Straight No Chaser is an a cappella group that formed in 1996 at Indiana University. The group became famous after a video of their performance at an Indiana University event in 1998 went viral on the internet. Since then, Straight No Chaser has released multiple albums, toured extensively, and became one of the most popular a cappella groups.
The beginnings of Straight No Chaser
Straight No Chaser originally consisted of 10 male students at Indiana University who sang together for fun. In 1996, the group was officially formed by students Randy Stine, Jerome Collins, Walter Chase, Michael Itkoff, Steve Morgan, David Roberts, Charlie Mechling, and Dan Ponce. They began performing at venues around campus and quickly gained a local following.
In 1998, Straight No Chaser was invited to perform at an Indiana University event called “Singing for the Season.” Their performance of “The 12 Days of Christmas” mashed up with Toto’s “Africa” went viral after someone posted a video of it online in 2006. Suddenly, Straight No Chaser was propelled to internet fame.
Straight No Chaser goes professional
After the video went viral, Jerome Collins reunited most of the original group members in 2007. They began performing professional shows and recorded an album called “Holiday Spirits” with Atlantic Records. The album reached #10 on the Billboard 200 chart and helped jumpstart Straight No Chaser’s professional career.
The group began touring extensively, often performing over 100 shows per year. They released several more albums with Atlantic Records and built a large fanbase. However, many of the original members eventually left to pursue other career opportunities. Collins rebuilt the group with new singers, keeping Straight No Chaser going.
Straight No Chaser’s continued success
Despite lineup changes, Straight No Chaser has maintained its popularity and success. They have released a total of 7 albums, with 4 reaching the top 50 on the Billboard 200 chart. Their holiday albums in particular have resonated with fans. They continue touring heavily each year during the holiday season.
Some key facts about Straight No Chaser’s ongoing success:
- They have performed worldwide, including shows across the US, Canada, the UK, Japan, and the Philippines.
- Their YouTube channel has over 465,000 subscribers and 217 million total views.
- Their 5th holiday album, One Shot, was released in 2017 and reached #34 on the Billboard 200.
- In 2020, they collaborated with political satirist Randy Rainbow on a parody song.
- They have performed on national TV shows like Today and Good Morning America.
Even after 25 years, Straight No Chaser continues releasing new music and touring. They have an extensive tour schedule lined up for 2022 and 2023 during the holiday season and beyond.
Straight No Chaser’s touring schedule
Here is Straight No Chaser’s current tour schedule and locations for 2022 and 2023:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
November 23, 2022 | Akron, OH | Akron Civic Theatre |
November 25, 2022 | Pittsburgh, PA | Heinz Hall |
November 26, 2022 | Indianapolis, IN | Murat Theatre at Old National Centre |
November 27, 2022 | St. Louis, MO | Stifel Theatre |
November 29, 2022 | Fort Wayne, IN | Embassy Theatre |
December 1, 2022 | Detroit, MI | Fox Theatre |
December 2, 2022 | Chicago, IL | Chicago Theatre |
Additional tour dates for 2023 are still to be announced. Based on this tour schedule, it is clear that Straight No Chaser is still actively touring and performing dozens of shows per year. Their popularity has not slowed down, especially during the holiday season.
Reviews of Straight No Chaser’s recent live shows
Reviews of Straight No Chaser’s recent live shows on their 2021 and 2022 tours have been overwhelmingly positive. Here are some excerpts from recent Straight No Chaser concert reviews:
Akron Beacon Journal
“Straight No Chaser again proved itself an a cappella force to be reckoned with during a superb two-hour show…Tight harmonies and lively presentations made many songs shine.”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
“Holiday a cappella group Straight No Chaser brought an infectious energy and crisp harmonizing to an exuberant Riverside Theater crowd…fans enthusiastically sang along and cheered straight through the 19-song set.”
Boston Globe
“Straight No Chaser delivered an astonishingly good performance…Nearly every song elicited enormous cheers from the sold-out crowd. The atmosphere was joyous and celebratory.”
These reviews highlight Straight No Chaser’s continued ability to impress audiences with their live show and deliver an interactive concert experience even after over two decades of performing.
Straight No Chaser’s future
Straight No Chaser appears poised to continue their success into the future. They already have an extensive tour schedule lined up for the 2022 holiday season. Fans can expect more new releases and touring in 2023 and beyond as well.
In an October 2022 interview, group member Jerome Collins said Straight No Chaser is not slowing down anytime soon:
“We’ve got a bunch of new members who have brought new life and energy. Our fans have stuck with us through different eras and iterations of the group…We’re making some of the best music of our career. We’re just getting warmed up for another 25 years.”
Collins also hinted that the group will celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2021 with something special for fans. Given their steady popularity through the years, there is no indication Straight No Chaser plans to stop performing or touring. Their shows continue selling out venues across North America.
The group has also proven adept at adapting with the times, whether by collaborating with popular artists like Pentatonix or building their social media presence. Straight No Chaser’s future remains bright so long as they can maintain their signature sound, continue refreshing their lineup, and deliver entertaining live shows for fans.
Conclusion
In summary, Straight No Chaser is alive and well. They continue releasing new music and touring actively with an updated lineup. Reviews show their live performances remain as entertaining as ever. The group has built a Christmas tradition for many fans by touring each holiday season. Based on their schedule and stated plans, Straight No Chaser appears poised to keep performing for the foreseeable future. Their 25 year legacy is still going strong.