Those who couldn't hit a note, even if it were painted on the side of a building and were using a battering ram, are lip-syncers. Those who can sing as long as the music accompanies them are chorus members.
But those whose voices alone are instruments are true singers. An idea of how painful seemingly decent singers can sound without music is demonstrated in the audition episodes of "American Idol."
Now NBC presents those pure of voice in "The Sing-Off," a four-night special beginning 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Nick Lachey hosts the two-hour shows featuring the eight best a cappella groups NBC found from more than 1,000 submissions, according to executive producer Joel Gallen. Judges, including Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men and Ben Folds, will advise the groups.
On the first night, the judges will eliminate one group, and on the second and third nights, they'll reject two each. Once the competition is down to three groups, viewers have the chance to vote, and the winning group receives an Epic Records/Sony Music recording contract and $100,000. The finale will air Monday, Dec. 21.
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