Five years ago, a commercial version of Straight No Chaser emerged with the YouTube posting of the original group’s 1998 performance of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” SNC’s take was based on a humorous 1967 arrangement by the Williston Caterwaulers, but SNC incorporated fresh ideas, adding a snippet of “The Dreidel Song” and adapting verses to the melody of Toto’s “Africa.” Atlantic Records CEO Craig Kallman offered the group a recording contract, resulting in 2008’s Holiday Spirits, which topped online sales charts.
In 2009, SNC filmed a concert in New York for PBS, then released their Six Pack EP, followed by their second holiday album, Christmas Cheer. The Christmas albums and the concert DVD became last year’s All I Want for Christmas box set. Last year also marked the release of SNC’s first non-Christmas album, With a Twist, and a 75-city North America/UK tour, while 2011 saw the group’s second residency at Harrah’s in Atlantic City and their performance in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Like the original IU group, the personnel
in Straight No Chaser’s touring arm is in constant flux, as old members
opt out and student graduates are recruited. The level of talent in
Straight No Chaser remains insanely high, as does the amount of fun to
be experienced at any given SNC show.
