Voices of Lee is, from left, Corbett Floyd, Joseph Farabee, Makiah Meinel, Shana Chrisley, Jordan Guyton, Megan Wimpelberg, Naja Wilson, Kadison Beaver, Lauren Adams, Kyleigh Hill, Rayman Lewis and Jay Newsome.If you go
› What: Voices of Lee› When: 5:30 p.m.› Where: Bud Light Stage
Seven years ago, Lee University's Voices of Lee vocal ensemble came within spitting distance of taking home the $100,000 prize in NBC's "Sing-Off" a cappella competition. Ultimately, the group made it to the finals and didn't cinch the win, but its appearance put the Cleveland, Tenn., institution on the map.
During the series, the 10-member group performed stunning covers on a variety of pop hits by Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys and The Beatles. For its show tonight as part of Riverbend's Faith & Family Night celebration, however, the ensemble - a different group than the one that competed - will be decidedly more in its element as it performs a set of religious music.
The Voices of Lee program just finished its 21st season, and the ensemble is no stranger to Riverbend, having last performed at Faith & Family Night in 2013. Tonight the singers will take advantage of their second appearance on the Bud Light Stage as an opportunity to use their pitch-perfect, spring-tight vocal harmonies in musical testimony of their faith.
I have always loved the spine-tingling thrill of a fullbore gospel choir so, as much as I appreciate the synth-pop/Christian crossover of headliner for King & Country, Voices of Lee is more my cup of tea and seems even more in line with the tenor - pun intended - of the evening.
If you need a little convincing to get you through the gates tonight, I suggest checking out the group's cover of Dottie Rambo's "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" and Trent Cory's "Great God" at voicesoflee.com/music. It's powerful, moving stuff.
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.