Team Lachey entertains Gov, statehouse

Photo by Dave Isaacs, Ohio House Democratic Caucus

Jon Craig reports from Columbus:

Statehouse halls came alive today with the sound of Team Cincinnati (sometimes known as Team Lachey).

Gov. Ted Strickland, former U.S. Sen. John Glenn and state Rep. Dale Mallory of Cincinnati found the local choir so inspiring, they kept asking for more “samples of their work,’’ as Glenn put it.

Nine members of the 20-member ensemble -- led to a nationally-televised “Clash of the Choirs” victory Dec. 20 by College Hill native Nick Lachey – were honored at the governor’s office.
Strickland, swaying from side to side as he entered his office, said, “Do we get to hear a little music? I heard they know how to sing.”

(When Lachey is not with the group - like today - they go by the name Team Cincinnati)

They sang Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.’’

“You’re very proud aren’t you?” Strickland said to Mallory. “If you’re going to sing another one, I’ll bring some of the staff in.’’

About a dozen of Strickland’s aides listened to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.’’

Reaching for something in the distance

So close you can almost taste it

Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin

“Incredible,’’ Strickland said. “In fact, they’ll do it again,’’ encouraging the Cincinnatians to repeat “Wonderful World.’’

Then, Sen. Glenn arrived for a meeting but asked, “Can we get samples of their work?”

“We’re running late, but you can give the senator a sample of your work,’’ Strickland said.

“Oh my God…an honor,” the singers said before breaking out into another round of “Wonderful World.”

The former astronaut told the choir they had “perfect resonance, the ring. You got it.”

Team Lachey is expected to sing -- again -- when the Ohio House convenes about 1:30 today, where Mallory, D-West End, will present a resolution thanking them for their NBC victory that won $250,000 for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center during a live four-night television contest.

“Thank you so much. You guys delivered,’’ Mallory said. “That was a heck of a contest. . . I know that it’s a team effort.”

Live video of this afternoon’s House session can be found here