The Chaser Archives: November 2009

STRAIGHT NO CHASER: HOLIDAY MAGIC

By Crystal Bell
Billboard
November 28, 2009

(Edit: The link is no longer active, so the full text appears below.)

Christmas has come early for a cappella group Straight No Chaser. Its 10 members are celebrating the burgeoning suc-cess of their second holiday album, "Christmas Cheers." Released Nov. 3 on ATCO/Atlantic, the album debuted at No. 90 on the Billboard 200 and No. 11 on Top Holiday Albums with 7,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

"There's a lot of momentum for a cappella," founding member Randy Stine says. "Singing right now is kind of cool. You don't have to be the frontman or a guitar player in a band to be cool."

Just two years ago, the members of Straight No Chaser were in seven different cities, working 9-to-5 jobs after graduat-ing from Indiana University, where the group got its start. But everything changed when Stine posted clips from one of the group's 1998 university concerts on YouTube. Straight No Chaser's version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" -- which interpolates Toto's 1983 No. 1 pop hit "Africa" -- received more than 7 million views. And one of those viewers was Atlantic chairman/CEO Craig Kallman.

With the group's story playing out like a holiday miracle, Straight No Chaser signed with ATCO/Atlantic. The act's 2008 debut album, "Holiday Spirits," sparked a headlining tour and album sales of 118,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

While its predecessor leaned more traditional, "Christmas Cheers" adds a comedic thread to its mix of inventively rear-ranged holiday standards and originals. In addition to the single "The Christmas Can-Can," the music video for another original track, "Who Spiked the Eggnog?," will premiere Nov. 30 on MSN. The album also includes a studio version of "The 12 Days of Christmas."

Currently on a 50-city, Southwest Airlines-sponsored headlining tour through Dec. 23, Straight No Chaser will appear on PBS' upcoming pledge drive special "Live in New York: Holiday Edition," which begins airing Thanksgiving weekend. Additional performances include QVC (Nov. 25) and the Christmas Day edition of NBC's "Today."

And next year, Straight No Chaser will find out if its magic extends beyond the holiday season. The group is finishing up "With a Twist," a pop album due in spring 2010.

Hat Tip: @ShainaEng

Twitter Interview: 1-on-1 with Ryan Ahlwardt of SNC

This is such a great piece - check out Ryan's first Twitterview! He does love those wombos... :o)

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By Ricky Lee Potts
rickyleepotts.com
Saturday November 14, 2009

@ryansongs What do you, personally, want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

@rickyleepotts wow, never been asked that before. i want people to know how much we love to make music & bring joy to a world that needs it

Vocal group Straight No Chaser works the holidays again (Seggie)

By Ashante Infantry
The Toronto Star
November 08, 2009

The questions asked are:

What were you doing when Straight No Chaser got called up to the big leagues?

Why another Christmas disc when your shows are mainly comprised of pop songs?

How are you coping with the rigours of touring?

Must feel like being back in college again.

With no instruments to hide behind you really have to keep your voices in shape?

What will you all be wearing?

Be of Good Cheer -- Straight No Chaser Is Back!

By Marketwire
November 3, 2009

Acclaimed A Cappella Group Returns With All-New Holiday-Themed Collection; Major U.S. Concert Tour Presented by Southwest Airlines Now Underway; Multiple TV Appearances Slated, Including PBS Special, "Live In New York"