‘Sing-Off’ judges stay in tune with competitors
(This article was published in the Life section of The Oklahoman Monday, Sept. 26, 2011.)
“The Sing-Off” has returned for its third season with an expanded number of a cappella groups ranging in size and age competing for the grand prize of a Sony Music recording contract and $200,000.
At the beginning of this season, 16 groups instead of 10 were vying for the grand prize.
The groups have been critiqued along the way by celebrity judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman and Sara Bareilles, with the winner ultimately being chosen by viewers and revealed in a live finale.
“The Sing-Off,” hosted by Nick Lachey, airs at 7 p.m. Mondays on NBC.
Another change this season is new judge Bareilles. Bareilles replaced Nicole Scherzinger, who has joined Fox’s “The X Factor.”
Bareilles and fellow judge Folds participated in an NBC conference call recently to discuss the show.
Here are a few of the topics they covered:
Q: When it was first brought up to you that you could be part of “The Sing-Off,” what did you like about the premise of this show?
BAREILLES: For me, the decision was a totally easy one. I have an a cappella background, and I was also a fan of the show, as well as performed on the finale of Season 2.
So, when my management brought this up to me that this was even a possibility … it was kind of a no-brainer for me.
It’s a really special show with a lot of heart, and I love the other judges, and so it seemed like a really good thing to be a part of.
FOLDS: I’ll tell you the truth. When they first asked me, I think I told my manager no. But it hadn’t run yet, so I didn’t know much about the show. I just thought, “Well, I don’t know if I want to be a judge.”
But what convinced me to do it was that it was a cappella and … that it was unique and could be very musical. And I just worked with some a cappella groups.
I’ve never been in an a cappella group myself, but, yeah, I thought, well, this is something I regularly do anyway. I listen to music and I have an opinion about it and I know the inside of music, so I can talk about it a little bit.
It turned out to be a really good decision. I’ve really enjoyed it.
Q: Sara, how have you found connecting with the judges? They’ve already been together some time. Have you found your footing with them and connected with them?
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