More than 10 years ago, four friends joined their voices to form an a cappella group.
Today, Tonic Sol-fa has released numerous CDs and DVDs, appeared on the "Today Show" and had hour-long specials continuously play on PBS. They've played in many concert venues, at colleges and for corporate events.
On Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m., the Minnesota-based vocal group will perform at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. Reserved tickets are $20 and are available at the box office or by calling 574-371-5040. Zimmer is sponsoring the concert.
Tuesday afternoon, Tonic Sol-fa member Mark McGowan gave a telephone interview about the group and its music.
McGowan said they started out in college. Over the years the group evolved and they had some member changes. McGowan and Shaun Johnson were in the original formation of the group about 15 years ago, with Greg Bannwarth joining after the first year. Jared Dove joined in 2000.
"We've been fortunate to find guys who enjoy doing a cappella," said McGowan. "We've had the good fortune to be able to work together. I think it's a combination of finding the right people and the time to work together."
When the group started out, some of them had jobs or were still in school. They decided that the only way to be successful with the group was to do it full time and not have outside distractions.
"We have to do this as the only thing we do to be successful," McGowan said.
Initially, they gave themselves two years, and it worked. Each year, McGowan said, the group has grown and expanded into public television, CDs and touring.
"We've probably put out 10 to 12 CDs and two DVDs to date. We're working on a third DVD and a new CD in the spring," said McGowan.
"Anytime we're not performing, we're trying to get in the studio," he said.
Johnson sings lead vocals and probably would be considered the leader of the group, McGowan said. Johnson provides lots of ideas and always is hard working and talented.
Bannwarth, McGowan said, is the on-stage comedian. He's very quick and funny and is the group's arranger.
"He's very key to arranging. He has all of it in his head," said McGowan. "He just knows and hears that stuff."
Dove is the group's bass. McGowan said he is very innovative and provides crazy syllables and "life" to the music. Off stage, Dove handles all the group's Internet workings, from Facebook and Twitter to music on iTunes.
"He's done a great job. It's grown a lot over the past five years," McGowan said.
Their music is a mix of covers and originals. A few years ago, Tonic Sol-fa put out eight to 10 originals. Then they went back to covers. Their spring release will likely be originals.
In selecting the songs, McGowan said, "It's a little bit of a process. ... The final determination is if it's connecting with audiences. If it's not 90 percent of the time, it just gets tossed."
Personally, McGowan said, he doesn't have a preference whether the group does originals or covers. For him, he said, it depends on the arrangements and if it feels good.
When Tonic Sol-fa does covers, some of them are really well-known that people know and like immediately. Other covers, he said, are lesser known and sometimes people think they are Tonic Sol-fa originals.
"As long as the audience likes what we do, it doesn't matter what we do," McGowan said.
The group's disc "Just One of Those Days" features songs written by Nashville songwriters that haven't yet been picked up by national artists. While Tonic Sol-fa didn't write them, the group is the original performer.
"It's a slower process for us as an a cappella group to establish ourselves with original songs when the competition does covers," he said.
But Tonic Sol-fa continues to get their name out there.
For Thanksgiving three or four years ago, Tonic Sol-fa was invited to perform on the "Today Show". McGowan said the group was preparing for their holiday show when they got a call to go on the show. They got on the plane, headed east and recorded the show on a Saturday.
At that time, McGowan said, the group was on an independent record label that helped promote the group. Unfortunately, the company went under, taking its opportunities with it.
Currently, Tonic Sol-fa isn't with a record label, but they've been fortunate in other ways to get their music out to their fans.
"We've been fortunate to have three PBS specials and two Emmy nominations," said McGowan.Their Emmy nominations were for a holiday arrangement and a philanthropic commercial.
An original Tonic Sol-fa composition, "Sno", was on Walmart's most popular Christmas video, "The 12 Dogs of Christmas". They've been featured in Newsweek, Country Weekly and MediaStyle magazines. Performances have been given at national Republican and Democrat events, for former presidents, the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago Bears, the New York Mets, the Minnesota Timberwolves and others.
Recently, the main way the group gets its music out is through its website and fans. McGowan said they have more than 40,000 people on their mailing list, their e-mail list is growing and they have thousands of fans on Facebook. Their songs also are available on iTunes.
Concerts are the best venues for them to sell their CDs and DVDs. If a person loves the show, they'll stop and buy.
Anyone attending the Sept. 9 show at the WCHS PAC, McGowan said, can expect a solid show that's been really well received over the years.
Tonic Sol-fa sings a ton during the show, and offers a wide variety of music. The show is fun for the whole family, McGowan said, and there is nothing to offend anyone.
"It's a good time, good music and entertaining. Everyone goes home happy," he said.
