Singing The Praises of Our NBC Choir

Time for a confession... or two.... or more....

--I don't like the title, "Clash of the Choirs," but I think it could be a big hit this week on TV (8-10 p.m. today, Channels 5, 2), if people give it a chance. There are some "American Idol" elements to it -- a singing competition, stories about the singers (ordinary people with interesting backgrounds, including two women who have had sick children treated at Children's Hospital here, the beneficiary if Cincinnati wins the competition), and a chance to vote for your favorite singers.

--This has nothing to do with church choirs, which could turn off some potential viewers. These are vocal ensembles singing pop, R&B, country, all kinds of music. This is not your grandmother's church choir.

--The real reason this show could be a hit: I've heard the Cincinnati choir, and it's won-der-ful. Dr. Stephen Zegree, the Bobby McFerrin professor of jazz at Western Michigan University, has given Nick Lachey’s choir a jazzy twist on every song. (Ever heard Manhattan Transfer, the Grammy-winning jazz vocalists?) They make beautiful music together.

I saw them rehearse five of their seven songs a week ago, and each was terrific. One is Lachey's "What's Left Of Me."I heard the "top secret" song that Lachey didn't want to discuss in my Sunday story. If done right, it will blow people away. The big question for Lachey and Zegree is when to do that special song? If they do it tonight, might they not match those high expectations again? Should they hold it to the Wednesday finals,when each choir does three songs? What if they don’t make it that far?

That's where you come in. Watch tonight. Give it a try. If you like what you see, call and vote for the Cincinnati group.

And then check out my blog. I'll post a review tonight, and I’'l be interested to read your take too.