Variety is reporting that Nick Lachey will host NBC's "The Sing-Off," in which a cappella groups compete for a Sony Recording Contract. Ben Folds and Boyz II Men member Shawn Stockman will serve as judges for the series. "The Sing-Off" will premiere Monday, December 14 at 8:00/7:00c. Additional episodes (all at 8:00/7:00c) will also air Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16 with the season finale on Monday, December 21. Each installment will run two hours.
To read the full announcement in Variety, click here.
Singer Nick Lachey (former member of 98 Degrees, Charmed, NBC's Clash of the Choirs) conceptualized and executive produced MTV's reality musical series "Taking the Stage" earlier this year, in which lives of five talented students at the School For Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati, Ohio. (of which Lachey is an alum).
Widely known for his prowess as a pianist, Ben Folds is also adept at drums, guitar, and bass. Folds is best known as a solo artist and as the front man and pianist of Ben Folds Five, celebrated for a compositional style and playing technique which remains wholly unique, combining elements of the "singer/songwriter" genre, jazz, and power rock. Ben Folds' music is evocative of artists such as Joe Jackson and Sir Elton John, with an added edge and bold infusion of energy and wit.
Shawn Stockman is an original member of Boyz II Men dating back to 1988. The group has had much success including five R & B hits between 1992-1997 and has sold over 60 million records worldwide. Boyz II Men was named Billboards most successful group and overall artist of the 90's. Some of their most popular songs include, "End of the Road", "I'll Make Love to You" and "One Sweet Day" which propelled their careers to international stardom. After taking a break to deal with personal and management issues, in the middle of 2007 Boyz II Men Recorded their eighth record A Journey Through Hitsville USA, co-produced by American Idol Judge Randy Jackson.
A capella music has been the basis and inspiration for many top musical acts on the charts from Motown to Boyz to Men. Recently it has been the focus of national tournaments and exploded in popularity on college campuses all over the country. With a strong fan base and largely untapped talent pool, it has never been the center of a musical competition until now. The best of the best are going to compete on a national stage. From Joel Gallen's ("America's Best Dance Crew") Tenth Planet Productions, Outlaw Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television, "The Sing-Off" will feature the country's top a cappella groups performing popular songs like you've never heard them before. There's no lip-synching, back-up bands or safety net. They'll be singing for America's vote with the winner walking away with the ultimate prize - an Epic Records/Sony recording contract.
The Sing-Off production crew recently held open auditions for candidates in New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles throughout September.
Two years ago, the Peacock launched "Clash of the Choirs" in a similar December rollout strategy. Deb Newmyer, Joel Gallen and Sam Weisman are behind "Sing-Off," a co-production of Outlaw Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television and Tenth Planet Productions.
NBC also plans to give its comedies an extra boost the week of December 28. Four episodes marathons (all starting at 8:00/7:00c) are set for "Community" (Monday, December 28), "Parks & Recreation" (Tuesday, December 29), "The Office" (Wednesday, December 30) and "30 Rock" (Thursday, December 31).
