Sunday, December 23, 2012



Today's the day! Please join us in sending our best wishes to Ryan Ahlwardt during his last day with SNC!

"We *heart* Ryan" icons and banners were designed by Jana @betty897x http://sncfan.blogspot.com/2012/12/we-heart-ryan.html and may be used on SNCmusic.com, FB, Twitter or wherever you would like!

If you missed the announcement, check out Ryan's "Thank You!" post on SNCmusic.com, as well as the beautifully written A Rare Walt Blog: Ryan and Ryan(The Tyler Cut).

SNC FanChat also released a special episode this morning featuring an interview with Ryan!





Thursday, December 6, 2012

Ryan's Really Big News

It is with both sad and happy hearts that we would like to share this link to Ryan's SNCmusic.com post with his really big news.

http://www.sncmusic.com/blog/thank-you-352641


Thank you and God bless you, Ryan A-H-L-W-A-R-D-T! We love you!












Friday, November 23, 2012

Have Yourself an A Cappella Christmas

Photo from Christmas Cheers


It's that time of year again!  Here are some SNC QN reader and staff suggestions if you would like to add some a cappella to your Christmas playlist!  Is your favorite missing from this list? Tell us in the comments!

Straight No Chaser
@SNCmusic

Holiday Spirits
Christmas Cheers

The video that started it all!  
"12 Days of Christmas" (1998)
http://youtu.be/2Fe11OlMiz8

"The Christmas Can-Can"
http://youtu.be/7E-47VmFopE

"Who Spiked the Eggnog?"
http://youtu.be/M7byjAaLcRM

Some Chaser favorites:
"O Holy Night"
"Carol of the Bells"
"Indiana Christmas"
"You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch!"
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing / Angels We Have Heard on High"

New this year!
Guest vocals on Cee Lo's Magic Moment:
"You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!"
  
Cadence 
@cadencetweet

Cool Yule

Chanticleer 
@ChanticleerSF

Our Heart's Joy: A Chanticleer Christmas
Psallite! A Renaissance Christmas
A Chanticleer Christmas
 
Let It Snow* (parts of this album do include instruments)
Our Favorite Carols

Eclipse 
@EclipseSingers  

It's Christmas Time
Three Kings

First Call
 
An Evening in December

Gentleman's Rule
@GentlemansRule

New this year!

"White Christmas" (at the Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting)
http://youtu.be/Y10jTXNvxrQ

"Silver Bells"
http://youtu.be/ZFdRJXvZBu8

And here's kind of a fun flashback for the Luke Mechling fans:
Acapellicans, "White Christmas"
http://youtu.be/dlPtMtq2Qj8

Glad

An A Cappella Christmas
Voices of Christmas 

m-pact
@mpactmusic

The Carol Commission

Naturally 7  
@Naturally7

Christmas... It's a Love Story

Overboard
@OverboardVocals

Tidings

"Sleigh Ride"
http://youtu.be/ydtOgv8yzcU

 
Pentatonix
@PTXofficial 

New this year! 
PTXmas

"Carol of the Bells"
http://youtu.be/WSUFzC6_fp8


Peter Hollens
@PeterHollens

"The Christmas Song"
http://youtu.be/P8FlF8mst2Y
 
Point of Grace

"In the First Light"

Rockapella
@RockapellaMusic  

Christmas
Out Cold
Comfort & Joy
 
Take 6
@Take6Official

He is Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The Sing-Off

A Sing-Off Christmas
Harmonies for the Holidays

The Swingle Singers
@swinglesingers

Christmastime
The Story of Christmas
Unwrapped
 
Tonic Sol-Fa
@tonicsol

Christmas 
March of the Kings 
On Top of the World 
Sugarüe 

"Do You See What I See?"
http://youtu.be/_AtMQhjXYGQ

Songs in a wetsuit (don't ask, just watch!)
http://youtu.be/57M3o42-vNE

Songs in tights (ditto)
http://youtu.be/Wq-76uoil5Y


You can also check out our 2011 Holiday Playlist for more great music!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Gentleman's Rule

By Carla "blameCarla" Rodriguez


Photo from GentlemansRule.com


The comparisons between Straight No Chaser and Gentleman's Rule are going to be inevitable. Both groups are alumnus of IU's Another Round (formerly IU SNC), both groups genesis involve Dan Ponce, and both groups are ten guys (both groups even include a Mechling). But if you ask Will Lockhart and Dan Ponce, that's where the comparisons will stop. Gentleman's Rule has ten very different voices and personalities and the sound, although it will have the same high levels of professionalism and genius as SNC, has morphed them into their own entity very quickly.

So "How did TJ Breen, Corey Frye, Drew Kipfer, Will Lockhart, Brent Mann, Luke Mechling, Andrew Morstein, Holland Nightenhelser, Jasper Smith, and Jesse Townes all get together?" and "How did Dan Ponce become involved?" you ask. Well, let me tell you!

According to Will Lockhart, the group was started last summer, in May of 2011. Half of them were still in IU SNC preparing for the 15th anniversary concert when Will saw a few audition notices for The X Factor and The Sing-Off and decided to send a mass email to singers from IU SNC past and present imploring them to audition with him. TJ Breen, the music director of IU SNC at the time, got a call from a Sing-Off producer personally inviting them to come to Chicago and audition for the show, and so they formed a group of great singers who had all been in IU SNC at one point in time.

"We rehearsed every night for a few weeks, gearing up for the audition," Will explained. "Our original name was TBA because we honestly could not think of a name that was better. Finally, tenor Corey Frye came up with Gentleman's Rule while he was in the shower and it immediately stuck. We auditioned for The Sing-Off and made a great impression on the judges, and honestly thought that we were going to make it on. We signed contracts and everything, but I think the fact that we got together just to be on the show turned the producers off a bit. I think they were looking for more of a back story from us. Something that would bring more ratings to the show.”

Imagine their surprise when they didn’t make the show.  They thought they would never sing together again as a group until, cue a bit later, they were called individually by Dan Ponce asking them to pursue the group full time. After a few small lineup changes, they met with Dan last August.  He played them his arrangement of "The Pachanelly Canon" and told them that he had backing/management/label for them. “Basically," said Will, "he gave us a once in a lifetime opportunity that none of us could turn down. Since three of our members were still in IU SNC at the time, we decided to let them finish strong and then we would dive headfirst into Gentleman's Rule."

Cut to Dan Ponce, who said he was looking for an outlet for his musical creativity. Not only did he create a label to sign Gentleman's Rule to, but he is co-managing and producing them along with Charlie Blum (the father of the bride in the "Pachanelly" video who also manages/produces male vocal quartet Under the Streetlamp). Dan also made his directorial debut on the "Pachanelly" video, which received over 200,000 views in the first six days. The directing experience, he said, was harder than he had expected, but a lot of fun and "(The video) came out exactly as I envisioned it ." Dan, his mom and his dad all have cameos in the video. Of course, Dan also arranged songs for Gentleman's Rule, and co-wrote the original song "I'm Coming Home" along with Mike Luginbill and Jerome Collins of Straight No Chaser.

The "Pachanelly" video was meant to be the opening salvo, the teaser if you will, in the career of Gentleman's Rule, and what an opening shot it was! I Googled the video five days after it was released and came up with 20 pages of reviews, including Mashable, MSN.com, Fresh Musik, Carbonated TV and many others - some from around the world! Today it sits at 335,041 views.  Their second video “I Wish/Play That Funky Music” was released on September 3rd, and the video for "I'm Coming Home" was released on November 1st. (All videos were produced by Winky Productions.)

Cover image from GentlemansRule.com
Gentleman's Rule released their debut album this week! Act Accordingly, which can be purchased on their site, features songs by a wide range of artists including Stevie Wonder, The Script, Peter Gabriel, Nelly, Bruno Mars, One Republic, B.o.B., Outkast, Gavin DeGraw, and more. I don't know about you all, but I couldn't wait for November 13th (the day before my birthday *hint* )!

There is a 16 date run at the Royal George Theater in Chicago going on now until Nov 25th, and a tour with labelmates Under The Streetlamp to look forward to. Chasers, let’s see them out on the road and welcome them Chaser style to the a cappella fans' world!

(A huge thank you to Dan Ponce and Will Lockhart for all their time and help with this post. I'm sure we will hear more from them very soon!)


Twitter: @GentlemansRule
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GentlemansRule

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Aca-Album Releases

This Tuesday we celebrated the release of two highly anticipated a cappella albums!!!


Gentleman's Rule released their debut album, Act Accordingly!  
http://gentlemansrule.com/
 
A note to Chasers: If you've been wishing for a recording of Dan Ponce's "All My Life" you can buy it now on Act Accordingly.

Cover image from GentlemansRule.com
Track Listing
Titanium
Good Life
I'm Coming Home
Marry You
The Pachanelly Canon
I Wish / Play That Funky Music
In Your Eyes
Hey Ya
Barefoot Blue Jean Night
For the First Time
Airplanes
Not Over You
All My Life
Three Little Birds
Titanium (Club Remix)





And Pentatonix released their first Christmas EP, PTXmas!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ptxmas-ep/id572957637
 
Cover image from iTunes
Track Listing
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Carol of the Bells
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire)
O Holy Night
This Christmas







Congratulations to Gentleman's Rule and Pentatonix! We're so excited for you!


I also wanted to remind everyone to check out Straight No Chaser's "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!" guest vocals on Cee Lo's Magic Moment - now available!

Cover image courtesy of @CeeLoGreen
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ceelos-magic-moment/id564392095












Have you listened to any of these yet? Which song is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Cee Lo Green Christmas Album to Feature Rod Stewart, B.o.B.

Cover image courtesy of @CeeLoGreen


SNC is a featured artist on Cee Lo Green's new Christmas album! According to SNC, they joined forces on "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!"  The scheduled release date for Cee Lo's Magic Moment is October 30th. One article I found said they felt that was rather early in the season, which as a Chaser I thought was kind of hilarious.

Christmas season
Starting sooner ev'ry year!
It's October... 


Read more: http://www.billboard.com/news/cee-lo-green-christmas-album-to-feature-1007946052.story#/news/cee-lo-green-christmas-album-to-feature-1007946052.story

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

#SaveTheSingOff Edition: Volume 1, Issue 3

Issue 3



Purchase a print copy or download a digital copy here:

SNCQN 1.3 -- Save The Sing-Off Edition
SNC Quarter Notes: Volume 1, Issue 3

Monday, April 30, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: Z!!!



Don's good friend, Erin Zammett Ruddy and her sister, Melissa, are celebrating their 10 and 7 year Cancerversaries this month by raising $100,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Erin is in the running for 2012 LLS Woman of the Year, and tonight (April 30th) Straight No Chaser will be giving an exclusive performance at her Cancerversary Bash!

There are only 2 weeks left in the campaign - if you would like to learn more, please visit ErinZammettRuddy.com to find ways that you can show your support for these two amazing women!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: Y is for...



Thank you, YouTube!

I adore YouTube - it's a bridge between small town me and the rest of the world.  I can get lost for hours just clicking from video to video, seeing things I would never get to see otherwise, constantly being wide-eyed and jaw-dropped amazed by the creativity of others, learning how to do new, useful and fascinating things, and yes, watching videos posted by both the audience and the members of my favorite a cappella group. :o)

YouTube is also a bridge in the Straight No Chaser story, linking the past to the present, a record company CEO to a group of good college friends, and those good friends to each other. Now it spans the gap between that group of friends and their fans, making it seem as though there is hardly any gap at all. I greatly appreciate that SNC allows the audience to share concert videos on YouTube - I truly couldn't be the Chaser I am without them.  I shudder to think of all of the fantastic spontaneous live show moments that would be lost if they didn't. I absolutely love watching all of the different ways they perform the same song, and I'm grateful for the many times I have laughed 'til I cried over a song intro or #shenanigans or been brought to tears by the beauty of a song.  And what about the historical view?  The videos capture their show developing from that 1998 performance of 12 Days, to the start of "10 stools, 10 mics," to the incredible lighting and set they have now!

In December 2011 the lucky staff at Google/YouTube got a private concert and Q&A session with Straight No Chaser!  And, thanks to YouTube, we get to enjoy it, too!




In this blog series you've seen the track listing for all of their albums and many of their mash-ups and medleys -  the following is a really good start on a list of their single, full songs. You can search for any of these titles on YouTube by adding "Straight No Chaser" or "SNC" in the front. Of course, the video quality varies.

I probably don't need to say this, but **SPOILER ALERT!!!**  :o)

The ABCs of SNC: X is for... X

I want to thank everyone who pitched in to help me brainstorm for the letter X - I really wasn't sure what I was going to do for this one!

Shoutout to John H. and Lieve D. for pointing out that X is the Roman numeral for 10!   





10 men in Straight No Chaser - discovered because of the SNC 10 year reunion at IU. I'd say 10 is an important number for them!



Photo credit: SNCmusic

The ABCs of SNC: W is also for...



Straight No Chaser's Musical Director, Tenor 2, musical arranger, vocal percussionist and rare blogger - Walter Chase!


Photo credit: Sara N.

The ABCs of SNC: W is for...

With a Twist (2010) is the first, and so far only, Atlantic Records Straight No Chaser non-holiday full-length album.  They are working towards a new album with hopes for a fall tour release date, but nothing definite yet.


1. I'm Yours / Somewhere Over The Rainbow 
2. Tainted Love
3. Don't Dream It's Over
4. Fix You
5. You're My Best Friend
6. The Living Years
7. You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three / Single Ladies
8. Wonderwall
9. Joy To The World
10. Under The Bridge
11. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
12. One Voice (solo: Barry Manilow)




The ABCs of SNC: V is for Vocal

It's a lot of fun to stop every now and then and really focus on listening to all of the different layers in a Straight No Chaser song.   First of all you'll hear the different parts of bass, baritone, tenor 2, tenor 1 and soloist. Some Chasers who are really good at this can even pick out that it's a bass (for example) and whether it's Randy or Charlie who's singing a specific section.  The guys are always gracious enough to let us know if we've gotten it right or not when we ask.

Next, if you look in the liner notes of the "With a Twist" CD, you'll find this:
No instruments were used in the making of this album.  All sounds were produced by voices, vocal percussion, snaps, claps or stomps.
So all of those instruments you think you're hearing are actually voices!  Organ, saxophone, trumpet, electric guitar, bass, piccolo, drum kit, you name it - all of it is done through their vocals.  Even knowing this I still have to concentrate sometimes to hear what sounds like an instrument as a vocal, and I'm always amazed again.

The vocal percussion, or VP, in the group is done by Don, Dave, Tyler, Seggie, Walt and Randy. In his most recent FanChat, Don gives us a brief explanation and demonstration of his VP skills.  He can sing two notes and do vocal percussion at the same time!

Now that you know what you're looking for, you can go back and watch some of the videos specifically to see the vocal percussion and instruments.  In the video from the Canada tour, you probably noticed Tyler doing VP during Wonderwall.  Get Ready is another good one for drums, and so is Billie Jean/Poison. Walt does a "trumpet" in the beginning of Let's Get It On, and there's the Big Band in the Frat Pack Medley. See if you can figure out who's currently doing the jingle bells at the end of 12 Days.

If you're thinking about trying some vocal percussion of your own, Tyler suggests starting out by learning to make one noise while you're breathing in, and another noise while you're breathing out so you can keep a steady rhythm going.

This is just a very basic overview, but I can tell you that the more you listen and watch, the more you'll notice!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: U is for...


Ustream

Whenever Straight No Chaser has some particularly exciting news to share, they announce on SNCmusic.com that there will be a live web chat on their Ustream SNC-TV channel within the next week or so.  Usually, they will start out by telling us the big news (hint: they don't take the word "exciting" lightly!) and then they will answer questions live from the Chasers through the Ustream chat feature. In order to ask questions, you have to be registered on the Ustream site, so it's a good idea to do that before the day of the chat.  Double-check your settings ahead of time and decide whether you also want your questions to show up in your Twitter and Facebook feeds or not. There are a couple of archived chats on the channel - last time they told us about the cruise!


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: TT is for...

*Spring Tour spoiler alert*


Let's face it, when it comes to the SNC alphabet,  
Tyler Trepp pretty much owns the letter T.

Photo credit: Julie F.





















In Straight No Chaser, Tyler is a Tenor 1, vocal percussionist, musical arranger and, as of this posting, "the single guy."
He's on Twitter @TheRealSNCTyler.

The ABCs of SNC: We've Made it to S!!!

And S is for Seggie Isho!


Photo credit: Sara N.
#purplepaisleypocketsquare

Happy Birthday, Jerome!


Photo credit: Sara N.

Go tweet him some birthday wishes @Romeifuwant2!












Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: From R to S

If you've ever wanted to see Straight No Chaser on a schooner, now's your chance! Rose Tours presents -



The ABCs of SNC: R is for... Ryan!

Ryan is always in the middle of everything in a good way... Ryan is the heart of the group.   ~Walter Chase

Photo credit: Sara N.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: R is for... Randy!

Next up is another R, THE Randawg himself, Straight No Chaser bass and vocal percussionist - Randy Stine!

Photo credit: Dottie K.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: Q is for...

SNC Quarter Notes!


If you're new to reading this blog (hi!) you might not realize that the SNC Quarter Notes is first and foremost a fan-run online publication about Straight No Chaser written "By Chasers, For Chasers," as well as a source of fun and information for the general a cappella community. 

SNC Quarter Notes launched on June 21, 2011, created from an initial vision by Shaina Eng, and is now put together on a quarterly basis (hence the name) by Shaina and a team of nine editors.

I encourage you to check out our first two issues!
http://sncquarternotes.blogspot.com/p/past-issues.html#volume1


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: P is for...

Patriotic





Today Show July 4, 2010
America the Beautiful
Video: ctjkl00



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: O is for...

One Voice.   

One Voice is the last track on Straight No Chaser's album, "With A Twist," and Mr. Barry Manilow himself sings lead.  The song was done at his invitation and Mr. Manilow arranged it (Deke Sharon assisting) so that each of the guys would have his own individual part.


Even though they had collaborated on a recording and SNC had opened for Mr. Manilow at the Hollywood Bowl in the spring of 2010, they never actually met until they performed One Voice together live for the first time in Atlantic City, NJ at Boardwalk Hall on August 14, 2010.
Video: nmanilow




A couple of days later, Ryan posted an outstanding blog about the experience on the SNCmusic site:
The quote of the night went to Barry when he pulled us aside after the last picture was taken and imparted, "Listen, guys, you can sing as many minor ninth chords as you want, but people don't care about that at all.  What they want to see up there are friends."  I'll always remember that.  


Monday, April 16, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: N is for...

Nottingham. Don Nottingham.




The ABCs of SNC: M is also for...

I can't believe we're halfway through the alphabet already - I still have so much to tell you!!! 


So last week I said that M is for Mash-up and Medley, but in the ABCs of SNC, M is also for the amazing Michael Luginbill!


Photo credit: SaJaFo Photography
Randy (left), Mike (middle), Don (right) and Blake (lights) - do you see the M?












Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sunday - day off

Sundays are days off in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you back here on Monday for N!


Enjoy this alphabetically-appropriate SNC performance of ABC / I Want You Back!
Video: Bmb3134


Saturday, April 14, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: M is for...

Mash-up and Medley, and Straight No Chaser are masters of both!

Note: If you're avoiding spoilers for the current tour, you'll want to skip this post.


Friday, April 13, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: L is for...

LIVE!!!!

You've watched them on YouTube, now GO to a show! Find out when Straight No Chaser is coming anywhere near you and see them live!  Bring your camera and be ready to take some photos and/or videos during the show. Not only is it allowed, but they want you to! There will be an announcement at the beginning of the show that will say they are inviting you to take all of the photos and video you want.  Record the intros AND the songs. #justsayin'

Read this post from Tour Manager Richard Korby, A Special Message About Cameras At SNC Shows, if you would like more specific information. 

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Happy Birthday, Charlie!

"Charlie doesn't sing a ton of solos, but Charlie on stage is Charlie. Charlie is a show within himself." ~Walter Chase




Since today is Charlie's birthday I thought it would be
an appropriate time for another bonus post! 


The ABCs of SNC: K is for...

Today we meet a couple of the people who work with SNC behind the scenes.

Mr. Richard Korby is Straight No Chaser's Tour Manager and "unofficial den mother." If you haven't listened to his FanChat interview yet, you *really* should.  I knew it was a lot of work, but I was still amazed to hear how much he does to make sure things run smoothly from one venue to the next! He takes such great care of the guys, and with ten distinctly different personalities that isn't an easy job. And how many of our Chaser/SNC meet and greet group shots has Korby taken for us? A LOT! I know he took mine and I love it. :o) He's always gracious, helpful and he takes on a lot of pressure so that the guys can focus on bringing us an outstanding show, time after time. He's on Twitter @richardkorby if you would like to say hi!
We do appreciate you, Korby! Thank you!!!


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: J is for...

Ladies and Gentlemen, the one, the only, the awesome - Mr. Jerome Collins!
 

Photo: Sara N.


Personally I believe Jerome was born on a stage with a microphone in his hand.

















Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: I is for...

Indiana, of course. As I said yesterday, the men of Straight No Chaser are amazing ambassadors for both the state and the cream and crimson of Indiana University. There's nothing that I - a non-resident of Indiana - can say about that wonderful state that would be better than letting Ryan take you on a personal tour of Fishers!



#SaraFunFact The secret to a *killer* Midnight Truffle Blizzard is to have them make it with the chocolate ice cream and add bananas.

Monday, April 9, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: H is for... (vol 2)

I thought I'd mix things up a bit today and add a bonus post!  Surprise! *jazz hands*

During their 2010 Harrah's summer residency, the guys were larger than life in lights on the side of the building! The photos were taken from the cover of their then newly released CD, With A Twist.
Video: ryanahlwardt



The ABCs of SNC: H is for...

"Hoosiers" - certainly one of THE most important words in a Straight No Chaser alphabet!  The SNC guys are amazing ambassadors for the State of Indiana generally and Indiana University specifically.  I don't even follow sports, but because of SNC I have learned to have the utmost respect for IU Men's Basketball Head Coach, Tom Crean. I also know that the proper way to cheer for IU teams is...

"HOO HOO HOO HOOSIERS!"

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday - day off

Woo hoo!!! Week 1 is complete! We take Sundays off from posting in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.

Please feel free to leave your comments and word suggestions - the feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see ya Monday for H!

~Sara~

Saturday, April 7, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: G is for...

One of the methods that Straight No Chaser uses to arrange a song is by "Grinching" it on the spot in the studio.  They pick a song and decide what kind of sound or vibe they think it should have. Then they collaborate all day, building it from the ground up, recording one part at a time and vocal percussion until they have a complete song. "Grinching" is their nickname for it because You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch! is the first song on which they did this together.

Friday, April 6, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: F is for...

Shaina, Kathy, Dave and Tina - ready to go! SNC FAN CHAT! Time for the show!

First launched on May 25, 2010, "SNC FanChat: Behind the Mic with Straight No Chaser" is the first and only podcast dedicated to SNC. It's the brain child of SNC SuperFan Shaina, who (along with SuperFan co-hosts Tina, Dave and Kathy) brings interviews, news and fun to all of the loyal listeners. If you're new to the FanChat, I recommend starting with the most recent episode and working your way backwards so you'll hear the current news.

I consider myself a SuperFan of the FanChat. I have listened and re-listened and done my share of walking along in public listening to the episodes on my iPod while laughing out loud and looking like a crazy person, and I've stayed up way too late to finish a new episode. I've taken notes and sent in guesses and questions and suggestions and basically I just love it. I encourage everyone to send in feedback, because they do want to hear from you!

Blog: http://sncfanchat.blogspot.com/
Email: SNCFanChat@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sncfanchat
Twitter: @SNCFanChat

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: E is for...

We love the eggnog!!!



Who Spiked the Eggnog? is another SNC original, this time written and arranged by SNC Tenor 1 and generally speaking one of my favorite songwriter/arrangers, Ryan Ahlwardt, and the "a cappellegendary" Deke Sharon (lol I totally just made up that word, but it definitely fits him!). Between this song and The Christmas Can-Can I mentioned before, as well as Indiana Christmas, Christmas Wish and All My Life by Dan Ponce, you can start to understand why I'm so excited at the thought of someday having a CD of all or mostly all originals from these guys! Actually, that should be SO EXCITED!!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: D is for... Dmitry

sweetpotatousa.org

Today I'm going to switch gears for a bit here and tell you a little about my favorite Ukrainian, Dmitry Kovalenko.

You may remember looking for Dmitry in our first issue.  Dmitry showed up on Twitter about two years ago, a sweet potato farmer from outside Kiev who loves baseball. It's a lot of fun to read back through his tweets.  One of his dreams is to someday have 1,000 followers on Twitter; you can find him at @ifromukraine.


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: C is for...

Because they were introduced to the general public through the 12 Days video, at first most people thought of SNC as strictly a Christmas a cappella group.  In fact their first two CDs, Holiday Spirits (2008) and  Christmas Cheers (2009), are both Christmas albums. At this point they have expanded professionally into non-holiday music, but their Christmas music continues to be second to none!



It's not unusual to want to keep these CDs in rotation all year long.


Monday, April 2, 2012

The ABCs of SNC: B is for... Beginning

1996 - While attending Indiana University, Dan Ponce hand picks nine friends from The Singing Hoosiers to sing with him in a small a cappella group "for girls and free food."  In the parking lot before their first performance at a dance marathon, they decide to use the name "Straight No Chaser" after the Thelonius Monk album. Over time their cover of Toto's Africa becomes one of their most popular songs, which they love, but they sing it until they're sick of it.  To change things up a bit, they mix it into the end of their cover of Richard Gregory's fun arrangement of The 12 Days of Christmas, giving it that now famous Straight No Chaser twist.
 

December 7, 1998 - SNC records a concert, "Straight No Chaser: Live at the Musical Arts Center." 12 Days is one of the highlights. The company that records the concert goes out of business and the guys never actually receive the footage.

Today this is a limited edition collector's item DVD.


The ten original members graduate, leaving behind the legacy of a hugely successful collegiate a cappella group that continues on without them under the name Straight No Chaser. Among those IU students who perform in the legacy group are Ryan Ahlwardt, Mike Luginbill, Don Nottingham, Seggie Isho and Tyler Trepp.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

APRIL FOOLS! Issue #3

APRIL FOOLS!


Issue 3

The ABCs of SNC: A is for... Artisans of A Cappella Awesomeness


Hi and welcome to the first post of my Blogging A to Z Challenge! I'm excited to be spending this month blogging through the alphabet about the “artisans of a cappella awesomeness,” Straight No Chaser (a phrase I *love* coined by Rick Florino in his 2009 interview with Ryan.) I discovered that it's too difficult to pick just one word for each letter, so I've decided to use more of a list format for these. Here we go!

Photo courtesy Atlantic Records

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Get Ready!



Hey, Chasers!

On behalf of the SNC Quarter Notes blog, I have accepted the "Blogging from A to Z Challenge"! http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/  For the entire month of April, I'll be blogging about "The ABCs of SNC."

I need WORDS from YOU! What would you like to see me blog about? Send your SNC-related words by email (SNCQuarterNotes@gmail.com, subject: A to Z), comment on this post, post to our FB page (http://www.facebook.com/sncquarternotes), tweet them to @SNCQuarterNotes or @wtrfallprincess, or send them by carrier pigeon. If I use your word, you will get a credit in the post.

Will I make it for ALL 26 letters and ALL 26 days? Oh, the drama!!!  Be ready to cheer me on or to point and laugh. See y'all tomorrow!