Jordin Sparks & D.C. Media VIPs Sound-Off Against Child Abuse; Capitol CAREaoke Sing-Off Raises Thousands!

NORTHWEST -- It might have been the soulful and melodic voice of R&B/pop singer Jordin Sparks who guests most wanted to hear last night, but it was the off-key wailing and humorous dancing on behalf of some of the District’s more prominent media personalities that kept them in their seats grinning until the very end, during the 2012 installment of Capitol CAREaoke.

94.7 Fresh FM’s Tommy McFLY, Kelly Collis, and Jen Richer opened the event with The B52’s ‘Love Shack’.
Established more than six years ago by Washington Business Tonight ABC7 anchor Rebecca Cooper, Capitol CAREaoke has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for children over the years, including well over $18,000 on Wednesday evening’s silent auction items alone (final numbers are still coming in but will be dramatically higher).

Team MIX 107.3 performed the Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’.
The competition pits teams of well know media teams and D.C. notables against one another in a friendly battle royal, with the end goal being for each team to raise the most amount of money possible from audience members.

The Scene Setters.
Recognizing their somewhat meek singing skills, participants were quick to leverage a variety of tricks and props in order to provide themselves with the competitive upper hand. The opening act from 94.7 Fresh FM, for example, tossed neon Frisbees into the audience while ‘super group’ The Scene Setters all sported blonde wigs and beauty sashes (except the sole male team member who just happened to be a NASCAR driver).

Team CNN.

The FOX News ‘ringers’ jamming to Journey.
But it was perhaps FOX News who played the most underhanded trick by enlisting the two adorable daughters of correspondent Jennifer Griffin, as the band’s bassists, to tug at the heartstrings of listeners. The ploy naturally worked with FOX News playfully besting rival CNN in their annual sub-competition to raise the most funds.

Senator and Mrs. Jon Kyl.
Last night also served double duty as a recognition ceremony of sorts, with Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl and his wife, Caryll Collins Kyl, both honored with a ‘Decades of Dedication Award’ on behalf of Childhelp for their tireless support of children over the years.

The WJLA/ABC 7 team performing Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’.
Serving as a departure from last year’s event which boasted mostly ‘amateur’ singing talent, yesterday’s competition also featured three live performances by Sparks, including a tribute to the late Whitney Houston.

Jordin Sparks Performs Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’.
Sparks was more than just an entertainer for the night, however, with the promise of the opportunity to sing with the sixth season winner of American Idol raking-in $16,000 during the live auction component of the program.

Jordin Sparks and Capitol CAREaoke founder Rebecca Cooper.
As Cooper said midway through the evening, “It [was] brutal to watch but fun to see!”

Jordin Sparks Performs Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party in the U.S.A.’
Jordin Sparks Opened with Natalie Grant’s ‘Finally Home’.
The FOX News team performed Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.
Team WJLA/ABC7 performed Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’.
The Scene Setters performed the Eagles’ ‘Life in the Fast Lane’.
Councilmember Jack Evans braved the stage solo with Bobby Darin’s ‘Mack the Knife’.