Enter the Kleenex.

Have you been watching The Alzheimer's Project on HBO? I think it's still in rotation (if not, it's available on HBO OnDemand). I'll paste below, too.

In the first episode, a 78-year-old man named Woody Geist reunites with the Grunyons, his a cappella singing group. Geist has been suffering from Alzheimer's for 14 years, and often doesn't recognize his own family. But the filmmakers capture him singing along with the Grunyons—the lyrics and vocal arrangements embedded in some untouchable corner of his mind. Clip is here, 49 minutes in. Heartbreaking.



Thank you to Mark for the tip.

'USA Today' discovers a cappella trend.

Thanks for the shout out!

PS: I didn't know you could write "ear rape" in USA Today.

Click here to read the story in today's paper.

Honda Cappella

Does someone at Honda love a cappella?

Because here's the new Prius campaign, featuring Petra Haden's "Let Your Love Flow":



And then there was this Honda ad, from two years back:

Just click on it.

NBC's 'Great American Sing-Off'

Details announced! NBC's a cappella competition show, now called The Great American Sing-Off, will premiere at Thanksgiving. Eight episodes. Eight a cappella groups—ranging in age from collegiate to geriatric. Want in?

For more info on applying, e-mail: Sing@McNultyCasting.com
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/TheSingOff.

Number 2 on iTunes?

Yup, the Glee a cappella-ish rendition of "Don't Stop Believin'."

Glee, Again.

Fox just announced that a Glee soundtrack, including a cappella renditions of "Don't Stop Believin'," will be up on iTunes. Sweet.
Read more here.

What a cappella people are Twittering about now.

Glee.

Glee premieres on Fox tomorrow night. I've seen it. Verdict: You'll love it.

Listen for the transitions between scenes which (on the preview copy, anyway) were scored with a cappella music. And then of course there's this:

Ball In The House on NBC.

Ball In the House, arguably the hardest working dudes in pro a cappella, try out for a slot on America's Got Talent. Hopefully they'll fare better than The Fault Line, an a cappella group that made it to primetime two years ago, before getting the boot.

The Funniest Thing I've Ever Seen.

There are no words. Watch a dude try to buy a house for his a cappella group. Effing amazing.

Wanna be on MTV?

Folks, MTV is in the midst of casting its a cappella competition show. Think your instrument-free music group is good enough to compete?

Here's all the info you'll need to apply, direct from the casting department at MTV. Who's submitting? Let me know in the comments.

Please note: The deadline is May 14. So get on it!

THE INFO:

MTV’s A CAPPELLA CASTING
Video Submission Instructions

Thanks for your interest in our MTV casting call. We’d love for you to submit a video audition so we can get a full sense of what makes your group special!

In the video, be creative and help us get a good feel for your group and what your lives are really like. PLEASE make sure the video images are clear and the audio is good!

Part I:

Perform one full song (in stage costume, with choreography if possible)—make sure it is a song that best highlights your group’s vocal abilities.

Part II:

Choose two or three members of the group to answer the following questions on tape (one of the members answering these questions should be a soloist):

• Start off by introducing yourself and the name of the group: “Hi my name is _______ and I’m a soloist with (Group Name).
• Tell us about being part of this A Capella group:
o How often do you guys have to rehearse?
o What are some of the challenges of being part of this group?
o What are the best things about it?
o Tell us a brief story about a funny, crazy, or nerve-wracking moment while being part of the group. (for example: you were stalked by fans after a performance or a rival group tried to sabotage you)
• How would you describe your group’s image?
• Tell us why you wanted to sing with this group and what the audition process was like for you.
• Why is being part of this group important to you? Do you want to become a professional singer?
• What are your group’s strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about any awards or competitions that the group has been a part of? (yes, this is the time to show off so go ahead and brag!)
• Tell us some things about your life outside the group – are you part of a sorority, are you aspiring to become a lawyer, are you dating the band leader (yes tell us all the good stuff & the drama if there is any!)
• What do you hope to gain from being on MTV?

Part III:
Now that you’ve finished your interview, send it to us on a DVD along with a group photo and contact information. Or you can send a video link via e-mail to: Sandra.Phillippeaux@mtvnmix.com

Send to:

Sandra Philippeaux
ATTN: MTV’s Acapella Casting
1515 Broadway, Office 2333
New York, NY 10036
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 14, 2009 (packages must arrive at MTV by this date)

Paste Magazine on A Cappella.

Paste magazine, a serious cred music mag, has got a nice piece on the Ben Folds a cappella album today. Folds goes track by track, discussing the album.

Check it out here.