Straight No Chaser Stopping At Honeywell Friday
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
While at Indiana University more than 10 years ago, 10 guys joined together to form an a cappella group.
After graduating in 1999, the members of Straight No Chaser each went their separate ways, but stayed in touch.
Then a record executive from Atlantic Records saw them in a video on YouTube in 2006. He asked them to get back together and signed them to a contract.
"It kind of turned our lives upside down," said Charlie Mechling, an original member of Straight No Chaser, during an interview Tuesday afternoon. "I've learned to stop planning my life for more than six months at a time."
Between graduating from IU and the record deal, each of the 10 guys had moved on with their lives. Mechling had moved to New York to pursue a career in musical theater. He said he was glad that was his career because it helped prepare him more for a music career, while the other guys had 9 to 5 jobs.
"I think it took about five minutes for us to readjust," said Mechling about getting back together with the guys. They had kept in touch, and even performed together for fun when possible.
When the record deal was offered, Mechling said there was a lot of skepticism. Seeing the possibility, however, they decided to seize the opportunity and go for it.
"Why not? It's an opportunity you can't pass up," Mechling said.
Joining Mechling in Straight No Chaser are Ryan Ahlwardt, Jerome Collins, Walter Chase, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Dan Ponce, David Roberts, Randy Stine and Tyler Trepp.
Straight No Chaser start their 50-city tour this week. After performing in Bloomington, Ill., Thursday, they will be at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, Friday night. From there, they travel to Ohio, Oregon, British Columbia, California and many other stops, ending in North Carolina Dec. 23.
"We're really, really excited," Mechling said about the tour. He said it will be good for them to get out of the studio and into rehearsals. He said he looks forward to performing in front of a live audience.
Straight No Chaser's major label debut "Holiday Spirits" sold more than 110,000 copies. They appeared on everything from CNN to "The Today Show." Their album spent 14 days in the No. 1 slot on Amazon, and five days at the top spot overall on iTunes.
Straight No Chaser's famous version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" peaked in the top 10 on the Christmas radio chart and reached the top 15 at Hot AC. On their first-ever headline tour in December 2008, Straight No Chaser sold out shows across the country.
This past summer, Straight No Chaser released an EP of cover songs ranging from Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" to a medley of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and "Over the Rainbow."
During Tuesday's interview, Mechling said the a cappella group is working on a new Christmas album. While last year's album was music a family could play while opening presents, the new album features music for a Christmas party, Mechling said. The new album is tentatively titled "Christmas Cheers."
One of the new songs on the album is called "Christmas Can-Can." Mechling said the song comes from original lyrics and an idea by a member of Straight No Chaser, but uses the melody of Jacques Offenbach's "Can-Can."
"It's a perfect song for the hectic shopping season," said Mechling.
Shopping for Christmas is one of the things the group hasn't had time to do. Mechling said they've been in the studio recording for about 25 days for the Christmas album. Then through most of October, they'll be working on their pop album to be released next year.
What makes the work and spending so much time together easy, Mechling said, is that the 10 guys are like a family. They can argue one day, but be just fine like it never happened the next.
"I think it helps that we are all so close," he said.
On stage, Mechling promised a good mix of songs done in completely different ways that audiences have never heard before.
"We can assure you that if you come out to our show, you'll smile for 1-1/2 hours," Mechling said.[[In-content Ad]]On the Net:
Straight No Chaser:
www.sncmusic.com
Honeywell Center:
www.honeywellcenter.org
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While at Indiana University more than 10 years ago, 10 guys joined together to form an a cappella group.
After graduating in 1999, the members of Straight No Chaser each went their separate ways, but stayed in touch.
Then a record executive from Atlantic Records saw them in a video on YouTube in 2006. He asked them to get back together and signed them to a contract.
"It kind of turned our lives upside down," said Charlie Mechling, an original member of Straight No Chaser, during an interview Tuesday afternoon. "I've learned to stop planning my life for more than six months at a time."
Between graduating from IU and the record deal, each of the 10 guys had moved on with their lives. Mechling had moved to New York to pursue a career in musical theater. He said he was glad that was his career because it helped prepare him more for a music career, while the other guys had 9 to 5 jobs.
"I think it took about five minutes for us to readjust," said Mechling about getting back together with the guys. They had kept in touch, and even performed together for fun when possible.
When the record deal was offered, Mechling said there was a lot of skepticism. Seeing the possibility, however, they decided to seize the opportunity and go for it.
"Why not? It's an opportunity you can't pass up," Mechling said.
Joining Mechling in Straight No Chaser are Ryan Ahlwardt, Jerome Collins, Walter Chase, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Dan Ponce, David Roberts, Randy Stine and Tyler Trepp.
Straight No Chaser start their 50-city tour this week. After performing in Bloomington, Ill., Thursday, they will be at the Honeywell Center, Wabash, Friday night. From there, they travel to Ohio, Oregon, British Columbia, California and many other stops, ending in North Carolina Dec. 23.
"We're really, really excited," Mechling said about the tour. He said it will be good for them to get out of the studio and into rehearsals. He said he looks forward to performing in front of a live audience.
Straight No Chaser's major label debut "Holiday Spirits" sold more than 110,000 copies. They appeared on everything from CNN to "The Today Show." Their album spent 14 days in the No. 1 slot on Amazon, and five days at the top spot overall on iTunes.
Straight No Chaser's famous version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" peaked in the top 10 on the Christmas radio chart and reached the top 15 at Hot AC. On their first-ever headline tour in December 2008, Straight No Chaser sold out shows across the country.
This past summer, Straight No Chaser released an EP of cover songs ranging from Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" to a medley of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" and "Over the Rainbow."
During Tuesday's interview, Mechling said the a cappella group is working on a new Christmas album. While last year's album was music a family could play while opening presents, the new album features music for a Christmas party, Mechling said. The new album is tentatively titled "Christmas Cheers."
One of the new songs on the album is called "Christmas Can-Can." Mechling said the song comes from original lyrics and an idea by a member of Straight No Chaser, but uses the melody of Jacques Offenbach's "Can-Can."
"It's a perfect song for the hectic shopping season," said Mechling.
Shopping for Christmas is one of the things the group hasn't had time to do. Mechling said they've been in the studio recording for about 25 days for the Christmas album. Then through most of October, they'll be working on their pop album to be released next year.
What makes the work and spending so much time together easy, Mechling said, is that the 10 guys are like a family. They can argue one day, but be just fine like it never happened the next.
"I think it helps that we are all so close," he said.
On stage, Mechling promised a good mix of songs done in completely different ways that audiences have never heard before.
"We can assure you that if you come out to our show, you'll smile for 1-1/2 hours," Mechling said.[[In-content Ad]]On the Net:
Straight No Chaser:
www.sncmusic.com
Honeywell Center:
www.honeywellcenter.org
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