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For those who couldn't listen to the interview live, you can check it out here.

(CBS) Early Show "Singing Family Face Off" is kicking into high gear. The competition will take place over the next three weeks and the judges are some of the biggest names in music.

The celebrity judges stopped by The Early Show to chat with Early Show co-anchors Julie Chen and Harry Smith.

The first judge is David Cassidy. He played teen idol Keith Partridge with that famous singing family from the '70s, "The Partridge Family."

Judge number two is Kathy Sledge (a.k.a. Sister Sledge). Along with her sisters, she first reached the top of the charts with the number one hit, "We Are Family."

Judge number three is Jermaine Dupri. He has produced some of the biggest names in the recording industry - from Usher to Mariah Carey. And when he was just 19 years old, Kriss Kross.

"Describe the ups and downs of working with family?" Chen asked.

"Well, I had the pleasure when I was about 19 of working with my stepmother, who was from a totally different genre where I was - Shirley Jones. Correct, Academy Award winner," Cassidy said. "And being on television, I was the only guy that was actually singing and playing. As you probably remember, or those of you who don't, it was a while ago. I had been playing in rock 'n roll bands and garage bands and stuff, but I was an actor and got cast as an actor. So, she was incredibly supportive. She had been on the cover of 'Life' magazine and everything when she was 19."

Cassidy has just finished working for the first time with his brother, Patrick. The two have a new series on another network and are still playing music and singing.

"How was it for you? Working with family?" Smith asked Sledge.

"The downs first or the ups?" Sledge joked. "Really, 'We Are Family,' the song was written about us. And what can I say? I love my sisters."

"How psyched are you for this competition?" Smith then asked Dupri.

"I mean, I want to see it. I work with kids all the time. I'll be the one that's a little tough on them," Dupri said.

"Do you think there's real talent out there?" Smith asked.

"Very few," Cassidy said.

"Especially with families because I think they're really close family harmonies that you'll hear. This is going to be exciting. There's a lot of talent," Sledge said.

"And there's a lot of ways now for all of us to be able to see what talent is out there by YouTube and everything else. There's some great acts that are broken that way. I just saw a little tease of the four African American girls, who are fantastic. I know there's a lot of talent out there," Cassidy said.


The Early Show searched for months, going through hundreds of videos submitted by family bands, then narrowed the field to six finalists.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, the competition begins with live performances in The Early Show studio. Vote for your favorite online each week! The winning family will be announced April 1.

[Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/24/earlyshow/series/singingfamily_faceoff/main4824109.shtml]

Article in the Philadelphia Inquirer
Kathy Sledge hit it big with "We Are Family." Today, she manages artists - and the credo still holds true.

By Kristin E. Holmes
Inquirer Staff Writer

"WE ARE FAMILY"
Sister Sledge
Cotillion/Atlantic (1979)
R&B (Single)

2008 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame(R) Inductees Announced

The Recording Academy Lourdes Lopez, 310-392-3777 The Recording Academy(R) announced the newest additions to its GRAMMY Hall Of Fame(R), adding 70 recordings to a timeless list that now includes 798 titles. The Hall Of Fame serves as a celebration and reminder of the triumphs and achievements of the recording arts. Selections are drawn from all categories of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Recording Academy has become renowned.

"The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame is one of The Academy's most prized endeavors, spotlighting recorded musical masterpieces that have significantly impacted our musical history," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This year's inductees span nine decades and represent a diverse array of genres from classical and show tunes to blues, jazz and rock and roll. They exemplify the best qualities that make the recording arts such a vital part of our culture -- and each not only uniquely reflects the zeitgeist of its time, but also possesses the enduring power of transcending time."

The selections range from 1905's "Give My Regards To Broadway" by Billy Murray to Michael Jackson's 1982 album Thriller. Sixteen of the new entries came from the classical field including such recordings as Arturo Toscanini's 1953 Verdi: Otello, Otto Klemperer's 1963 Mahler: Symphony No. 2, Arthur Fiedler's 1935 Gade: "Jalousie," Vladimir Horowitz's 1932 Liszt: Sonata In B Minor and Arthur Nikisch's 1914 Beethoven: Symphony No. 5. Other recordings also chosen this year include the Mamas & The Papas' "Monday Monday," the Beatles' "Help!," Marian Anderson's "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," Cabaret -- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Dionne Warwick's "Alfie," Jackie DeShannon's "What The World Needs Now Is Love," Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird," and Louis Armstrong's "St. Louis Blues." Other artists with selections include Fred Astaire, Pink Floyd, Etta James, Billy Joel, the Police, Frank Sinatra, Sister Sledge, Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson.

The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame was created in 1973 to honor recordings of lasting significance that were issued prior to the 1958 inception of the GRAMMY Awards. The Hall is now open to any recording that has been in release for at least 25 years. New submissions are chosen annually by a special member committee of experts and historians drawn from all branches of the recording arts. Their recommendations are approved by the Board of Trustees of The Recording Academy. The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame is unique in that it is open to all genres of music -- popular as well as specialized forms.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

For a complete list of GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees or 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards (broadcast live on Feb. 10, 2008 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network), please go to www.grammy.com/Press/.

The Recording Academy(R) Honors Timeless Recordings, from ''It
Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)'' to ''Roxanne''

Sister Sledge Albums reissued on Wounded Bird Records

Thanks to L. Murray for the info. :)

This compilation will feature tracks previously not released on CD...
Here's the link to the info.
VH1.com