Micah's Voice Presents Back In The Day 2nd Annual Benefit Concert (NICK)

SOURCE

‘Sing-Off’ Host Nick Lachey Says Show Gives Groups ‘Platform I Was Fortunate to Have’

SOURCE
By Alicia Banks

The pop singer talks about the return of the NBC competition and paying it forward

Nick Lachey knows the value of a cappella. It’s what catapulted his Grammy-nominated 98 Degrees to boy band stardom during the 1990s. And as the host of NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” he’s giving others a similar opportunity.

“A cappella music is what got us signed to Motown [Records],” Lachey said of his fellow band mates brother, Drew, Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons.

The musical competition pits a cappella groups from across the nation against each other as they vie for a $50,000 grand prize during the two-hour event.

“It celebrates a cappella music and gives a deserving group the platform that I was fortunate enough to have,” Lachey said.

The winners will be decided on pure vocal – and some beat-boxing – talent alone. No band. No back-up singers.

This year’s contestants are the sextuplet Timothy’s Gift; Vanderbilt University’s all-male group, Melodores; The Exchange; dubbed “spirit-filled divas” Traces; Bay Area natives San Fran 6 and A. Squared of New Haven., Connecticut.

Singer Jewel, Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman and Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump serve as judges. And choosing a winner is one task Lachey said he’s happy to avoid.

“I’m thankful I don’t have to make that decision,” the 41-year-old said of choosing a winner. “But, this is great music. Some of the most talented singers you will ever hear, doing what they do best.”

Since its inception, “The Sing-Off” has toggled between an episodic and a one-night series. Last December, after the group Home Free clinched the top prize, the show aired its low-rated finale earning a 1.3 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic.

Lachey said the competition’s return speaks to its “feel good” vibe and added the he was often asked on the street about when the show will return.

“It’s a great fit for ‘The Sing-Off’ to be around this time of the year. It’s cemented itself into the fabric of what the holidays are about,” he said.

And the holiday event will bring the return of Season 3 and Season 4 winners, Pentatonix and Home Free, respectively, who will lend their vocal talents. Viewers may also have the chance to see this year’s judges and Lachey take the stage, as well.

“We’re all singers. We all love music, and it’s great to be able to perform. I’m just thrilled to be back,” Lachey said, jokingly adding that “there better be talk about Season 6.”

'The Sing-Off' Returns to NBC With Six New Groups Competing in Two-Hour Holiday Special Wednesday December 17

SOURCE
Written By Amanda Kondolojy

via press release:

‘THE SING-OFF’ RETURNS TO NBC WITH SIX NEW GROUPS COMPETING IN TWO-HOUR HOLIDAY SPECIAL SET FOR WEDNESDAY, DEC. 17

Jewel, Shawn Stockman and Patrick Stump Serve as Judges with Nick Lachey Returning as Host

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — Nov. 7, 2014 — NBC will air a two-hour holiday special of its popular a capella musical competition series “The Sing-Off” on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 9-11 p.m. ET/PT. Six new groups will compete for a first-place prize of $50,000.

Returning judges Jewel and Shawn Stockman will be joined by Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump while Nick Lachey is once again set as host.

Four-time Grammy nominee Jewel has enjoyed career longevity rare among her generation of artists. She has always been a charismatic live performer, earning the respect of other singer-songwriters, such as Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, who, not only invited her to open their shows, but mentored her in the early phases of her career. After a tremendous amount of success as a singer-songwriter and more than 27 million albums sold, Jewel released a greatest hits album in 2013 that featured a collection of her best-known songs as well as two new duets with Kelly Clarkson and the Pistol Annies, in addition to a new track called “Two Hearts Breaking.”

She starred as June Carter Cash in the Lifetime biopic “Ring of Fire,” which earned four Emmy nominations. In 2013 Jewel released her much anticipated follow-up holiday album, “Let It Snow.” Currently, Jewel is recording her 13th studio album, a follow-up to her first album, “Pieces of You,” due in 2015.  

As its tenor vocalist, Shawn Stockman has helped make the four-time Grammy-winning Boyz II Men the best-selling r&b group of all time. For the past two decades, Stockman and bandmates Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris (no relation) have been crafting classic albums whose appeal has withstood the test of time. Stockman’s smooth vocals have helped to give Boyz II Men’s timeless hits their signature sound. Boyz II Men has recently released a new album of original material titled “Collide,” which offers a new sound for the group.

Boyz II Men, which holds the record for longest running # 1 song in music history with “One Sweet Day,” just recently extended their Las Vegas residency at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.

Patrick Stump is the lead singer for Chicago-based Grammy-nominated rock band Fall Out Boy. The band’s first single, “Centuries,” from their forthcoming album for Island Records/DCD2, has become a multi-format radio smash, quickly charting in the top 10 on modern rock and now exploding on the Top 40 chart. The track debuted at #1 on the iTunes Alternative Chart and the song already has more than 20 million plays on Spotify and 3 million plays on YouTube in just three weeks. Fall Out Boy has also written the song “Immortals,” featured in the trailer and the film “Big Hero 6” from Disney.

The band’s 2013 release, “Save Rock and Roll,” was the musicians’ gold-certified fifth studio album and featured the multiplatinum hit “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up).” “Save Rock and Roll” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 and #1 on iTunes in 27 countries when it was released in April.

Nick Lachey, a multi-platinum recording artist, actor and television personality first rose to stardom as the front-man of the popular band 98 Degrees, selling more than 10 million albums worldwide and charting several top-40 hits. Lachey later went onto star in “Newlyweds,” one of MTV’s most successful shows in the network’s history.

His fourth solo album, “Soundtrack of My Life,” is slated for release Nov. 11. In addition to his individual projects, Lachey reunited with 98 Degrees to announce a North America tour with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men.

In March, Lachey signed on to host VH1’s popular national morning show “Big Morning Buzz Live.” He is currently in production on a new A&E Network docuseries “Lachey’s Bar” that will follow brothers Nick and Drew Lachey as they open a bar in their hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Last year’s “Sing-Off” champions Home Free saw their recent album release “Crazy Life” go to #1 on the country iTunes chart and #4 on the overall iTunes chart. They embarked on a 36-show tour in support of the album and have appeared on shows such as “Today” and “Fox and Friends.”

As another sign of the influence of “The Sing-Off,” Pentatonix have become a musical force since winning the third season. Since their debut in 2011, the quintet has released four EP’s and their first full-length holiday CD "That's Christmas To Me,", selling more than 600,000 copies combined with three of the releases debuting in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Having recently eclipsed 6.6 million subscribers and over 625 million cumulative views, the Pentatonix official YouTube page is currently the 13th most subscribed-to music channel, having surpassed the subscriber totals of both Avicii and Beyoncé.

“The Sing-Off” is produced by United Artists Media Group (a joint venture among MGM, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Hearst Corporation) along with Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television.

 Mark Burnett (NBC’s “The Voice”) is the executive producer. Deb Newmyer, Sam Weisman and James Sunderland are also executive producers.

Please visit the official show site at http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/

For the latest “The Sing-Off” news, videos, and photos, please like on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and follow on Google+:

https://www.facebook.com/TheSingOff

https://twitter.com/thesingoff  #SingOff

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

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'

Lachey brothers are back

SOURCE

John Kiesewetter

Nick and Drew Lachey return to TV this week – but don’t expect to see them on tour any time soon with 98 Degrees.

After their final concert Aug. 4, the four guys resumed the lives they put on hold for their “2.0” reunion album, and the Package Tour with New Kids On The Block and Boyz II Men.

Nick Lachey, 40, started production the next day on “The Sing-Off,” NBC’s a cappella group competition returning Monday (9-11 p.m., Channel 5). The University of Kentucky’s student Acoustikats and nine other groups compete for $100,000 and a recording contract through Dec. 23.

“Everybody is busy taking care of the things they put on hold to tour,” said Drew Lachey, who stars in the new “Guess Who’s Coming To Christmas” movie Sunday (7 and 10 p.m., UP TV, Time Warner Channel 257).

“We left the door open to do another tour and album. It’s still a dream of everyone to get out and perform together. It’s a matter of making time for it, because all of us now have families,” said Drew, 37. “It was a lot of fun. It never gets old having 1,500 or 1,800 people screaming for you.”

On “Guess Who’s Coming To Christmas,” Drew plays Dax, a bad boy rock star, rehabbing his image spending Christmas with a small-town preacher’s family after the paparazzi find him passed out in his car.

Dax really isn’t all that bad, since the movie airs on the Uplifting Entertainment network, formerly the Gospel Music Channel. “It’s a very family-friend movie. We walk a very fine line. He’s a bad boy enough that you know he’s hurting people around him,” Drew said.

You can guess how it ends, even if you’ve never seen a Christmas cable TV movie. Dax is charmed by the preacher’s family, and smitten with their daughter Kelly (singer-actress MacKenzie Porter).

Drew and MacKenzie sing a duet, “You,” which they wrote during lunch breaks, “mirroring what was happening in the movie. We’d go over to the corner and work on the song,” he said.

He shot the film a year ago in Vancouver in 11 days – four days faster than Nicollette Sheridan’s “The Christmas Spirit” in Lebanon. (“Spirit” repeats 8 p.m. Wednesday on the Hallmark Channel.) “Once we started, we had to stick to the script. There wasn’t any wasting time,” he said.

While looking for his next project, Drew and wife Leah teach three days a week at their alma mater, the School for Creative & Performing Arts, and train young performers through their Lachey Arts program. They provide caroling quartets nightly for the Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights.

'The Sing-Off' Season 4 NBC: Trailer Teaser & Host Nick Lachey Interview, Watch Here (VIDEO)

SOURCE
Matt Lloyd

"The Sing-Off" is back on NBC premiering Season 4 on Monday, December 9th. There will be 10 groups performing along with new judge Jewel that will replace Sara Bareilles this season. Other judges for this season include Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men). 

Above you can watch an interview with host Nick Lachey and show producer Mark Burnett as they discuss this upcoming season and how it fits so well into the holiday television format. 

"The Sing-Off" took a break in 2012 with no season airing and many had thought that the show would be cancelled. However, they have brought the show back for the Christmas season of 2013 in hopes that it will resonate with fans once again. 

Season 4 of "The Sing-Off" Returns Monday, December 9th at 9/8c directly following "The Voice", which is a great spot since "The Voice" is so popular right now. Will you be watching?

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

SOURCE

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.'