Voices of Lee behind Rascal Flatts’, from left, Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus, during the recording of the CMA Country Christmas
Voices of Lee, Lee University’s elite A Cappella group, recorded a portion of the Country Music Association Country Christmas 2016 with Rascal Flatts at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Voices of Lee was recorded singing back-up for “Joy to the World” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” with Rascal Flatts. Along with Rascal Flatts, country singers such as Kelsea Ballerini, Brad Paisley, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, and Lee alum Jordan Smith were also a part of the Christmas special.
“What a great experience! We really enjoyed being a part of this Christmas special,” said Danny Murray, director of Voices of Lee.
TasteofCountry.com called the performance “a chill-inducing A Capella performance of ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ from Rascal Flatts, along with The Voice winner Jordan Smith who blew the audience away with an incredible take on ‘The Grinch’ classic, ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.’”
Voices of Lee was originally invited to perform background vocals for an A Cappella song on Rascal Flatts’ new Christmas album, but the excellent quality of their performance lead to an invitation to sing with Rascal Flatts during the recording of the Christmas special. Lee alum Jay DeMarcus is a member of Rascal Flatts and a close friend of Murray’s.
Voices of Lee is a 14-member A Cappella group that has been a part of Lee’s music department since 1994. The group was propelled into the spotlight on NBC’s season one of the Sing-Off in 2009. Since then Voices has been invited to sing at various festivals, including the Shang Hai International Music Festival.
The Christmas special will air on Monday, Nov. 28, at 8 p.m. on ABC.
For more information about Voices of Lee, email voices@leeuniversity.edu or call 614-8320.
Voices of Lee with Rascal Flatts at the Grand Ole Opry.