As you might expect our little group watched with anticipation as the new TV show the "Sing Off" was aired last week and last night. Personally my first reaction was that the groups performing on the show weren’t that different from us. Sure, all but one group had a lot more singers, but they were trying to capture a lot of the same things we want to capture, and perform. I mean to hear the studio audience react to the "Beezelbubs", the eventual first runner-ups, as a performer it made me a bit jealous. Still, the important thing to all of us continues to be the music, the harmonies that are capable of giving even the most skeptical person chills.

Even the beat box and horn sounds coming from almost every group as they progressed through the competition were tolerable as they were used more to accent and complement the music. But, and you know a but was coming, the finale was off-putting.

I have to admit that I was out and didn’t turn on the finale until a half hour into the program. I was just in time to see the "Voices of Lee", performing with an English singer. It was hard to watch, especially as the other two groups then followed up and sang with other recording artists. The songs were not bad, but, this was a singing competition for these groups and in the finale instead of being able to showcase why they were in the finale these finalists were relegated to back-up singers. Granted "Nota", the winners, got to sing back-up with the legendary Smokey Robinson. But still, I found it to be bad execution of what started as a fun and entertaining program.

There are many other things I could pick apart and vent about this show. Let me sum it up by saying in my opinion Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey appear to be fairly evenly matched in intelligence.

So, after watching the entire first season, four shows, of the "Sing Off", I don’t think we, D(x)4, will be watching for the next season’s auditions. Don’t get me wrong, the opportunity to perform on national television is huge and if invited we would gladly be there. But, I have a hard time believing that any of the groups started in the competition with the intent of being back-up singers to anybody. Still, in this business the exposure of this, or similar shows, could be life and career changing.

For now D(x)4 will continue to work in the studio and perform at small venues. So, continue to watch for the announcement of the release of our first CD.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and Happy Holidays to all.
I meant to post this on the 22nd, the day I wrote it and before Christmas. As you can see I didn’t get it done. The interesting thing is that on Christmas Day as I was visiting with friends one young man mentioned he had watched the "Sing Off". His comment was that despite the hype NBC, and Nick Lachey, tried to create, this is not a new art form that is just being discovered. He then went on to talk about being at the California State Fair several years ago and listening to a accappella group. His memory was that it was a fun performance but not something he would have searched for.

On that note I again wish any who may be reading a Happy New year.