For Nashville-based sextet Street Corner Symphony, losing NBC's a cappella competition The Sing-Off turned out to be the group's biggest victory.
We got the best deal that we could have possibly got
high tenor John Martin said of coming in second. We got all the exposure we got all of the support ... but we can go out and tour with Ben Folds and we don't have to clear it with a bunch of people first.
Street Corner Symphony will join Sing-Off judge Folds for eight dates of his Lonely Avenue Tour, including tonight's at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
Opening for Folds is an unexpected achievement for the singers - Martin, bass Adam Chance, baritone Richie Lister, tenors Jeremy Lister and Jon McLemore, and operatic baritone Mark McLemore - who joined voices in May 2010 for the sole objective of competing on the show.
Though the group boasts two sets of brothers, the members come from various corners of the southeastern U.S. and had the added challenge of becoming acquainted while competing.
At first
we were getting to know each other vocally
but it didn't take long to begin understanding how everyone's mind works
Mark McLemore said. We've become really efficient both in learning music and in dealing with each other.
Since losing to Alabama gospel group Committed during the Sing-Off finale, Street Corner Symphony had no difficulty maintaining a fan base. The group recently sold out its first post-Sing-Off shows at Nashville club Exit/In, a difficult task for any rock band - let alone one without instruments.
They sold out two shows in a row and killed it
said Folds, who was in attendance. It was so exciting; there were people lined up down the street. It's the kind of show you don't see that often.
After touring with Folds, Street Corner Symphony plans to release a live recording of its first Nashville show before working on a studio album consisting of both cover songs and originals. But because the group didn't win the coveted prize of $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract, there's still much work to be done.
It gives us a lot more to do
but it sets us up for the kind of success that we would really like
Martin said. We made it ourselves
we did all the work
and we didn't have to rely on somebody handing us this. ... It just makes it more meaningful.
After all, the six soulful southerners - five of whom are preachers' sons - said they are grateful they made it past the second round of competition, let alone second place.
I always go back to what Ben said at the finale
