That’s what happens when you win a competition with 9
million viewers on national television.
Staple is a member of Committed.
Committed won the second season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, forcing a rapid
change in the lives of Dennis “DJ” Baptiste, Tommy Gervais, Geston Pierre,
Robert Pressley, Theron “Therry” Thomas and Staple.
The all-male a cappella group will perform at the
Carolina Theatre on Thursday, August 25.
The show starts at 8:00 pm, and the proceeds benefit the Durham Nativity
School Scholarship Fund. It’s the fourth
annual Nativity School benefit concert, and organizers selected Committed
because the group’s story resonates with the students at the Nativity School.
Committed was formed in Huntsville, Alabama in 2003. Although none of the original members remain,
Committed is an example of the benefit of hard work and dedication.
“We are grounded in our faith,” Staple says. “We work hard to not perform music that goes
against what we believe.
The group released their self-titled debut album on
August 30th on Epic Records.
The album features a blend of cover songs, including a rendition of
Michael Jackson’s “Hold My Hand” which is the song that sealed their win on the
season finale of The Sing-Off, as well as original songs. Their first single “Break
Free” was co-written by group member Therry Thomas.
The group was discovered by NBC after a recommendation
from Take 6, the a cappella group with ten GRAMMY Awards. Like Committed, Take 6 formed in Huntsville,
Alabama on the campus of Oakwood College.
Committed played at a party honoring Take 6 and made such a strong
impression that members of Take 6 contacted NBC and recommended the group for
the second season of Sing-Off
The connection between the two groups, along with the
win on Sing-Off, was enough to inspire administrators at the Nativity School to
have them perform at this year’s benefit concert. There’s a lesson about paying it
forward. There’s a lesson about
solidarity and lending a hand to those in need of support.
The Nativity School seeks to teach through the example
of black male role models. Most of the
students at the Nativity School are black and brown boys. Durham’s public education is replete of
examples of minority boys who fall through the cracks due to a lack of attention. The Nativity School boasts a myriad of
examples of boys who move beyond the middle school years to obtain academic
scholarships to attend the best private schools in North Carolina.
Yes, Thursday’s concert is about raising money to pay
tuition. It’s also a celebration of six black males who endured a seven year
wait to get a break. It came after the
group they admire saw their gift and moved beyond the comforts that come with
success. That group will be in Durham
tomorrow. Six black men who do more than
just sing will come to show what faith can produce.
They sing without instruments. They depend on each other to make great
music. Just like life - six black men
trusting the other to keep the beat.
A group of boys will be watching. Who knows what watching Committed will do to
shape their future.
The name is a good start. Committed.
Six black men singing, hoping, praying and trusting.
Thank God for Take 6.
Thank God for Committed.
Thank God for the Nativity School.
Durham Nativity School presents
4th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert featuring
COMMITTED
For tickets
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Committed-tickets/artist/1549906?brand=carolinathtr&camefrom=CFC_CTD_WEB
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