The Sing-Off - TONIGHT 8PM! (learn more, pt. 2)

Alright so now we're all up to speed (see Part 1 from yesterday) on Collegiate A Cappella (and so we're clear I make no claims of being an expert, was never in a group, etc. so that's two grains of salt for those playing at home).

So what is the deal with this whole Sing-Off thing anyways? Well NBC is launching a special show starting TODAY at 8pm known as "The Sing-Off."  The show is essentially an American Idol style reality show (think judges, each group performs, judges cut groups each night, etc.) meets several A Cappella groups of varying styles.

I can't remember when I first learned of the show but I've certainly been anticipating it for a while now and not the least of the reasons why is the involvement of the Tufts University Beezelbubs (aka 'The Bubs'), from right here in Boston (well Medford). I've always been a fan of the Bubs even from those early days back in 2005 when I first became aware of A Cappella in general they were always talked about as one of the premiere groups. I guess you could say I've come to think of them as kind of the hometown team when it comess to Collegiate A Cappella (and it should be said their counterparts, all at Tufts, the all female group the Jackson Jills (The Jills) and the co-ed group The Amalgamates (The Mates)).

However it wasn't until September when on a whim I traveled to UNH that I actually saw them perform live. A few weeks later I saw them again at Tufts in the rain (literally) with maybe a handful of others. What was immediately clear to me is that they have a stage presence  that is hard to nail down and unquestionably unique and fun. You can watch a lot of all-male A Cappella groups and you'll see a large number of similarities but there are always subtle differences that just make The Bubs The Bubs. I'm hopeful that if those hard to quantify qualities come through to the television audience they'll do well. The clips I've seen so far have been encouraging.  Oh and did we mention they can sing? Yeah they can absolutely sing and sing well.  However if reality television competitions like this have taught us anything pure talent isn't necessarily enough, more often than not it is about personality and ability to connect in someway with the audience.

So I'll be rooting for The Bubs first but also for the other groups representing Collegiate A Cappella, but that's only 4 of 8 groups and one of the things that I think is going to make the show very interesting is the diversity of style represented.  For example you have the college groups and then you have the more traditional very harmony based quartet Maxx Factor certainly representing a different part of the spectrum. This I think is what will make the show interesting beyond the exposure to the genre in general it's hoped the show will provide to a much wider audience.

Much has been made over what this could all mean to "the scene."  I think in any community there's a desire to keep things tight and insular.  Certainly in my own experience with robotics it never quite felt the same once the number of teams and those involved expanded dramatically.  Will things go "mainstream?"  Love it or hate it with its flaws I think Glee has generated brought many newcomers into the fold.  If nothing else it is perhaps that gateway drug to full on A Cappella and it's a good starting point for a discussion with those still uninitiated.

Of course I to catch myself thinking well hey I didn't just jump on the bandwagon I was there in the rain, before Glee, before NBC! But really so what? What I enjoy even more is evangelizing the great groups and music out there to anyone who will listen.  To be practical things obviously won't change overnight but if just one more person comes away a fan then I always consider that a win. :-)

Checkout my YouTube Playlist for some of my favorites and remember to WATCH THE SING-OFF ON NBC TONIGHT AT 8PM!!