Straight No Chaser (group)
Origin Indiana, United States
Genres A cappella
Years active 1996–1999, 2008–present
Labels Atlantic Records
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Straight No Chaser (SNC) is a professional a cappella group which originated in 1996 at Indiana University. In 2007, a 1998 video of “The 12 Days of Christmas”, went viral with over 8 million views and subsequently led to a five-album record deal with Atlantic Records in 2008. The YouTube video has been viewed over 20 million times.
The group formed in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, Mike Itkoff, and Patrick Hachey became Straight No Chaser. Their name was inspired by the title track of Thelonious Monk’s 1967 album, Straight, No Chaser, and is a conscious evocation of the popular American slang phrase often employed in requesting a drink.
SNC’s debut was at a 36-hour dance marathon. The original members performed at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Comiskey Park and Navy Pier, opened for Lou Rawls and even toured the country, playing such venues as Carnegie Hall. The original 10 remained together from 1996 until 1999 when new students were selected to replace the graduating members. Straight No Chaser continued to exist as a collegiate group.
When the original group reformed, both groups continued to exist under the name Straight No Chaser. In April 2012, the collegiate group changed its name to Another Round, taken from the name of an earlier CD that was released by the group.
In April 2006, a 1998 video recording of “The 12 Days of Christmas” was posted on YouTube. The song was an adaptation of a 1968 comic arrangement of the song by Richard C. Gregory, a faculty member of The Williston Northampton School, for his a cappella group, the Williston Caterwaulers.[5][better source needed] SNC added their own touches, including songs like “I Have a Little Dreidel” and Toto’s “Africa”.[3] It has received over 19 million views. After viewing the video himself, Craig Kallman, CEO of Atlantic Records, called Randy Stine, who posted the video, and asked if the group would consider reuniting to record a new album.
In July 2008, eight original SNC members—Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Walter Chase, and Mike Itkoff, along with 2000–03 SNC members Mike Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt—recorded a Christmas album, Holiday Spirits, in Bloomington, Indiana. After appearances on TNT’s Christmas in Washington, Fox’s Fox & Friends, and NBC’s Today on December 22, 2008, Holiday Spirits became the #1 selling album on both the iTunes and Amazon.com charts.
On August 18, 2009, SNC announced that Michael Itkoff and Steve Morgan had decided to step down from the group to spend more time with their families.
SNC replaced them with Seggie Isho, originally from Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Tyler Trepp, originally from Urbandale, Iowa. Both Isho and Trepp were members of the collegiate SNC group at Indiana University: Isho 2003–05, and Trepp 2003–07. Don Nottingham replaced Dan Ponce in September 2010 when Dan decided to return to television journalism in Chicago. In December 2012, Ryan Ahlwardt left the group and Steve Morgan rejoined the group the following month. In May 2017, Don Nottingham left the group to spend more time with his family.
In November 2013 the group released a holiday EP, titled Under the Influence: Holiday Edition including “Wonderful Christmastime”, a track with Paul McCartney.
In November 2014, the group released a new Christmas track entitled “Text Me Merry Christmas” featuring singer-actress Kristen Bell.
In May 2015, the group sang “Back Home Again in Indiana” for the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.
In October 2015, the group released the album The New Old Fashioned. A year later, in October 2016, the group released I’ll Have Another… Christmas Album.
Discography
Albums
Title Album details Chart positions
Holiday Spirits
Released: 2008
Label: Atlantic
Christmas Cheers
Released: 2009
Label: Atlantic
With a Twist
Released: 2010
Label: Atlantic
Under the Influence
Released: May 2013
Label: Atlantic
The New Old Fashioned
Released: October 2015
Label: Atlantic
I’ll Have Another…Christmas Album
Released: October 2016
Label: Atlantic
Extended plays
Title Extended play details
Six Pack
Released: 2009
Label: Atlantic
Six Pack: Volume 2
Released: 2011
Label: Atlantic
Under the Influence: Holiday Edition
Released: November 2013
Label: Atlantic
Six Pack: Volume 3
Released: July 21, 2017
Label: Atlantic
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