State Theatre, AEG Live, and AM Productions are presenting the a cappella group, Straight No Chaser for one night only on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at8pm. The concert will include songs from Straight No Chaser’s Christmas albums as well as songs from their latest album, With A Twist. Tickets range from $25-45.
Current members of Straight No Chaser include Ryan Ahlwardt, Walter Chaser, Jerome Collins, Seggie Isho, Michael Luginbill, Charlie Mechling, Don Nottingham, Randy Stine, Tyler Trepp, and Dave Roberts.
For this one night only appearance, Straight No Chaser will be performing songs from their two Christmas albums—including “12 Days of Christmas” the song that made them a YouTube sensation—as well as their a cappella renditions of hits such as Soft Cell's “Tainted Love,” Queen’s “Your My Best Friend,” Coldplay’s “Fix You,” Red Hot Chili Peppers' “Under the Bridge,” and a fusion of Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours” and Israel Kamakawiwoole's treatment of The Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Straight No Chaser was originally formed on the college campus of Indiana University in 1996. A group of friends with a passion for singing decided to create the group as an outlet for enjoying and sharing their musical hobby with the campus and community. Little did they realize that their college a cappella group would become a national sensation years later.
Straight No Chaser followed an unconventional path to fame. After the founders of the group graduated, incoming students kept Straight No Chaser alive. Over 50 students have been members of the a cappella group at one point in time. After a 10 year reunion of the group’s original members on the Indiana University campus, founding singer Randy Stine posted clips from a past concert on YouTube. In only a year’s time, the videos had racked up millions of hits. Today, Straight No Chaser has over 25 million cumulative YouTube views. One of these viewers was Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman. Kallman was impressed by Straight No Chaser’s fresh approach to a cappella. Kallman offered the group a recording deal in 2008.
Since then, Straight No Chaser has released a total of four albums—Holiday Spirit, Six Pack (EP), Christmas Cheers, and their most recent album, With A Twist. They have made several television appearances and have proven successful in reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape.
For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday 1pm to 5pm; and at least one hour prior to curtain on performance dates. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517.Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
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