Westminster Dog Show 2019: Nick Lachey talks 'Bark-etology,' 98 Degrees, Cincinnati sports

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ALYSSA SCONZO

What is Nick Lachey up to these days? The 98 Degrees frontman is a dog lover and sports superfan who is plugged in to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show this time each year, working as the spokesperseon for Purina Pro Plan's $1 million bracket challenge.

As the 2019 "Barketologist," Lachey is encouraging dog and sports fans alike to fill out a bracket and tune into the dog show Feb. 11-12 for a chance to win $1 million. The winning bracket needs to correctly predict the breed in all seven categories - something that hasn't happened in the challenge's four-year history - and pick the winner of Best in Show.

Sporting News had the opportunity to catch up with Lachey to discuss his partnership with Purina Pro Plan, bracket strategy for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, his Yorki Poo named Wookie, 98 Degrees and Cincinnati sports.

Note: Portions of the interview have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Sporting News: Why did you team up with Purina Pro Plan for the $1 million bracket challenge?

Nick Lachey: I think it's just a great way for more fans to get more involved with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which happens to be every year around this time. This is the fourth year that Purina has done the Pro Plan Bracket Challenge. If you go to proplanbracket.com, you can select your own bracket.

Basically, you're picking a winner from all seven of the groups represented in the show and you also pick your best of show choice. If you get them all right, you have the chance to win a million dollars. If you like to have a little more stake in the game, especially for those who lost a little something on Sunday in the Super Bowl, you have a chance to make up some loses here.

I'm a sports fan across the board. I obviously love dogs as well. I've had a dog for 11 years now. It's just a great way as a sports fan to be involved in the dog show and the whole experience of it.

SN: You're a "barketologist." What does that mean?

NL: It's really one of my favorite things I've heard over the last year, being a "barketologist." Obviously a bracketologist during the basketball season for March Madness is the person who is the expert of bracketology, but I'm the expert barketologist.

SN: So you're an expert in dogs now?

NL: I've been an expert in dogs for years but this is the only time I've been able to unleash my wisdom on the world.

SN: Walk me through your bracket strategy. I see you went with the Siberian usky to win the whole thing … what was your reasoning behind that?

NL: Well, let's start with the German Shepherd because it is actually one of the most popular picks in the bracket. A lot of people like the German Shepherd. I personally chose the German Shepherd because my brother's first dog was a German Shepherd named Luca and he was like my first nephew. I have a special place in my heart for him.

I actually took a personal approach to my bracket. Another example: I picked the Siberian husky because I had a Siberian growing up named Igloo. She was my favorite dog and we literally, all through high school, I'd take her running, so that's why I picked the husky for the working group, as well as best in show. A Siberian black's only win as the best in show was in 1980 so I'm hoping it's time for the Siberian to come back around.

In the toy category, the Yorkshire Terrier, my dog now, Wookie, is half Yorkie, half poodle. He's ineligible to compete in this competition because he's not purebread or I'm sure he'd win it, but that's why I went with the Yorkie there.

In the sporting category, the Labrador retriever. I had a lab right before Wookie, a yellow lab, so I went with the lab there. Funny enough, the lab has never won. As popular as labs are, it's never won the sporting category. It's overdue, well overdue.

In the non-sporting, I picked that dog (Xoloitzcuintli) because I couldn't say its name and I just wanted to hear an announcer attempt to say its name if it won the category. It's a Mexican breed of dog ... we'll see what happens there. I just try to take a personal approach with my picks. I think it's a great way for people to have fun. It doesn't cost anything to enter, you've got nothing to lose and it's a great way to follow along and see what happens.

SN: What about this challenge excites you and why should others go on and pick a bracket for themselves?

NL: I think it's fun. It's a chance to watch along the last couple rounds of the dog show Feb. 11-12, 7:30 ET, FS1). It's just a great way to follow along and watch your bracket unfold and, God-willing, someone will be lucky enough to walk away with $1 million if they get them all right. It's the perfect combination for people who love dogs, as I do, obviously, and it's a spectacle to see this unfold in the dog show every year. But this is a great way with the brackets to put a little stake in the game as well and up the ante - and have fun. It's really about having fun.

SN: The dog show is prestigious going into its 143th years, but it's also hosted at Madison Square Garden, one of the world's most famous arenas. What are you most looking forward to?

NL: The Garden is a special, special place. I think it's a great combination of both things. As you said, the competition has been around so long and has become a staple of the New York landscape this time of year and in the dog world. To have such an iconic event at MSG is only appropriate. MSG is such a special place. I've had the honor to play there myself a few times and there's just something that is extra special about being in that building. I'm looking forward to both.

SN: Tell me a little bit about your pup, Wookie

NL: Wookie, I like to refer to him as our first born. Vanessa and I got him when we were first dating ... he literally was our first child. It's cool to see them become a part of your landscape, you know? The kids love him and play with him, and chase him and harass him and do all things that kids do with dogs. He's definitely a part of the family. He's in every Christmas card we take every year, he's in every family photo, he's part of our brood.

SN: Why Wookie? Big Star Wars fan?

NL: I'm a big Star Wars fan ... when he was a puppy especially, he looked a lot like Chewbacca the Wookie, so that's definitely where he got his name from.

SN: Obedience or agility - which portion of the show would Wookie do best in?

NL: He's definitely strong in the agility category, although he's fairly obedient for a dog. He just turned 11 and so his hearing and eyesight is starting to go a little bit; he's not the performer he once was. ... You wouldn't believe he's 11.

SN: Which 98 Degrees song would you pick as Wookie's warm-up music if he were going to be in a dog show?

NL: "Una Noche" because he's just got one night to pull this thing off.

SN: What's next for 98 Degrees?

NL: We were on tour. We toured this past fall and we toured the year before that as well. We're actually going out and doing a handful of shows this year as well. We are still very much together and love performing together and making music, so we're still very much in the mix.

SN: Do you and Vanessa have any other pets?

NL: We don't, no. Wookie is our lone pet representative right now. We have three kids - 6, 4 and 2 years old. Things, as you could imagine, are a little crazy at our house as it is. We didn't want to introduce another curve ball into the mix but I can say without any question we will have more dogs in the future. We are definitely dog people.

SN: As a big Cincinnati Bearcats fan, are you excited about this year's team? They just cracked the AP Top 25.

NL: Yeah! You've done your research, I like it. I was wondering when they were going to crack the Top 25. It's a younger team, it's one of those teams we can see getting better throughout the year and I think by the time the tournament rolls around they are really going to have hit a stride. I think they could make some noise. It's not the most talented team we've ever had but I like the way they are coming together.

SN: Any bold predictions for the Reds or Bengals ahead of next season?

NL: My bold prediction is that the Reds will be much improved. We've made some significant offseason moves. We've got Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Sonny Gray so I think we've got a chance to be much, much better than we've been the last couple of years, although we finished in last place so there's nowhere to go but up ... I think the Cubs could have an off year, I think the Cardinals are on the way out and I think it's time for the Reds to have their dominance yet again.

As far as the Bengals, a lot of people panicked after the Super Bowl that we're not getting the offensive guru we thought we were but I'm not really concerned about that. We still have a lot of talented pieces there and I think we'll be much improved next year. I'm also an optimist, so ...

SN: Which career highlight is the most memorable?

NL: I've been very, very blessed to do a lot of stuff. I think one of the coolest moments in my career, it happened pretty early on, was a chance to work with Stevie Wonder and record with him and to perform live with him. He's somebody that is obviously a legend in music, but specifically somebody that I really loved and looked up to. Any time you get to meet an idol like that and work alongside of them, that's a pretty awesome thing. So I'll go with that.

Reds Opening Day: Taft's Ale House, Lachey's Bar join the party for first time

Blessing of the Beers!

CINCINNATI -- By 9:15 a.m. Opening Day, more than 150 people had already settled into Taft’s Ale House, sipping beers and getting a firsthand look at Cincinnati’s newest brewery.

Well, it’s 5 o’clock, somewhere, right?

For Taft’s, Opening Day has a double meaning. As Reds fans celebrate the start of the season, it’s also the official first day of business for the old church-turned-brewpub at 1429 Race St. in Over-the-Rhine.

With hundreds of thousands of people flocking Downtown for the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade, the Reds’ game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates and other related events, longtime local bars and restaurants are accustomed to the overflow of fans. But for newcomers marking their first Opening Day, such as Taft’s, the experience is brand-new.

STL@CIN Gm3: Lachey sings the national anthem

Throwback Video

Nick Lachey and Reds fan team up to parody 'Dust in the Wind'

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By: WCPO Digital Staff

Click the link above to hear the song

CINCINNATI - Who hasn’t heard the song, “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas? A true Reds fan teamed up with Cincinnatian and pop-singer Nick Lachey to create a parody of the song, entitled “Dusty Please Win.”

Josh Sneed told Lachey of his Reds-friendly version of the song, and he agreed to record it with him. The project was put on hold after Lachey became a new father as this past Reds season was winding down.

The two decided to record the song in the offseason and released it just before Opening Day 2013.

The song can be downloaded for $1.00 at http://www.CincyShirts.com/Dusty , and all proceeds will benefit the Reds Community Fund.

You can listen to the parody by hitting play below (mobile and tablet users go to a browser version of WCPO.com).

Nick Lachey and Josh Sneed getting us ready for Reds Opening Day!

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Comedian Josh Sneed and Nick Lachey collaborated recently by recording a fun Red’s Opening Day mantra called “Dusty Please Win!” You’ll be laughing and singing along. It is available for download for only $1 at www.cincyshirts.com/dusty All proceeds benefit the Red’s Community Fund.

98 Degrees at the Reds Game

Thanks to shane at Nickfantic for finding these!!

Broner Chills With Lachey At Reds Game

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Recording artist and television personality Nick Lachey (Left) poses with undefeated WBO Junior Lightweight World Champion Adrien Broner (Right) at the July 17, 2012 Cincinnati Reds game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Cincinnati, Ohio where Broner served as the Reds Honorary Team Captain in advance of his July 21, 2012 title defense against NABO Junior Lightweight Champion and number one rated WBO junior lightweight contender Vicente Escobedo at U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati which will be broadcast live on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Nick Lachey named Reds' honorary captain - 4.28.12

4/28/12: Nick Lachey on what it means to be the Reds' honorary captain for a day 

Cincinnati Reds + Nick Lachey= One great day for Big Brothers Big Sisters

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TV and recording star--and Cincinnati native--Nick Lachey spends time with Big Sister Melia Cadir and her Little Sister Kyleigh. The two are from Lawrenceburg and are paired Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati mentoring program. This trio met at Big Brothers Big Sisters Day at the Reds. Lachey led the crowd in singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Game," and talked with broadcaster Marty Brennaman on 700WLW about the experience of being a volunteer Big Brother.


Contributed By: Deb Haas | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati

It was a great day to be a kid, no matter your age, when the Reds took on the Astros on Big Brothers Big Sisters Day.
The Cincinnati Reds teamed up with Tri-State Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies to raise funds for them—and also treated some of children and their mentors to a day at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds offered special seats and reduced prices, with part of the proceeds benefiting the mentoring agencies. Several of the “Little Brothers” and “Little Sisters” were invited onto the field with their “Big Brothers” and “Big Sisters,” and met Cincinnati Reds players as well as mascots.

TV and recording star Nick Lachey, a long-time Big Brother himself, served as honorary captain of the game and talked with Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman on 700 WLW about the experience and encouraged others to volunteer. Lachey then headed to the Big Brothers Big Sisters section of the ball park and led the crowd in singing “Take Me Out ToThe Ball Game.” Big Sister Melia Cadir and her Little Sister Kyleigh, both of Lawrenceburg, were excited to meet Lachey. Cadir says, “It was a big surprise to see him. It’s great that he’s hands on and devotes his time to Big Brothers Big Sisters. He was super nice and really approachable. It was an unforgettable experience and I feel blessed to have that opportunity.”

Kathy List, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati—one of the agency’s involved in the event—was thrilled that the Reds offered this opportunity, saying, “A huge ‘thank you’ to the Cincinnati Reds from the hundreds of volunteers and children across Ohio, Indiana and Northern Kentucky who were able to participate in ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters Day” at the ball park. We are grateful for community partners who understand and support our mission.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies are on a mission to help children become successful in school and in life. Adult volunteer mentors are paired with youngsters who can benefit from having a positive adult role model. For information about becoming involved, call 513-421-4120 or visit www.bigsforkids.org.

Nick Lachey World Series National Anthem

Cincinnati Reds centerfielder and singer Nick Lachey take part in Reds recycling drive

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• Shannon Kettler

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs and singer Nick Lachey teamed up on Saturday morning to help collect items for the annual Reds recycling drive. 
  
Stubbs and Lachey put their muscles to work by lifting old televisions, computer monitors and other electronic items from the trunks of cars while at the Hyde Park Plaza for the 3rd annual Players for The Planet e-Waste Recycling Drive. 
  
The first 200 cars received two free tickets to a Reds game. 

Stubbs tells 9 News former teammate Chris Dickerson got him interested in recycling. "You don't think about how much plastic you have and throw away and by being able to reuse it, it prevents the landfills from piling up," said Stubbs. 

Cincinnati: the city that sings

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Cincinnati is “singing every night and day,” and Councilwoman Laure Quinlivan wants everyone to know that.

Quinlivan is producing a music video to promote Cincinnati as “the city that sings.” Production on Sunday included singer Nick Lachey at Great American Ball Park with dancers from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Later, shooting was moved to Findlay Market with former American Idol contestant Eben Franckewitz of Miami Township in Clermont County.

Quinlivan wrote the lyrics to “Cincinnati Singing,” set to the tune of “Proud Mary” by John Fogerty. The first verse says:

It’s a good life in the city

Cincinnati’s singing every night and day

The Pops and the opera

Rock ’n’ roll and gospel

Funk & blues & schools with performing arts

Quinlivan said Cincinnati does not have a national image and that hurts the city when it goes to attract businesses and top artistic talent. She said the city has great opportunity with the World Choir Games that it hosts this summer as media from all over the world will be here.

“The city that sings really is very authentic to us. That’s the reason we got the games,” she said, noting the city’s strong singing tradition and Music Hall as reasons it was picked to have the choir games.

Television talk show host and former Mayor Jerry Springer will appear in a shoot this week. Other celebrities who will be in the video are Bootsy Collins and Lachey’s brother Drew Lachey. Quinlivan said actress Carmen Electra wants to do it from Los Angeles. Quinlivan said she’s not sure how that will work.

Nick Lachey, a 1992 School for Creative & Performing Arts graduate who grew up in College Hill, said he does everything he can to promote hey owns a home in Cincinnati and he said he loves it here. He plans to be here at least for the World Choir Games’ opening ceremonies.

“It’s hard to communicate to people who aren’t from here because it really is a special (and) unique place,” he said. “But I think for people who did grew up here, everyone would agree that there’s no place like Cincinnati.”

Quinlivan said officials want the video to be online and it will probably be about two minutes long. A former television reporter, she said she wrote it so a 30-second section can be made into a public service announcement.

“So we’re hoping our television and radio stations will air it,” she said.

Players for the Planet Electronic Waste Collection Event

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