A cappella group Committed, winners of the 2010 season of NBC’s musical competition “The Sing-Off,” headlined Carolina Productions’ Jingle Jam 2013 Wednesday night in the Russell House ballroom.
But the six-man group was down to five when their bass vocalist Geston Pierre missed his flight to the show.
To fill the empty spot, Sam Orr, a first-year political science student and beat-boxer for opening a cappella group the Carolina Gentlemen, was given the surprise chance to perform onstage with Committed.
“It’s mind blowing,” Orr said. “I’d been watching their videos for a while on YouTube when I found out they won ‘The Sing-Off.’”
Orr says he got together with the group’s members and learned the bass parts to four songs right before the show.
“I was incredibly nervous, but once you get up there you get a little more comfortable,” Orr said. “It’s so much fun.”
The Carolina Gentlemen and co-ed a cappella group Cockappella also performed a variety of hits and holiday tunes at the annual concert.