And The "Singing Family" Winner IS...

"Face Off" Finalists "J4" And Peay Family Perform Together Before The Big Announcement

(CBS)  Before they learned who'd won, both finalists in the long-running Early Show "Singing Family Face Off" competition proved to be winners, performing together.

"J4" and the Peay family did a rousing rendition of "Dancing in the Street," by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

Then -- the big announcement by CBS Records Executive Vice President and General Manager Larry Jenkins, who said viewer voting was very close.

The winner of the competition, and its top prize -- a CBS Records deal -- was "J4."

After whooping it up, J4 launched into "I Think I Love You," originally from David Cassidy and The Partridge Family, and the song they performed in the finals last week.

"J4" is made up of four siblings, aged 7 to 15, all with names beginning with the letter "J," 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.

The Peay Family band consists of four brothers from Greensboro, N.C., who 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.

The competition's judges were on hand when the winner was announced. They were singer, actor and songwriter David Cassidy, singer/songwriter Kathy Sledge, performer and producer Jermaine Dupri, and choreographer-stylist Tanisha Scott.

All lauded the talent of, and offered advice to both the Peays and J4.

The "Face Off" 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 got it down to two the families, the Peays and "J4."

Both did their thing on the show last week, in the competition's finals.

And then viewers had their final say, by voting on The Early Show Web site.

[MaPeay]

On behalf of the Peay Family, I would like to say thanks to CBS and all the competing families in the Singing Family Faceoff. Just being on that stage makes us all winners. We loved working with each family, all of us unique in our own way yet alike in the sense that we all were brought together as family through our love of music. This was a wonderful experience for my family and I'm sure it was for the other families as well. CBS was a great host and I thoroughly enjoyed working with them. From stage to greenroom we were treated with kindness and respect. From a small town family like ours, it felt good to be accommodated on such a grand level. Our every need was met and we didn't want for much. They made us feel right at home. We would also like to especially thank all of our supporters for their hard work and diligence throughout this entire experience. We love you all, God loves you and your works will not go unnoticed. To J4, the Oswald family and the Lorentzen family it was truly a pleasure meeting you all and you will always have a friend in the Peay Family.

Thanks again to everyone,
Mother Joyce Peay

[volfanatic]

P.S. CBS would be crazy to let the Peays out of their contractual obligations. They will be retained by CBS. They are very deserving and I'm sure have already been contacted by CBS records. Both final groups showed the amazing versatility that got them to the finals. Sheer talent is what propelled them both the place they are. Great job all around!!

[volfanatic]

To all who make the charge of this contest being rigged: that is asinine and ignorant, and that is being kind. To be sure, the voting process was not scientific, but it was equally flawed. Maybe the other groups simply didn't have as big of a support and fan base, but just maybe, Early Show viewers liked the winners better. What a novel concept!! To make the charge that all the others that were voted off were "more talented" is absurd and the epitome of stupidity. They were all very talented, but were handcuffed by the rules and lists of songs given to them by CBS. Sore losers always see things through conspiratorial lenses and fling charges with no facts or evidence. Just get over it.

[alleystone]

Yeah!!!!! So happy for J4... I am a little biased since I've known distant family members of theirs my whole life down here in Florida. However, the Peays and several other groups were great too! I am saddened by some of the rude comments left on this page, it's sad that you would want to hurt the feelings of people doing what they love and sharing the gifts God gave them. I wonder if these rude comments were made by people that have singing experience. We have to remember that J4 are KIDS... their voices haven't fully developed yet.... on the other side, they are all talented instrumentally... and that is obvious when they play. They love music... and enjoy sharing it with others! I heard both of their parents sing more than 20 years ago and they are both VERY talented as well... but they put the focus on their kids, they wanted them to use their talents (God Given) and to go through this experience no matter what happened! Check out their mom's blog at www.j4family.com... I think you will find their family to be very humble and loving. I hope their example will be shown to the world!

I am so glad that these kids future has been changed by this competition and pray that God will continue to be glorified in everything they do... I also pray for them to KNOW WHO THEY ARE and WHERE THEY ARE FROM.... and that the not so nice words from others do not discourage them. It doesn't matter whether they ever become famous as long as their heart is in the right place!

I also pray that the other groups will continue developing their passion with music and that they will be given opportunities to share those talents with the world!

[rankinMCC]

Both groups did an amazing job and my family and friends really enjoyed watching a fun, positive competition that resulted in great publicity of two very talented groups!

[4tnvols]

I would like to say Congratulations to both J4 and the Peays. Nobody was a loser here. I would love to see a single of Dancing in the Streets just like they sang it yesterday morning. I loved the parts where both sang about their hometowns. I loved the interaction between both families. Great song to combine the two. As for all the comments I have read, I really hope the kids do not take those hurtful comments serious. There is no need in anyone whether you win or lose to talk about someone like that.

[krmitchell]

Congratulation J4 !! You all are awesome, I've enjoyed watching you four sing. You are a very talented family and you should be very proud. For mom and dad you have a very lovely family and you deserve a pat on the back. Your children are very beautiful and gifted in many ways, God Bless You! You've both done a wonderful job with you'll children raising and teaching them everthing they know. I look forward to hearing your music in the future to share with my children. May God keep all Blessing your family .

[wigzel]

Congrats to both groups. I grew up with the Peays and they are great guys with a strong mother leading by example. Regardless of the outcome, I'm glad they were afforded the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. I believe good things are on the way for them as a result of their gifts and humbleness. All the best to both groups.

[vtfan90]

Shame, shame on you people. This is what shames me about America...showing your ugliness when things don't go your way. Saying ugly, hurtful things about children is just so wrong on so many levels! And one person even brought up that this could be race related. Give me a break. The group that lost was gracious and kind to the winners...you should watch and learn from example.

I think all the children were adorable! I love red headed kids. Did you stop to think that these children and their families will read these comments and how do you think that will make them feel? What if these were your children and people wrote ugly things about them? How would you feel?

I say congratulations to both groups for a well done job and to CBS for running this contest. It was a breath of fresh air from all the political news that you hear on the other networks every morning. It's nice to see a Christian family who give all the glory and honor to Christ. Thanks to CBS for not snubbing them because of it. These are the kind of role models we need for our children and teens to look up too.

[volfanatic]

Also keep in mind that these groups were all amateurs, singing on LIVE TELEVISION before millions of viewers. Sure, they were "pitchy" but don't think for a moment that the Peays weren't as off pitch or more and consistently so. Jedidiah from J4 was the only one on pitch because he has perfect pitch from what I understand. Amateurs can turn into professionals; it's called talent, ability and hard work! These groups are right there. Both were great and deserving of the praise received, and have great futures ahead. And more importantly, they praise their Creator for their opportunities!