Thoughts as we were announced the winners of COTC

So Tracy Morgan announces that we won Clash of the Choirs.  I know I jumped up in the air, almost falling off the risers.  From that moment until we ended up in the dressing room are somewhat of a blur.  I know I was hugging everyone in sight.  I couldn’t believe it.  At first, I thought “This was meant to be”.  I know that’s cliche, but it’s the truth.  This whole experience was so surreal, so perfect.  Before I even tried out, my sister Jackie and I were talking about if I should audition or not.  She said “This is the reality show for you”, and I believed it.  Back to the show.  At one point I looked over at the members of Patti LaBelle’s team.   I thought of something one of their members told me.  He said “We are jealous of your choir, not because you may win, but because you lived the experience we all thought we were signing up for.  You were a choir.  You sang many different types of songs.  When I auditioned, I thought that’s what I was going to get.”  Then I saw the rest of my choir, standing in the middle of the stage, with the other 4 choirs around us, smiling and crying and yelling and praising God and Jesus.  I prayed more that week than I have in 5 years.  I looked in the audience and saw everyone smiling and cheering.  I got off stage as the show ended, and started running towards the exit.  Turning on my iPhone, I had 17 text messages and 12 voicemails.  Had to call my parents first.  Then Jackie.  Then Beth.  Then Brad.  Didn’t think Bob would answer his phone, so that’s why I called Brad (sorry Loafy, I know you did the site and all, but if I didn’t call my family first, I’d have been shot).  Couldn’t hear very well, nor could I talk since I had been screaming onstage (speaking of, my voice is still shot and it’s 4 days later).  Backstage on the way up to our dressing rooms, I started running down the halls.  Found about ten other members of Team Lachey heading up to our dressing room.  I said we should sing something.  And since all the dressing rooms are about in the same area of the building, we pick WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.  Take that, Patti.  We screamed that singing down the halls.  Ended up outside our dressing room, where a camera from Access Hollywood was there waiting to take interviews (Maria works for that show).  We go inside, sing some more, then Nick shows up, and we sing for him on camera.  Cameras turn off, and leave, and Nick has the floor.  He looks at us and says “Guys, I love you so much.  This whole experience has been magical.  I never thought I would say this, but you taught me what it’s like to love music.  I’ve been in this business for ten years.  This choir has renewed my faith in what music can do.  I love you so much, and just know that I have gained 20 new friends throughout this thing.  Now, get dressed because we gotta go party on the boat”.  HOLLA.  Next post …