The Chaser Archives: #SummerOfInfluence

Showing posts with label #SummerOfInfluence. Show all posts

Straight No Chaser: 10-part vocals and no band (Tyler)

Wicked Local Canton blog
July 11, 2014

Trepp had played piano while growing up, and performed in the usual high school bands, but he'd always been fascinated by vocals. His father's record collection helped foster that interest, as his dad's favorites included the Beach Boys, Queen, Styx, Journey, Chuicago and other bands that featured superb vocals and harmonies.

"My dad had always loved a capella singing too," noted Trepp. "And when I began to look at colleges, and heard about the group at Indiana, that was a major reason for my choosing to go there."

Chasing the Dream: Straight No Chaser (Seggie)

By Jackson Sinnenberg
What's On Tap
July 10, 2014

For their most recent album, the double LP Under the Influence, Straight No Chaser found themselves almost overwhelmed by the people who teamed up with them. "I remember we sent out this huge list of people that we wanted to work with, not expecting much from them," Isho told On Tap, the excitement rising in every word, "And then it was just crazy; all of these people just started emailing back saying they wanted to work with us."

Naperville North grad touring with a cappella group (Randy)

By Melissa Jenco
Chicago Tribune
July 10, 2014

Stine's love of music started in elementary school, but carrying his trumpet home every day to practice was a pain. Singing didn't require instrument schlepping so he thought he'd try that instead.

He went on to sing while at Jefferson Junior High and Naperville North where he appeared in productions like "Oklahoma" and "The Mikado" before graduating in 1995.

Straight No Chaser brings ‘Happy Hour’ to the Sun Center (Jerome)

Did I see the words "next album" in this article? *squee*

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By Joe Szczechowski
DCNN Correspondent
Monday, July 07, 2014

“People can watch us on video, but the live experience is what it’s all about,” Collins says. “We try to make the audience feel like they’re part of the show. We want you to feel like we are not singing at you, we are singing with you.”

Straight Talk From Straight No Chaser (Seggie)

I love the longer interviews - the guys get to answer more than the usual questions. Nice job, Seggie!

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By Jay Smith
Pollstar
August 30, 2013

The questions asked are:

If we were to go backstage right before a Straight No Chaser gig, would we find a lot of water, throat lozenges and other aids for the proper care and feeding of voices?

How do you take care of your voice?

That has to be easier said than done. What with meet and greets and shaking hands with a new group of people on every show day, that must increase the chances of catching a bug.

But out of 10 singers touring in the group, there’s probably someone that has a frog in his throat. How do you cover for that?

How does Straight No Chaser select songs to sing?

Is the origin of a song – who wrote it or who had the hit with it – important when considering it for performances?

You have a version of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” that also features Elton John on vocals. Did he come in and recut the vocal or did he supply you with a recording?

Speaking of entourages – does Straight No Chaser have an entourage?

Considering all the time the members of Straight No Chaser spends together, is there a trick to getting along with each other?

Along the same line I’m guessing that the group closes ranks, so to speak, whenever there’s a perceivable threat to one of the members – kind of an all-for-one vibe?

What moves Straight No Chaser from town to town?

What do you see when you look out into the audience?

There was a time when members of bands would take on specific roles. That is, there would be a cute guy, a joker, a serious person and so on. Do members of Straight No Chaser take on similar roles?

Is there a lady’s man in the bunch?

Whenever you hear a song, say on the radio or TV, do you automatically begin breaking it down into a Straight No Chaser arrangement?

What was your background before joining Straight No Chaser?

Are there acts you would like to work with?

What would you like to tell the world about Straight No Chaser and the upcoming tour?

Read more: http://www.pollstar.com/news_article.aspx?ID=806811

Hat Tip: @betty897x

Interview: Straight No Chaser (Randy)

By Rick Florino
Artist Direct
August 26, 2013

The questions asked are:

With Under the Influence, was it important to preserve the original song's integrity while adding your own stamp?

Under the Influence also allows the respective artists a chance to re-approach their songs.

What was the curation process like for what artists you chose to work with? Did you vote on it?

Which guest surprised you the most?

How do you make each tour a different experience for yourselves and the fans?

Steve Morgan Living The Dream For A Second Time & Performing At Harrah’s Resort For A First With Straight No Chaser

By jmarmo
Atlantic City Blog
August 15, 2013

TAC: How has it been performing with Straight No Chaser again?

Steve Morgan: It’s been a blast. Being up on stage is an unparalleled feeling. It’s been nothing but a joy to be back with my friends.

Read more: http://atlanticcityblog.caesars.com/steve-morgan-living-the-dream-for-a-second-time-performing-at-harrahs-resort-for-a-first-with-straight-no-chaser/?social=social10850414#.Ug5OpW1hM2F

Hat Tip: @SNCmusic

Straight No Chaser at Wolf Trap

By Jessica Vaughan
DC Metro Theater Arts
July 1, 2013

The group is known for the magical way they improve on originals, as well as their medleys, and a sneaky sense of humor. All were on display.

The second song was cut short when soloist Jerome Collins fainted in the heat, which was scary for a moment but he was back onstage for the next number and cracked jokes the rest of the night about it.

...Collins said at the end, “I am never going to live this down.”

Read more: http://www.dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2013/07/01/straight-no-chaser-at-wolf-trap-by-jessica-vaughan/

Hat Tip: @lynnholle

In the article she mentions that the other guys "fainted" themselves at every opportunity to tease Jerome. Here are a couple of those moments caught on video.

Hi-De-Ho angle 1 (video credit: Tara Marie Ahn)

Hi-De-Ho angle 2 (video credit: CmonEileenR)

Somebody That I Used to Know / Seggie's Intro (video credit: jfuter1)

She also mentions that SNC was actually prevented by the venue from doing their normal post-show meet & greet because of a downpour. This is only the second time I can think of that they didn't do one (the first time being the night they had to rush off immediately after their show to sing "One Voice" in AC with Barry Manilow during his show). It was obvious the guys felt badly about missing it.

Venue cancelled signing line bc of weather-1st time ever. It didn't feel right so we sat and signed autographs for each other for an hour.
— Don Nottingham (@breakofDon) July 1, 2013

Venue cancelled signing line...“@snemtuda: Did you take group pictures too? :)” Each of us just took a picture w @mikeluginbill
— Don Nottingham (@breakofDon) July 1, 2013

lol! Quite the memorable show! I know we're all VERY glad that Jerome was okay. :o)

A cappella sensation Straight No Chaser preps for Wolf Trap (Seggie)

Staggering response fuels Summer of Influence Tour
By Cara Hedgepeth
Fairfax Times
June 28, 2013

“I can’t explain the feeling when you get a phone call saying Elton John wants to work with you,” Isho said.

Straight No Chaser hitting all the right notes (Charlie)

lol "Chase-i-fied" Although I really like her writing style! Nicely done.

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By Melissa Ruggieri
Access Atlanta.com / The Music Scene
June 26, 2013

“We always encourage our audience to have fun and be a little rowdy,” Mechling said. “We really welcome it.”

Third Time, Still Charmed (Jerome)

Straight No Chaser rides the a cappella wave back to Chautauqua
By Sean Philip Cotter
The Chautauquan Daily
June 22, 2013

Collins said he thinks listeners find a cappella refreshing. He compared his group to a cool glass of lemonade, sipped while sitting in the shade of a tree on a hot summer’s day.

Straight No Chaser opens Chautauqua's season (Tyler)

This is one of those questions you only have if you read a lot of SNC articles like I do: It mystifies me why articles will mention Seggie by full name and not the other nine. I understand the Sargon/Seggie, but then shouldn't it be Sargon "Seggie" Isho? Why do they always add the David? Are they really mentioning his full name during the interview every single time? I'm starting to think it's a SNC inside joke or something. lol

Update: I asked SNC Tell-All Tuesday/Seggie on Twitter if he knew why, and Seggie replied that he'd never even noticed that was happening. He assumed it had something to do with him being in trouble, though. haha So, the mystery continues!

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By Dave Richards
Erie Times-News
June 20, 2013

Each member likes to suggest songs; not all of them make it to the stage. But Trepp is proud of the contribution he dreamed up with Sargon David Isho ("Seggie").

"We do a medley that's theme songs that didn't have words; they had melodies everyone knew. I thought it'd be funny to put words to them, and Seggie helped with the lyrics with it," Trepp said. "We got it in the set and it's one of our most popular songs."

Review: Straight No Chaser shows more talent, less novelty in local show

I, too, am a fan of the Walt growl. ;o)

Concert at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown proves the group's staying power, showmanship.
By John J. Moser
The Morning Call
May 12, 2013

Its singers, which include Allentown native Jerome Collins and Forks Township native Walter Chaser, are as talented, or more so, than most singers on the charts these days. Its show is filled with sly, intelligent humor. It's visually engaging. And, of course, every song is a hit.

Straight No Chaser's Walter Chase talks about new album with music's top names, new member, return to Allentown

Another excellent piece by Mr. Moser! I like that he allows for longer answers and he gets to ask them different questions then the average article writer.

By John J. Moser
The Morning Call
May 10, 2013

“We were working with several different managers and trying to get which track we should do. We were mixing out of several different studios. So it was a big undertaking for the group. We did the majority of the recording in Los Angeles last summer and it took until almost May, almost another year, for us to get all the pieces in line. So this is something – not only because we have artists like Stevie Wonder and Elton John on the album are we super excited about it, it’s just been a long time coming for this album. And to have a lot of new material – some that we’ve been performing in our live shows, but a lot of songs that are brand new – it’s very exciting for us."

Straight No Chaser Proves You Don’t Need Instruments To Rock (Charlie, Randy)

By Gary Wien
Jersey Arts blog Culture Vultures
May 7, 2013

(Randy) "That’s what’s most fulfilling — changing people’s minds. We really want people to see a cappella in a different way than what they might have had pre-programmed in their head.”