Hearing the "Glory" in their "Voices"

Just got back from seeing Highland's favorite singing siblings, the Voices of Glory.

The Coles (seen here from left, Michael, Nadia and Avery) performed their second show in Dutchess County in less than 24 hours, singing at the New Hackensack Reformed Church in the Town of Wappinger; they sang in Rhinebeck last night. The shows were part of the Rhinebeck Choral Club's 65th anniversary celebration, and the Voices of Glory were the club's guest artists. The Voices of Glory, who were competing on NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent" this time last year, proved why they finished fifth overall out of some 100,000 acts that auditioned for the competition.

Having interviewed the Voices of Glory several times over the past year, including earlier in the week for a story promoting their local appearances, I'd never seen the trio sing in person. Sure, I'd watched them perform on "AGT" last summer, but seeing them in person was a totally different experience.

Between belting out Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All" to a stirring rendition of "God Bless America," among others, each of the singers displayed their powerful voices, which filled the room.
Earlier in the week, Nadia told me of all the songs the group performs, "Greatest Love of All" is her favorite.

"I just enjoy that song," she said. "It's telling people never to give up, and that you have to love yourself and don't let anyone else bat you down."

Listening to the Rhinebeck Choral Club sing uplifting tunes — everything from John Lennon's "Imagine" to "The Rainbow Connection" — a treat enough. Add in the inspirational Voices of Glory, and we had a great afternoon for a great cause, as today's performance (as was last night's in Rhinebeck) benefited the Cole family.

With the Coles traveling the country, pursuing their careers and soon to release their debut CD, it was great to take in one of their appearances and see firsthand how Michael, Avery and Nadia touch so many of the people for whom they sing.

It's been a Glory-ous summer

I just got to talk with two-thirds of Voices of Glory, less than two weeks before they compete for the "America's Got Talent" title.After singing the national anthem at tonight's Highland H.S. football game, I chatted with Avery (left) and Michael Cole (right) for a few moments — lil' sister Nadia was at home — about their summer on the show.

"It has been really exciting, just going this far," Avery said. "We're looking forward to the rest of the show."

The singing Coles have become a national phenomenon, reaching the talent competition's finals, which will be televised live on NBC on Sept. 14th. Michael, Avery and Nadia are headed back to Los Angeles on Tuesday to prepare for the championship round. They're not sure what their final song will be yet because "there's a lot of collaboration" between the acts and the show's producers, said Michael, a senior at Highland H.S.

If you know about the Coles' back-story, you can't help but root for them to win. They've been inspiring millions of viewers since this fourth season of the show debuted earlier this summer.
Michael said it's been great to hear so many encouraging words, especially when they come from those close to home in Highland.

"It's been really heart-warming to come home to a nice environment, such as Highland," he said, "and be able to see a lot of familiar faces who are supportive of you."

I'll be writing a full story about Michael, Avery and Nadia next week in the Poughkeepsie Journal, so be sure to check out our Web site.

"Voices" will share their "Glory"

From Highland to Branson, the Voices of Glory are definitely on their way to stardom.
The Ulster County-based group (Michael, Nadia and Avery Cole, seen here from left to right) will release their debut, self-titled CD on June 6, and they'll begin their show in Branson, Missouri, and subsequent national thereafter.

The Coles will also be performing locally at Rhinebeck High School and New Hackensack Reformed Church on June 12 at 8 p.m. and June 13 at 3 p.m., respectively. General admission tickets will cost $10 each, while students will get in for $8 apiece. Their performances are part of the Rhinebeck Choral Club’s program, “Music For A Better World." (You can click here for information on the shows.) I'm working with the Voices of Glory's management to speak with Michael, Avery and Nadia before the release of their CD, so stay here for the latest on the group.

If you've missed any of my "Sean's Space" coverage of the Voices of Glory — from their rise though "America's Got Talent" to the recording of their CD — simply click here to catch up!

"Voices" warming up their voices

They might have just recently signed a record deal, but the Voices of Glory sure look comfortable in a recording studio.
Yesterday, the Coles' manager sent me this pic of Michael (left), Nadia (center) and Avery (right) in the studio, no doubt getting ready to record their album, which is scheduled for a summer release.

In case you missed the story about the Voices of Glory and their busy 2010 schedule in today's Poughkeepsie Journal, feel free to click here to read it.

To keep up with the Coles, you can check out their official Web site or their very own Twitter page.

Voices of Glory hitting the road

Check out Sunday's edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal for my story about the Highland singing group, Voices of Glory.
After meeting both Michael and Avery Cole last September, I was able to talk with all three of the Voices recently, including 10-year-old Nadia, about their future plans.

“We have to just enjoy it while the time is here,” said 17-year-old Michael, seen on the left. “We want to do this while the iron is hot.”

In case you missed my recent post, the Voices of Glory have a jam-packed 2010 scheduled, coming off their successful summer on NBC's talent competition, "America's Got Talent." Following a fifth-place showing on "Talent" in which they became America's feel-good story of the summer, the Coles will get to perform live for thousands of their new fans over the coming months. Pick up Sunday's Journal for the latest details.

One of the Coles' fans, my mom, took in a recent local concert of theirs. She said she had a great time, and even got to meet the Voices after the show!

Raising their "Voices" for "Glory"

Of all places, I found this flyer in the break room here at the Poughkeepsie Journal today.

In case you missed my earlier post, Highland's Voices of Glory will sing at a pair of local performances this weekend. The shows — Saturday's is in Rhinebeck, Sunday's is in Wappingers Falls — will mark the first time the group (17-year-old Michael Cole, 14-year-old Avery Cole and 10-year-old Nadia Cole) has been back in the Hudson Valley since March. The shows are part of the Rhinebeck Choral Club's 65th anniversary celebration; they will also serve as benefits for the for Cole family, which has moved to Branson, Mo., to pursue their singing careers. The Voices of Glory, you might remember, placed fifth overall in last season's edition of the NBC show "America's Got Talent."

I spoke with the Cole siblings earlier this week, and they were thrilled to come back to the Hudson Valley.

"They're still our No. 1 supporters," Michael told me. "I just can't wait to get back."
Check out tomorrow's edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal or our website to read my full story on the Coles and this weekend's upcoming performances.

Look! It's the Voices of Glory story

Be sure to check out Sunday's Poughkeepsie Journal for my story on the Voices of Glory.

I interviewed Michael, Avery and Nadia Cole last month, and they were extremely excited about the future that lies ahead of them. The Highland siblings' successful stint on NBC's "America's Got Talent" last summer — they placed fifth overall, btw — established the ground work for several opportunities that will take the Coles' singing skills to thousands of fans ... if not more! The singers have already played several venues throughout the East Coast in recent weeks, and they have even more (and bigger) plans in the works, and you can read all about them in Sunday's Journal.

In case you missed any earlier "Sean's Space" posts about the Voices of Glory, you can click here.

The new CD by the V.O.G.

While perusing the Internet just now, I came across the next chapter in a local feel-good story.

I was reading the most recent post on the Voices Of Glory's official Twitter page when this pic caught my eye. The group — that's the Highland siblings Michael Cole, Avery Cole and Nadia Cole — is using this pic as their Twitter avatar, and it looks a lot like what might be a CD cover ... perhaps their upcoming debut release? (As I mentioned two months ago, the group has been recording their first CD, which the Cole told me they expected to release this summer.) Turns out, a glimpse at the Coles' official Web site revealed indeed this is their first album.

In case you missed any of the Coles' success story — from their background in Highland to their skyrocketing rise to fame on "America's Got Talent" — just click here for a refresher course.

Their Glory-ous "Talent" is rewarded

The feel-good story of 2009 has continued in the opening days of 2010.Highland's Voices of Glory — the Cole siblings Michael, Avery and Nadia — have been signed to the Tate Music Group a record label, the first step in an ambitious schedule that will take them all across America.

"Our partnership with Voices of Glory will definitely make an impact," Brianne Webb, TMG's director of music acquisitions, said in a statement, "and we are excited to see what the future of this partnership produces."

The Voices of Glory shot to stardom this past summer, reaching the final round of NBC's "America's Got Talent" show. I spoke with Michael and Avery back in September when they were home for a few days before flying back to the West Coast for the season finale, in which they placed fifth overall. Just as much as their singing ability, the Coles won over America's hearts with their back story: They began singing together after their mother, Felicia, was hit head-on by a drunk driver in 20007.

In addition to setting up both their own Web site and an official Twitter page, the Voices of Glory have more opportunities ahead of them.

According to TMG officials, the Coles will sing the national anthem at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 18th before the NY Knicks host the Detroit Pistons; they'll embark on a 48-state tour in the spring; they'll likely release their debut CD over the summer; and they'll headline their own show in Branson, Missouri, home of countless other wholesome, family-friendly acts like the Oak Ridge Boys, the Osmonds and the Dutton family, who also gained fame on an earlier season of "America's Got Talent."