April 1, 2009 8:57 AM

Dave "Surprised" Before Springing Surprise

By
CBSNews
(CBS)  All week long, Dave Price has been knocking on the doors of families chosen as finalists in The Early Show's "Singing Family Face Off" competition, surprising them with the word that they'd been chosen.

Thursday was different -- because the features reporter and weather anchor found something -- unexpected -- waiting for him at the home of the fourth finalists to be announced, the Peays, four brothers from Greensboro. N.C.

Standing there, famous sign in hand, was Dave Sayer, the guy who also knocks on doors of homes, telling people they've won $5,000 a week from Publishers Clearing House.

Sayer was supposedly "rehearsing" for an upcoming notification.

And both Daves had a (mock) verbal set-to about who had the right to be there!

Finally, the Daves "settled" things with Sayer agreeing to join Price as he knocked on the Peays' door.

When the Peays emerged, one screaming with joy, Price broke the news everybody was wise to, anyhow: "You didn't win the Publishers Clearing House. That was all a little scam!"

But what's not a scam is the choice of the Peays for the finals of the "Face Off."

Taimine, Katif, Magid and Solomon Peay often sing a cappella, with their mom, Joyce Peay, behind them all the way.

Whether in church or at local 4-H gatherings, the Peay brothers have sung, together and often, most of their lives.

Joyce acts as their manager. Their father passed away when they were younger, but remains a big influence in their music.

Though they've grown older, the group continues to come together as often as every Sunday to perform at various local churches.

Magid, who sings base, is the eldest, recently married and is a new dad, to baby Naomi.

Katif, who sings first tenor, is studying for a Ph.D. at North Carolina A & T, where his youngest brother, Solomon, is a sophomore. Solomon is the group's songwriter and lead singer.

Taimine, the second tenor, has done much of the talking and scheduling for the group. He's also their drummer, when they go non-a capella!

Solomon, Katif and Tiamine all live in the family home in Greensboro. Magid, who sings base, lives nearby with his family, also in Greensboro.

The brothers were raised in the town of Roland, N.C., on the northeastern border with South Carolina. The boys remember growing up near and playing at "South of the Border," the Interstate 95 icon for fireworks sales and "Pedroland." A drive to Florida from the Northeast isn't complete without making the stop.

Joyce recently moved back to Roland, though the boys have been trying to coax her to stay closer to them.

Katif says, "We're singing in church every Sunday. We have several churches. We work with several youth choirs."

"Being the baby brother -- let's just say I have a bunch of -- teachers!" Solomon observed.

"A lot of groups fall off because of simple things," Taimine points out. " ... It makes it a lot easier being brothers," adding, "Mom is the thread that holds it all together. She's the one."

"If not for her," Katif agreed, "we probably wouldn't be singing."

Says Joyce, "I am proud of them, because they are living the life that they sing."

"I would hope everyone would see the love we have for each other and how our family just gets along," Katif adds.

Says Taimine, "I tell you, there's no one else I'd rather sing with."

Magid summed it all up by noting, "It's really is all about family."



The Early Show searched for months, going through hundreds of videos submitted by family bands, then narrowed the field to six finalists.

Each weekday morning from Feb. 16 through Feb. 23, Price will be surprising the six family finalists with the big news, live on The Early Show.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the competition begins with live performances in The Early Show studio. Vote for your favorite online each week! The winning family will be announced April 1.

At stake: a deal with CBS Records!

Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved.
Add a Comment See all 45 Comments
by jahnell1 April 1, 2009 9:25 AM EDT
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU, AND YOU ARE THE WINNERS IN OUR EYES. THIS IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE. YOU GUYS GOT THE EXPOSURE YOU NEEDED TO MAKE IT, AND YOU WILL PROBABLY DO BETTER WITH ANOTHER LABEL. LOOK AT JENNIFER HUDSON. SHE DIDN'T WIN THE AMERICAN IDOL COMPETITION, BUT SHE BLEW BEYONCE OUT OF THE WATER IN DREAM GIRLS. SO, GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS! WE LOVE Y'ALL AND HAVE A SAFE TRIP BACK TO THE N-C.
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by gowithflow March 31, 2009 3:51 PM EDT
No matter what the outcome is tomorrow, all of you will have successful careers in the
entertainment world. My prayer are will you and I am praying a victorious outcome.
Good luck and I know this is not the end.
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by jus4momi March 31, 2009 2:35 PM EDT
Guys we are so proud of you!!!! God bless and know that much love, support and prayers are with you and your family!!!!! Love ya, Lisa, Kendal, Konnor, and Kaleb
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by jahnell1 March 27, 2009 11:23 PM EDT
HI BOYS! MY FAMILY AND I ARE SO PROUD OF YOU, AND IN OUR EYES, YOU ARE THE WINNERS NO MATTER WHAT. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS AND BEST WISHES IN THE FUTURE.

MCCALLUM AND CARMICHAEL FAMILY
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by Ladylegend62 March 26, 2009 4:26 PM EDT
"Congratulations" 1st Fan

yo sistah in christ

Leslie Rice
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by zellkim March 25, 2009 4:17 PM EDT
AGAIN, GREAT JOB GUYS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU IN EVERYTHING YOU DO!!!!!
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by zellkim March 25, 2009 4:13 PM EDT
Hi guys great job, friends and family in ROWLAND are 100% behind you. I am so proud of all of you. Kimberly Brown
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by 1asherrilpittman March 25, 2009 11:09 AM EDT
hi you guys, you dont know me, and i dont know you either. but god is truly in the house. my name is sherril lee terry. my grandma name is lottie pittman she had four kids. issac,jacob,grady,and ellerwase. anyway i just learn of you guys. trust me i dont want anything from you, just only to get to know you. how i found out about you guys. i called to speak to ms.viola i found out she had died. but i talk to her daughter and she gave me some info, about the family. she told me that you guys would be on t.v. and i saw you and i thought you guys are so beautyiful. and you look just like my daddy. just to know i have family may be i dont have to feel alone. oh my goodness' you guys sound like angels. if u like to write me im also on tagged or my space or yahoo.com e-mail sherrilterry@yahoo.com im under the same name on all of them. i wish u all the best in the world. just promise me that when you do make it that your heads wont get to big. that you may for get where u come from. just want u to know. i love you guys love, hugs and kisses.
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by NORTHERNRELATIVES March 25, 2009 9:59 AM EDT
Congratulations guys, your cousins from D.C. and Maryland as well as your "brother" across the seas are rooting for you. Solomon, remember that "casio keyboard"..........
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by northwoodsrefugee March 25, 2009 9:04 AM EDT
I am also from a musical family, and I've got to say, you guys are TIGHT!!!!!! Good luck from SANITARY REFUSE....
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