Peays, "J4" Face Off In Finals

Early Show's "Singing Family" Competition In Hands Of Viewers; CBS Records Deal At Stake

(CBS)  It began months ago, when roughly 700 videos of family bands performing were submitted by Early Show viewers.

We narrowed the field to six and, after weeks of head-to-head performances, viewer / voters have it down to two families -- the Peays and "J4" -- in our "Singing Family Face Off" competition.

Both did their thing on the show on Wednesday in the competition's finals.

And now, viewers have their say, by clicking on the form beneath the photo on the left, to vote.

At stake: a contract with CBS Records.

The Peay Family band is made up of four brothers from Greensboro, N.C. Taimine, Katif, Majid and Solomon Peay frequently sing a cappella, with their mom, Joyce Peay, behind them all the way.

Whether in church or at local 4-H gatherings, the Peays 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.

"J4" is comprised of four siblings, aged seven-to-fifteen, from the Smith family of rural Bluff City, Tenn. The oldest two have played for a couple of years for services at the church across the street from their home, where their dad, Mark, is pastor.What does "J4" mean? Simple: Jessi, 15, plays guitar and violin and sings; Jedidiah (also known as Jeddi), 13, plays drums and piano; Josiah, 8, plays violin and guitar and sings backup; and Josephine, 7, plays keyboard.

The competition's judges were on hand for the finals, of course: singer, actor and songwriter David Cassidy, singer/songwriter Kathy Sledge, performer and producer Jermaine Dupri, and choreographer-stylist Tanisha Scott.

Both groups selected songs to do in the finals from a list compiled by the show.

J4's choice: a tune first done by the group Cassidy was in -- "I Think I Love You" -- originally from David Cassidy and The Partridge Family:



The Peays picked "I Just Want To Celebrate," by Rare Earth:



Voting continues through 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.

The winner will be announced on the show the next day, Wednesday, April 1.

[ceddy74]

The Peays, by far , were the better group. They had a more mature sound and the intonation, rhythm, and overall musicality of the group were light years better than J4. The deserved to win and unfortunately that was not the outcome. It is my hope that they wil be afforded a better opportuity to advance.

[gapcreekgranny]

Congradulations J4!

[IndianCreekMarket]

J4, you all have such amazing talent together and individually and we have no doubt you will go far with your music. Thanks to your parents for exposing you all to music and allowing you to share your awesome musical talent with us all. We are so proud of you and wish you the best. Love from all your fans at Indian Creek Market.

[musicfan01]

Way to go J4!

[musicfan01]

Both groups did a great job last Wednesday. However J4 just blew me away. These kids did a outstanding performance and are truly talented group. May they keep using their talents to praise GOD. J4 you have my vote!! Good luck Wednesday

[Blessings2009]

Wow! What an awesome experience! Both J4 & the Peays deserve the best future available...We think of you all as heroes in a time without many. Thanks, CBS, for being a guiding light in the dim area of TV broadcasting. Keep up the positive influence & may God bless....B & AJ

[mkennedy04142007]

J4- You guys were AWESOME!!!!! I pray that you all go a long way in the future. You definitely have my vote. Good luck and GOD BLESS!!!!!

[banks711]

Both groups were good, but the Peays really put on a show! You guys are ready for prime time. Like J D said "It's record time". Time to hear yall on some records!! Keep up the hard work and outstanding performances!! I had my co-workers watching and you won their votes as well. It do what it do baby.

[Mamajanerush]

J4--we think you are great. We hope and pray that you win--not only because you are very talented but also because of the POSITIVE influence you could have with the young people of today. They need a role model that they can respect and look up to and I know you can set the example they need. May God bless you and your family, mj

[Tomeka0482]

I have really been impressed by the amount of talent of all who got to "show it off" and even to the ones who were not selected. May God bless all who endured this and may they keep their heads up, even if they didn't win, and keep on pressing on for the higher calling. Even my vote goes to the Peay family, I still admire the J4's for a job well done.



Shirley from Longview, Texas

[volfanatic]

Truly a blessing to hear such talent by two incredible families. Peay's put forth their best to date, and J4 blew me away. Both families deserve the blessings of God for putting themselves out there as role models and using their talents for His glory. May God's will be done, but you're both winners. Honestly, my vote goes to J4, but the Peays are very deserving as well.

[Mamajanerush]

J4---we think you are great. We do hope and pray that you win---not only because you are so talented but also because of the POSITIVE influence you could have with our young people today. They so need role models that they can respect and look up to and we know you will set the example they need. May God bless you and your family. MJ

[KarenRumley]

J4 blew it off the charts this morning! WOW!!!! Jeddi...like David said...you were as perfect as if you had recorded it! Jesse you rocked on backup and the guitar--bass...Josiah...how do YOU do it??? How can you learn drums in a few days time and play like you have alway done it? Sophie...loved loved loved your solo! You are all so talented and that is what will spring you forward in this contest! Peay's should be proud and I am so glad you have such wonder guys to compete with in the contest. This is not a place to down anyone because both bands are awesome. I am so proud of J4 and our community is a closer group because of you! I have everyone at JCMC sending votes your way! J4 is awesome!!!!! Chris, Nick and Jordan's mom...

[bremcbryde]

THE PEAYS ARE AN OUTSTANDING GROUP OF TALENTED MEN THEY DESERVE THIS AND MY VOTE GOES TO THEM!!!!!

[hechaney]

My wife (Doris Wetherholt) when she was a little girl used to set on her grandpa Sherman Stockwell's knee will he played the fiddle. He was your great,great grandpa. Great job you guys.

[rgp296]

j4 you have my vote. you will go far in life.

[sallys1]

Way to go J-4!!!!! Hope you remember US ...your fans! When you go big time! I am rooting you on. You have my vote. Good Luck !!!!!!!!!!!

[MainelyME]

Everyone should be sure to vote it's not good enough to just say J4 is great but vote, vote, vote.

[phyllisd1]

j4 you guys were great!! you have my vote. good luck in the future , you have great talent!! we will be rooting for you!

[ProudTennessean]

Way to go, J4!!!!!! You rock! You are so deserving of your time in the Sun. I only hope we get to see more of you in the future. We have had a lot of fun watching your performances during these past few weeks - and we have found ourselves eagerly awaiting Wednesdays so we coud see what you brought to the stage next. God Bless you - and your family, too - for sharing you with us!