Straight No Chaser (group)
For the collegiate group formerly known as Straight No Chaser see Another Round (group).
Straight No Chaser (SNC) is the name of a professional acappella group, which originated in 1996 at Indiana University. In 2006, a 1998 video of "The 12 Days of Christmas," gained widespread popularity and subsequently led to a five-album record deal with Atlantic Records in 2008. The YouTube video has been viewed over 15 million times.[1]
History
The group formed in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Together the 10 students -- Dan Ponce (the founder), Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, Mike Itkoff, Patrick Hachey, and Kevin Carroll, became Straight No Chaser. Their name was inspired by the title track of Thelonious Monk's 1967 album, Straight, No Chaser, and is a conscious evocation of the popular American slang phrase often employed in the requesting of a drink.
SNC’s debut was at a 36-hour dance marathon.[2] The original members performed at Chicago's Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park and Navy Pier, opened for Lou Rawls and even toured the country, playing such venues as Carnegie Hall.[3] The original 10 remained together from 1996 until 1999 when new students were selected to replace the graduating members. Straight No Chaser continued to exist as a collegiate group.
When the original group reformed, both groups continued to exist under the name of "Straight No Chaser." In April 2012, the collegiate group changed its name to Another Round, taken from the name of an earlier CD that was released by the group.[4] The collegiate group's latest CD, Two For The Show, was released under the new name.
Original group reunites
In April 2006, a 1998 recording of "The 12 Days of Christmas" was posted on YouTube. The video was an adaptation of Richard C. Gregory's 1967 comic arrangement of the song for his Williston Caterwaulers, but SNC added their own touches, including songs like “I Have a Little Dreidel” and Toto’s “Africa”.[3] It has received over 15 million views. After viewing the video himself, Craig Kallman, CEO of Atlantic Records, called Randy Stine, who posted the video, and asked if the group would consider reuniting to record a new album.
In July 2008, eight of the original 1996-1999 SNC members—Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, and Mike Itkoff—along with 2000-2003 SNC members Mike Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt—recorded a Christmas album, Holiday Spirits, in Bloomington, Indiana. After appearances on TNT's Christmas in Washington, Fox's Fox & Friends, and NBC's The Today Show on December 22, 2008, Holiday Spirits became the #1 selling album on both the iTunes and Amazon.com charts.
On August 18, 2009, SNC announced that Michael Itkoff and Steve Morgan had decided to step down from the group to spend more time with their families. SNC replaced them with Seggie Isho, originally from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Tyler Trepp, originally from Urbandale, Iowa. Both Isho and Trepp were members of the collegiate SNC group at Indiana University: Isho 2003-2005, and Trepp 2003–2007. In December 2012, Ryan Ahlwardt left the group and Steve Morgan rejoined the group the following month.
SNC taped a live concert special in New York City during summer 2009 that was aired on that city's PBS stations during the December 2009 pledge drive as a Christmas special, and again in March 2010, excluding the Christmas songs but including six not-seen-before pop songs.
On August 31, 2009, Straight No Chaser released an EP of six songs, titled Six Pack, continuing the band's tradition of album titles that engage the symbolism of bartending themes. On November 3, 2009, they released their second Christmas album, Christmas Cheers co-produced with Deke Sharon, and they released their first non-Christmas album, With a Twist, in April 2010. The album includes a song featuring Barry Manilow.
After a 40-show stint at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, the group's founder Dan Ponce retired from the group to return to his TV career in Chicago.[5] He was replaced by Don Nottingham, who sang with the group at Indiana University from 1999 until 2000.[6]
Their 2010 fall tour was a 75-city tour of the United States, Canada, and the UK and featured their recently released box-set titled All I Want For Christmas, which featured their two holiday albums and a DVD of their PBS special, Live In New York.
In 2011, Straight No Chaser took a break from their extensive touring to return to Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City for a 52-show Summer Residency with a show, Back to the Shore: Songs Through the Decades and More.[7]
Awards
In 2009, Atlantic Records SNC won the CARA award for Best Holiday Album (Holiday Spirits)[8] and was nominated for Best Holiday Song ("Carol Of The Bells" on Holiday Spirits).[9]
Discography
Albums
| Title | Album details | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [10] | ||
| Holiday Spirits |
|
46 |
| Christmas Cheers |
|
38 |
| With a Twist |
|
29 |
Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Six Pack (EP) |
|
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Six Pack Volume 2 (EP) |
|
References
- ^ "YouTube: Straight No Chaser - 12 Days (original from 1998)". youtube.com. Retrieved 2011-12-06.
- ^ "snc". Php.indiana.edu. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
- ^ a b Mickey Rapkin (Published: October 3, 2008). "Music - The acappella Group Straight No Chaser - Reunited Singers, Recently Discovered and Replete With a Five-Album Contract - NYTimes.com". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Student Groups". University of Indiana. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
- ^ http://www.wgntv.com/about/station/newsteam/wgntv-news-team-dan-ponce,0,5822819.htmlstory
- ^ "Introducing Don Nottingham - The Newest SNC Member!". Straight No Chaser Website. Virgin Atlantic Records. 7 Sept 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ http://www.harrahsresort.com/EventsDetail.do?detailName=straight-no-chaser-detail&locationCode=ATL
- ^ CASA: the Contemporary A Cappella Society. "2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". Retrieved 28 February 2010.
- ^ CASA: the Contemporary A Cappella Society. "2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Nominees". Retrieved 28 February 2010.
- ^ "Straight No Chaser > Chart History > Billboard 200". Billboard Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
External links
Disambiguation Atlantic Recording Artists