wrote while he was still in the womb," he said. "So that's the one I sing to him every day before he goes down. So whether he likes it or not, that's really the only one he gets served up, so he has to like it."

‘The Sing-Off’ Season 4 Recap – There’s only one Jonathan Groff, and it ain’t you

SOURCE
By: Jessica Rae
It’s time for Nick Lachey to hold our hands and guide us through this beautiful musical journey together. Or maybe he’ll be cussing out Justin Timberlake in his dressing room, who knows.

The Sing-Off Season 4 Recap December 9 2013

Great, we’re opening with a Fun cover. Just what the world needs. Something fresh and new. Ugh.

acoUstiKats…okay, so that’s REALLY how they spell it? It’s a huge pain to type (or say), and it looks stupid. Good going.
The team that seems the youngest, Vocal Rush, are singing “we are young” as clever stage direction. Are they like, fifteen? Is there an age restriction for this show? No? Okay, then I’m signing up the first (and best) toddler acapella group. The Tiny Tunes. UNLESS there’s copyright infringement stuff with ‘Tiny Toons.’

Now come the sexy girls, and you know that cause they’re in metallic cocktail dresses and holding sparklers, like some sorority cult. (They do rituals with candles while wearing sexy clothes, trust me, I was in one.) …I DO like their flapper dresses, though.

Home Free boys … one of you is wearing a pretentious scarf, and this does not bode well for your ability to not be annoying.

The judges are so amazing, that’s one thing that’s cool about this show. This is the age where celebs aren’t afraid to judge things, though. Back in 2001 they could only get Paula Abdul, you know what I mean? Now, you got Ben Folds, Jewel, and Shawn Stockman. I should despise Stockman’s red and white Barbershop blazer, and yet I find it charming. And I’m very hopeful that Jewel will be like the old Jewel, not the “sexy Venus razor spokesperson” that sold out. But her neon yellow dress worries me about which direction she’s gone…

I had a chance to talk with Nick Lachey, but here’s a question for you, what the hell do you ask a mildly relevant, aging popstar? I’d only want to ask inappropriate things like if he thinks he’ll ever become as powerful as Ryan Seacrest (do you ever think about how RICH he must be?), or if he knows how many babies Jessica Simpson has had now. (Cause, isn’t she ALWAYS pregnant now?)

Vocal Rush – “Bottom of the River”

They hope to represent Oakland as anything but a scary place with gangs. But THEY are a gang (of singers.)

NICK LACHEY HAS A BREAKING ANNOUNCEMENT, everyone needs to remember that there are no instruments on stage, just voices. Gee, CAN YOU DEFINE ACAPELLA FOR ME AGAIN IN FIFTEEN MINUTES IN CASE I FORGET?
Hilariously, my spellcheck refuses to recognize “acapella” as a word. Spellcheck is so judgmental, ugh.

Just when we thought we’d made it through the whole Carrie Underwood Sound of Music …thing, Kelly Clarkson is coming to do the same-but-different thing.

Home Free – “Cruise”

They popped out of cornfields. They only do country music. I like their sense of humor…and candor… These are guys ready to get PAID. …And these are the SCARF guys. Only one is wearing a scarf, but he’s wearing it over a VEST, so… it’s just awful. In fact, his hair is all… and… you know what? HEY DUDE, YOU ARE NOT JONATHAN GROFF SO STOP TRYING TO BE. I don’t think they have…whatever the technical term is for low tones…which is weird in a group of guys. (Except for the one dude who sings tenor in that freaky death low tone in the country rap.) It coulda gone either way for me, but based on this I don’t think I’m into this group.

“I think country music is just a white man’s R&B.” – Shawn Stockman

Princeton Footnotes – “I Knew You were Trouble”

They’re singing about champagne in their intro video. Lord. Be more prissy. TRY. Oh, you can’t? CAUSE, yea. They all seem like they’re trying too hard and lack talent. Oh, they’re throwing LOOSE LEAF PAPER FROM THE SECOND STORY. That’s always … uh. Okay, so here we go. Singing a Taylor Swift song is not going to do anything for their street cred. Especially if they can’t sing it well. To me? It sounds kind of jumbled. And since I’m a legit fan of TSWIZZLE, I’d like this to go better than it is. They’re technically sound, but I don’t see enough passion or soul. Oh, they shout-out to Ben. Cute, but also …tacky? Eh.
“You can tell these are smart Ivy League guys, cause they actually kissed Ben’s ass in the song.” – Nick Lachey

I zoned out and Jewel complimented Taylor Swift’s writing. Which… is disappointing to me because Jewel used to write really soulful, incredibly powerful, poetic lyrics. And Taylor mostly rhymes cute things.

Calle Sol – “Pon de Replay”

… Did anyone even like this song when it first came out? Damn. Still, these ladies have talented voices. I can groove to it. Yes, white girls can groove sometimes.

Corner Renaissance – “What Makes You Beautiful”

They have an AMAZING name. And I really love the idea of people singing on streetcorners in towns and stuff. It’s very Stars Hollow.

“You’re just singing…but you’re real honest.” – Ben Folds

UPDATE: Technology sucks and the second hour recap was lost to the ether. I have rage. Oh, I have A LOT OF RAGE about this.

Say hello to our jammin’ host and judges! #SingOff

Entertainment Weekly Hangout with the cast of 'The Sing-Off'

Nick Lachey, Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman's holiday must-haves

There's a reason that iReporter Chris Morrow is considered a superstar around these parts. Not only does she file sumptuous reports from all over the country - she also scores interviews with tip-top talent like the hosts of NBC's "The Sing Off."
Morrow asked Nick Lachey, Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman our favorite question at this time of year, "Finish the sentence, 'It's not the holidays without...'" and got answers ranging from eggnog to...well, you'll just have to watch. And drool. And go make chicken. (You'll see.)

An Unusual Day On The Set Of The Sing-Off

Nick Lachey Talks About the Inspirational Atmosphere of 'The Sing-Off' (VIDEO)

SOURCE

NBC's A cappella talent competition 'The Sing-Off' returns for a new season tonight at 9PM ET. Host Nick Lachey made an appearance on 'Today' (9AM ET on NBC) to talk about the judging changes the show has made this season, and the inspiring musical atmosphere the show fosters. It's so contagious that Lachey has been working in the studio on a new project of his own.

'The Sing-Off' will have a new judges this year, as Sara Bareilles joins Ben Folds and rest of the crew. It will also have a longer season, as its moving to 16 episodes. Lachey said the new judges bring a wealth of energy, and experience, to a set that's already brimming with its own unique vibe. The show has struck such a nerve that not only is it creating A cappella groups as part of the competition, but singers are starting to form their own groups to compete for a spot in the competition.

All the energy has inspired Lachey to get back to his own musical roots, which started in the boy-band 98 Degrees. He's venturing back into the studio to work on a new musical project of his own, and credited the show's electric atmosphere with inspiring him. It probably doesn't hurt that 'The Sing-Off' has allowed him to cultivate a new, rabid fan-base who make a perfect audience for his vocal talents.

The Sing-off premieres Good Squeaky clean Fun

SOURCE

NBC’s The Sing-Off premiered last night, in all of its cheesy glory and sans instruments, as host Nick Lachey will not allow you to forget. The little music competition show that could has been rewarded by NBC with afull season pick-up, which means one new judge, additional contenders to charm the family audience and larger prizes at stake. Yes, Nicole Scherzinger, known for her confounding statements that fall somewhere between criticism flirtation, has jumped ship to Fox’s The X Factor—check back on Thursday to see if that’s a good fit for her and her two friends—ushering in the Sara Bareilles Era, which puts the former UCLA a cappella performer alongside veteran judges Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman, thus adding a little bit more technical knowledge and legitimacy to the panel itself. Lachey is still Lachey, mind you, but did we get a fleeting sense that he’s feeling more relaxed the third time around? Guess the second televised marriage will do that to you.

To start things off, eight groups were broken into two groups of four to perform for the judges. Among them: three college groups, a family-sized brood from Wisconsin—enter your variousPartridge Family jokes now, but don’t forget to call Emma Stone!—and a super group consisting ofSing-Off contenders of yore, which really emphasizes both the love for the craft and the desperation that can take hold of humans when it comes to televised singing competitions. Yes, they’re all talented, but some of these ladies in Delilah will just not let their early exits go. The lack of versatility seemed to be the biggest threat to any group’s potential for success, as with each impending round they’ll be asked to perform genre-specific numbers instead of their familiar, foolproof set list. Of the two group’s sent home, The Cat’s Pajamas, the pride of Branson, Missouri by way of New Jersey, couldn’t make their ’60/’70s sound on Grand Funk Railroad’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” translate to the Sing-Off stage, despite playing 200 shows a year in their hometown. At least the people of the Midwest are experiencing no shortage of a cappella these days. The Fannin Family’s eight children will likely each have one stellar college entrance essay, but their approach to Selena Gomez’s “Who Says,” age-appropriate for 14-year-old lead Maria, seemed too safe, and the sibling group unwilling to ever rise above anything rated PG. Did we mention BYU’s Vocal Point changed Brian Setzer’s “can of ale” lyric to “ginger ale”? We know this is a family show, but c’mon. Live on the edge!

As four our favorites of the night? Afro-Blue, the co-ed group from Howard University (it’s always wise to give a shout-out to Diddy), whose jazzy take on “Put Your Records On” not only showcased lead singer Christie’s control, but also Reggie’s powerful bass which slowed down the Corrine Bailey Rae original to something truly soulful. Denver’s own Urban Method made a slightly overdramatic plea for stardom by explaining that they were “born to do this,” a sentiment truly unique to anyone ever making a run at stardom or doing anything they are truly passionate about in the history of the world. Rapper Mike explained his arduous quest to remove white MCs as the punchline of the music industry, one which makes him lose precious beauty sleep—so obviously he should be rewarded, right? For all the drama, the “rap-cappella” group delivered, making their rendition of Eminem and Rihanna’s “Love The Way You Lie” huge and theatrical, second only to the fiery performances by the famous faces in Em’s music video. There will be eight more groups to get to know next week, so get adjusted to this season’s changes by watching our early favorites, below

NICK LACHEY LOVES “CONTAGIOUS” ATMOSPHERE OF ‘THE SING-OFF’

SOURCE

The Sing-Off kicks off season three tonight (NBC, 8 pm et/pt), as 16 a capella groups compete for a Sony recording contract and a $200,000 cash prize. Celebrity judges on the show include returnees Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman, and newbie Sara Bareilles.

“This show has such a contagious atmosphere to be around,” says The Sing-Off host Nick Lachey, who years ago fronted the boy band 98 Degrees. “And you see how passionate these groups and the joy that they have performing on stage each and every show. It’s contagious. It makes you want to get out there, and do it. And certainly, I miss my guys, and there’s nothing but good memories there (with 98 Degrees).”

Click on the media bar and listen to Lachey talk about catching New Kids on the Block in concert:

As for the possibility of a 98 Degrees reunion, Lachey simply said, “Maybe in the future, we’ll see that happen.”

The Sing-Off various Pics

SOURCE

Shawn Stockman and Nick Lachey attend NBC’s 2011 TCA summer press tour at The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles, California on August 1, 2011

Check out the judges and host for this year’s show. Ben Folds, Sara Bareilles, Shawn Stockman, and Nick Lachey

The Sing-Off Set Visit: Returns for an Extended Third Season

SOURCE

Matt DeGroot

Get those ears of yours in tune, America, because another televised singing competition is about to start but this time its all a cappella. That’s right, The Sing-Off is back for a third season of vocal powerhouses and I got the chance to visit the set for a taping of one of their new episodes and have a brief chat with host Nick Lachey and judge Ben Folds.

Nestled into Stage 15 on the Sony Pictures lot in Los Angeles, the set of The Sing-Off is an absolute joy to walk onto with vocal groups warming up all around you to make their wildly versatile voices primed to impress the judges and advance to the next round of competition. And this year, there are a whole lot more of those voices to go around with the series more than doubling its number of episodes from its first two years on the air.

“We’re bigger and we’re better!” boasted host Nick Lachey. “We’re up to 11 episodes from 5 last year so we’re like the little show that could and we’re able to showcase even more unbelievable talent, which I think is great.”

With so many music competition shows on the air right now I asked Lachey and Ben Folds, who acts as one of the show’s three judges, how they distinguish themselves to stand out from the crowd. “Well that’s pretty easy,” said Folds, “our show is rooted in a cappella competition and that engine is what makes us extremely different.”

“The structure and competition symbols of the show might be similar to other shows out there but the a cappella aspect gives it a whole different feeling that makes it really special,” continued Folds.

In a world of pop music dominated by auto-tune and electronic sounds I asked Folds if there was even a place for a cappella music on the scene and if the winners of their show have any hope of topping the charts in a such a climate. And to put it simply, he absolutely thinks there is. “A cappella is really a huge cultural movement and there is always room for it in the music industry. If anything, I think the hardest thing about this show is keeping the competition tense. The music is just so powerful that it creates an enormous generosity between the competing groups that they’re just happy for each other no matter what happens.”

And after sitting through a taping of an episode I can certainly vouch for that statement. They really do revel in the other groups’ performances and it is almost as fun to watch them watch each other perform as it is to see the performances themselves.

Since what I watched was actually the season’s 10th episode I can’t reveal much about what I saw but I will say that the talent on display is remarkable! After watching the final four teams perform I had absolutely zero envy for the judges who had to decide who should be sent home.

“That is of course the really hard part,” said Lachey, “as the host I find myself constantly encouraging and embracing them along the way so its hard to see them go.”

On top of more episodes the show also boasts a new judge this season to sit alongside Folds and Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men fame. Recording artist Sara Bareilles has joined the panel to replace Nicole Scherzinger who has moved on to be a judge on FOX’s The X-Factor. Together, the three judges bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as a cappella artists and can act as true mentors to the competing teams.

On a personal note Lachey confirmed that he has just returned to the recording booth to start work on his upcoming third solo album called ‘Soundtrack of My Life’ featuring cover songs from all of the movies that have touched him over the years and Folds will be releasing a compilation album of his greatest hits next month called ‘The Best Imitation of Myself’ that encompasses his solo work along with that of his trio Ben Folds Five.

The Sing-Off begins this Monday, September 19 at 8/7c on NBC.

Images courtesy of NBC.