Will The Cincinnati Choir Advance To Finals?

Cincinnati went country in New York on NBC's "Clash of the Choirs" Tuesday, and it worked for me. I hadn't heard Nick Lachey's vocalists sing Garth Brooks' "Friends In Low Places" in rehearsals at Xavier University, but I very impressed with the group's versatility, harmony and presentation. I think Nick Wall of Dent, the Bridgetown Road Skyline Chili server, out-countried Blake Shelton.

Lachey had told me in an interview he wanted his choir to be known for its versatility, and he's proving the point. As Michael Bolton said: "The diversity, the wit, and depth of all the voices, and fun -- pure fun." (Does this guy ever speak in complete sentences?)

Kelly Rowland, whose Houston choir was eliminated Tuesday, said: "You guys sound great. I'm speechless. You guys did a great job."

I didn't like NBC withholding the elimination until 8:45. I'd hate to have to sing after waiting 45 minutes on live TV to find out if my group made the cut. But NBC did a great job again of mixing in feel-good stories, like Wall losing 30 pounds to sing on national TV. I still don't like the title.... This format basically is "American Idol for Show Choirs."

Too bad the mastermind behind the choir hasn't received any credit. Steve Zegree, the Western Michigan University Bobby McFerrin professor of jazz, did all the Team Lachey arrangements, and presided over all the rehearals. He's a 1975 Miami University grad, by the way. (I saw just a glimpse of him on Tuesday's show, a short thin man with a dark beard, behind Lachey in one of the rehearsal shots.)

The competition:
--Again, I thought Patti LaBelle's Philly choir was very good (Duh!), singing "I'll Stand By You" by the Pretenders.

--Blake Shelton's Oklahoma City choir's "Taking It To The Streets" by the Doobie Brothers sounded good -- the solos were good, not great -- but I didn't like the choreography.... people just sitting on the steps rocking back and forth.

--Michael Bolton's New Haven choirs "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was pretty good. He went with two soloists instead of one tonight. Frankly I think the Cincinnati choir shows more depth of talent.

I'm guessing that Shelton or Bolton won't make the finals.

I think Cincinnati proved it deserves to make the finals... and if Cincinnati leads the TV ratings again for the show tonight, that should translate into enough voters to advance. And if the Cincy singers perform Wednesday, they've got some great songs that will blow the roof off the studio.

Who did you think was the best? Which one will be voted out?