The Sing Off Season 3
| Wednesday 19 September 2012 14:24
Sing It. Bring It.
On: Wednesdays (Starts: 3rd October ‘12)
At: 20:00 on SABC3
Episodes: 24
Genre: Foreign Variety /Family | Game-Show | Music | Reality-TV
The Sing-Off is a reality competition show in which the best a cappella groups from around the country will compete to win a Sony Music recording contract. The series features contestants performing popular, contemporary songs without backing tracks or a band. The Sing-Off is hosted by multi-platinum recording artist Nick Lachey and premieres on SABC3 during October.
The show scours the country in search of the best a cappella groups, ranging in various sizes and ages. This year, the competition has expanded to the 10 very best groups, who will perform popular songs in weekly competitions, which will culminate with a live finale revealing the grand-prize winner. 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 $ 200 000.
There’s no lip-synching, a back-up band or safety net. One group will be eliminated every week during this one-of-a-kind battle of voices that will lead up to a live finale - where viewers will decide the winner.
Celebrity judges, who will critique the singing groups using their musical expertise, are Ben Folds (Ben Folds Five), Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) and Sara Bareilles ("Love Song" and "King of Anything").
The Sing-Off is produced by Joel Gallen's (America's Best Dance Crew) Tenth Planet Productions, Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Gallen, Deb Newmyer (The Ugly Truth), Sam Weisman (George of the Jungle) and Josh Greenberg (America's Best Dance Crew) are executive producers.
Meet the host:
Nick Lachey
Nick grew up in Ohio and attended Cincinnati’s well-regarded public School for Creative and Performing Arts, where he developed his vocal talent and aspirations to become an entertainer.
Nick is well-known for his band 98 Degrees, where he sang along with his brother Drew Lachey, friend Justine Jeffre and Jeff Timmons. Unlike other boy bands, 98 Degrees was started independently by Jeff Timmons and was later picked up by a record label. The band got its big break when they performed during a radio broadcast of a Boys II Men concert and Paris D’Jon, manager of Montel Jordan, arranged for 98 Degrees to open for Jordan on his tour. Shortly after, the band was signed to Motown. Over the years, they have sold over 10 million records and earned eight top 40 singles.
Nick is also known for the hit reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife Jessica Simpson. The show was on for four seasons. Recently, Nick has been working on a new album entitled “Coming Up for Air.” He has done other television appearances as Leslie St. Claire in Charmed, and has appeared on Hope and Faith and Twins.
Meet the Judges
Shawn Stockman
Shawn Stockman is best-known for being part of the famous vocal quartet Boys II Men. He started off singing a cappella in high school along with Nathan Morris, Michael McCary and Wanya Morris. The song “Motownphilly,” written by Shawn and group member Nathan Morris, sold 12 million copies worldwide. In terms of sales, Boys II Men is the most successful R&B vocal group of all time.
Next September will mark the 20th anniversary of Boys II Men. Over the years they have earned nine American Music Awards, seven Soul Train Music Awards, four Grammys, and two World Music Awards and have sold more than 60 million records. Some of their hits include “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You” and “One Sweet Day.” “One Sweet Day” still holds the record as the longest-running #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. As of 2009, Shawn, Wanya Morris and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.
Shawn has recently started his own record label, Soul Chemistry Projects. He has said that he does not put musical limits on who can and can’t be signed. He is a musician who likes all genres of music. The eight a cappella groups on The Sing-Off have their work cut out for them to impress this well-known singer!
Ben Folds
Ben has been playing the piano since he was nine and during high school played in several bands as the pianist, bassist, or drummer.
After many years of being a drummer and bassist in a variety of bands, he devoted much of his time to working on his piano technique. In 1995 Ben Folds Five released their self-titled debut album; this was followed by “Whatever and Ever Amen” in 1997. The album produced many hits, such as “Brick,” “Song for the Dumped” and “Battle of Who Could Care Less.” In 1999 the band released their final album, “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner,” which included the hit “Army.”
Ben Folds Five gained a strong following in the U.K. and Australia, with five singles making the national top 40 in Britain.
In his solo career, Ben has released six solo LPs. Ben also contributed to William Shatner’s album “Has Been” as producer, arranger, musician and backup vocalist.
In May 2006, Ben contributed three original songs to the Over the Hedge soundtrack, and also a cover of The Clash song “Lost in the Supermarket” and a remix of “Rockin’ the Suburbs.”
Ben became the first person to broadcast a live concert via MySpace. Ben’s most recent album, “Way to Normal,” was released in 2008 in the U.S. and became his highest-charting album ever, debuting at #11 on the Billboard 200.
In April 2009, Ben released an album that consisted of commissioned a cappella arrangements of his music from some of the country’s best vocal troupes, “Ben Folds Presents University a Cappella.” He was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards’ judging panel to support independent artists. With all his talents combined, Ben makes for one tough judge that the contestants of The Sing-Off are going to have to impress!
Sara Bareilles
Sara Beth Bareilles (born December 7, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She achieved mainstream success in 2007 with the hit single "Love Song", which brought her into the number one spot on the Billboard Pop 100 chart. She has sold over 1 million records and over 4 million singles in the United States alone and has been nominated for a Grammy Award three times. In the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off, Bareilles was a celebrity judge alongside Ben Folds and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men. In February 2012, VH1 placed Bareilles in the #80 spot of the Top 100 Greatest Women in Music.
Meet the Contestants
Pentatonix Arlington, TX
Pentatonix is a fresh, five-member group originally from Arlington, Texas. Pentatonix keeps it hip and current, melding electronic music with pop hits, creating something that will make you want to dance and sing along at the same time. Group members include: Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola.
Dartmouth Aires Hanover, NH
Dartmouth College's oldest a cappella group, the Aires, was originally formed in 1946, as an offshoot of the college Glee Club. The current group of 16 is a fun loving, high-energy bunch of guys with eclectic tastes and no shortage of quirky antics. Group members include: Nic Chuaqui, Xavier Curry, Nate Davis, Daniel Freeman, Daniel Leopold, Justin Lerman, Henry Luehrman, Brendan Lynch-Salamon, Jack Merril, Clark Moore, Michael Odokara-Okigbo, Preston Suan, Robert Hoffman, Will Hart, Alex Taylor and Ethan Weinberg.
Urban Method Denver, CO
Urban Method was formed by eight musicians with extensive studio session work who had previously never performed together. Each individual's sound gravitates toward urban music and beats to create a cohesive blend. Group members include: Liz Ager, Kim Dawson, Troy Horne, Mykal Hudson, Tony Huerta, Zak Troiano, Katie Turley and Richard Steighner.
Afro-Blue Washington, DC
Afro-Blue is a fun-loving Jazz/Pop a cappella ensemble from Howard University in Washington, D.C. The group started as a class in the music department at Howard in 2002, with this current version of the group singing together since 2009. Group members include: Eliza Berkon, Reggie Bowens, Trenton Cokley, Christie Dashiell, Integriti Reeves, Devin Robinson, John Kenniebrew, Mariah Maxwell, Brian Vickers and Danielle Withers
Vocal Point Provo, UT
Vocal Point, established in 1991, is Brigham Young University's premiere contemporary a cappella ensemble. Their nine-man vocal firepower propels harmonies far beyond traditional four-part possibilities.
Group members include: Mike Christensen, McKay Crockett, Keith Evans, Jake Hunsaker, Ben Murphy, Tanner Nilsson, Robert Seely, Ty Sterling and Charles Welch.
Delilah Los Angeles, CA
A conglomeration of singers, mostly from the first two seasons of The Sing-Off, this all-female a cappella group is experienced and talented. They have banded together to compete once again, aiming to prove to America that an all-female a cappella group can win it. Group members include: Amy Whitcomb, Candace Eve, Geena Glaser, Hannah Juliano, Ingrid Andress, Johanna Vinson, Kendall Young and Laina Walker.
YellowJackets Rochester, NY
Formed in 1956, the University of Rochester YellowJackets are anything but old fashioned. This fun-loving group's mark of distinction is the members' bright yellow blazers. Group members include: Aaron Sperber, Christopher Young, Kieran Kriss, Danny Rubenstein, Galen Dole, Jamal Moore, John Greenhalgh, Jordan Fontheim, Matt Carlin, Matthew Francis, Michael Pittman, Nick Wiggins, Ross Pedersen, Samuel Brooks and Abhishek Sharma
The Collective Nashville, TN
Made up of a collective of independent artists, The Collective hails from Nashville, Tennessee. This rare group of singer-songwriters left their egos at the door to demonstrate that there is strength in numbers.
Group members include: Ruby Amanfu, Sam Brooker, Daniel Ellsworth, Isaac Hayden, David Jennings, Kaleb Jones, Perrin Lamb, Rachael Lampa and Jonathan Lister
The Deltones Newark, DE
The University of Delaware Deltones was founded in 1991 by a group of five University of Delaware students affectionately known as "the origitones." The group members pride themselves on their smooth tunes and their motto - friends first, singers second - a motto they have lived by for 20 years. They focus their energy towards singing on campus and in the Delaware community, as it is important for them to give back to those who support them. The group consists of five current UD students, seven recent graduates and three recent "alumnitones." Group members include: Keith Abrahamson, Avi Amon, Alex Bliziotis, Jessica Carvo, Alyssa DiNardo, Chloe English, Cassie Grossmann, Andrea Lopez, Morgan Nichols, Andrea O'Neil, Lou Ortiz, Walt Pendleton, Cortney Penta, Erica Schetter and Jared Weintraub.
North Shore Boston, MA
For the last 30 years, this refined street corner group has entertained thousands of listeners throughout the Boston area with an experienced blend of harmony, rhythm and tempo in songs from the '40s to today. Group members include: Guy Chiapponi, Thomas Duarte, Paul Lopes, James Martin and Vinny Straccia.
Sonos Los Angeles, CA
Sonos is a Los Angeles-based professional vocal group, formed in 2006 as a recording project that grew into a vocal band. They blend their voices together in perfect harmony through years of experience and live electronic effects that set them apart. Group members include: Rachel Bearer, Jessica Freedman, Chris Harrison, Kathy Hoye and Benjamin McLain.
Kinfolk 9 Los Angeles, CA
A Kinfolk 9 is a nine-piece professional vocal group from Los Angeles. Incredibly diverse in music, appearance and style, Kinfolk 9 is a group of people brought together through a genuine love of singing.
Group members include: Mary Akpa, David Fertello, Kari Francis, Jon Hall, Moises Navarro, Jenilee Reyes, Angelique Sheppard, Antoinette Taus and Daniel Weidlein.
Soul'd Out Wilsonville, OR
Soul'd Out, founded in 2007, is a mixed a cappella group from Wilsonville High School, in Wilsonville, Oregon, just south of Portland. The group is comprised of students from all grade levels, musical backgrounds and vocal types. Group members include: Kenzie Bizon, Jackson Brockie, Holly Brooks, Ethan Crystal, Paxton Crystal, Chanel Davenport, Brad Fuller, Gia Grant, Rachel Hawkins, Sam Hay-Roe, Daria Lamberson, Samantha Lockyear, Cole Peterson, Matt Spady, Joe Van Whechel and Lucy Winn.
Messiah's Men Minneapolis, MN
When the Messiah's Men left Africa, their goal was to make a better life for themselves in America. Now, eight years after forming the group, they have produced two albums, toured around the United States and received numerous awards in the gospel world. Group members include: Matthew Benson, Samuel Guar, Barchue Guar, Dehcontee Guar, Trokon Guar, Lester Manly, Samuel Mappy, Claudel St-Jean and David Wilson.
The Cat's Pajamas Branson, MO
The Cat's Pajamas, a vocal band that formed in 2005, pride themselves on their ability to engage each audience member during their dynamic, energetic and interactive performances. The all-male group has an impressive 175 shows scheduled throughout 2011, bringing audiences a blend of classic songs with a modern a cappella twist. Group members include: Johnny Gieringer, Nate Mendl, Chris Rossi, Brian Skinner and Zakk Wooten.
Fannin Family Hortonville, WI
The Fannin Family's mother was almost a nun and their father was a rock musician. The outcome was 11 extremely well behaved musicians. These adorable brothers and sisters are ready to bring their mid-west swag to The Sing-Off. Group members include: Alex Fannin, Chris Fannin, Elizabeth Fannin, Jake Fannin, Maria Fannin, Monica Fannin, Rachel Fannin and Sarah Fannin.
The Sing Off 3 will be aired Wednesdays at 20:00 from 3rd October only on SABC3.
Issued by
SABC3 Publicity Tel: 011 714 6269/ Email: domingod@sabc.co.za / www.sabc3.co.za
