You may be thinking, “Straight No Who?” but chances are you’ve heard the music of Straight No Chaser whether you realize it or not. A video of “The 12 Days of Christmas,” recorded in 1998 when they were a 10-member a cappella group at Indiana University and posted to YouTube in 2006, took the internet by storm with over 10 million views. If you have an internet connection, you’ve probably seen it.
One of those 10 million viewers was Atlantic Records Chairman/Ceo Craig Kallman; the rest, as they say, is history.
Here’s that original video:
SNC’s 2008 Christmas album, Holiday Spirits, spent 14 days in the #1 slot on Amazon and 5 days at the top spot overall on iTunes. Their new album, Christmas Cheers, is a fresh 15-track collection of holiday tunes, and the guys are hard at work on a new pop album for 2010.
I was able to attend both a Straight No Chaser meet and greet and concert recently in Atlanta. These guys are amazing—talented singers and choreographers, gracious, and handsome to boot—they’ve got the whole package.
Because I don’t seem to be able to operate both a film and video camera at the same time, this is only part of the song and the camera dips a bit, but here is SNC performing the pop hit “I’m Yours” at the meet and greet before the concert. If you listen at the end you’ll hear Stacie and Renee, too. The guys were incredibly nice, performing just for us and even asking questions about our blogs. They dedicated a song to Anissa, who suffered her stroke that same week.
You knew you were going to get pictures, right?
Win a Copy!
If you would like to win one of two copies of Straight No Chaser’s new 2009 Christmas release, “Christmas Cheers,” just leave a comment telling us this: Are you already a SNC fan, are they totally new to you, or did you see that first video and realize that you were one of the 10 million viewers who had watched their 1996 performance on YouTube?
Help me spread the word and get a second entry by sharing on Twitter or Facebook, something like: “Win @SNCMusic’s CD Christmas Cheers from @DawnMHSH http://bit.ly/7l8zFE” Be sure to leave a separate comment for additional entries.
You can follow SNC on Twitter @SNCMusic or @Ryansongs.
Contest ends Wednesday night, December 16.
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I am an old fan. Saw the video a few years ago and loved their sound. They have such incredible talent! Just saw them in concert and was speechless. WOW! Meet them after-they are just as personable and down to earth as you see on stage. They are amazing. Honestly, can’t even put in to words how talented they are.
I saw the 12 days song first a couple years ago — love these guys. The original video is one of my favorite Christmas Songs — and my kids enjoy it, too.
A Capella groups are the only way to listen to music and the God given talents the singers have been blessed with. I have recently discovered this through hearing SNC’S 12 Days of Christmas for the first time this year. I heard the song on the radio and immediately searched the internet to find out more about the song and the group. Simply electric!! Now I find myself needing to hear that song every day — it will be a sad day when the Christmas season is over and the radio stops playing Christmas songs. I also find myself glued to the new show “Sing Off.” There are some great groups on that show as well. One way or the other, I need to get a SNC CD so I can listen to them year round!!
I miss the rain down in Africa . . .
I just listened to Straight No Chaser for the first time and I am blown away by this group! I checked to see if they will be visiting my area and they are coming to Tampa in April. I will be there for sure! These guys have touched my soul. They are uplifting, funny and inspirational. This is music at its best!!!
I just heard SNC for the first time tonight; a friend sent me the You Tube link that got it all started for them and I spent the next hour (when I should have been working) listening to everything I could get my hands on. Wow, wow, wow! We have an a capella concert here in Lewiston, Maine every year and I attend religiously — not sure how these guys slid below my radar, but I’m VERY grateful to my friend for introducing me to their wonderful music.
Today was the first time I heard the 12 days of Christmas song/video
wonderful
a teacher at the high school i work
at showed it to me.
I heard of these guys during a live session on 103.5 two weeks ago.
It was amazing.
I’m not a big fan of christmas music, but they did really good.
Heard them for the first time on KOSI 101.1 in Denver and we’re hooked! Their cd’s make Christmas shopping easy – everyone is getting a copy!
My husband and I were decorating our Christmas Tree this evening and had Jolly (Christmas music) on Sirius. My husband heard 12 Days of Christmas and I had to hear it. So we replayed it like three times and loved it!!!! Then just an hour or so later we had PBS on and they were playing the SNC special!!!!! We’d never heard of these guys and suddenly we heard them twice in one night!!!!!! We both loved the tv special and can’t wait to get their CDs! :~)
I just discovered them this week, but I’m liking what I hear. I’d love to win their new CD.
SNC is the best acapela group I’ve had the pleasure of hearing and seeing. BRAVO !!
Are you already a SNC fan, are they totally new to you, or did you see that first video and realize that you were one of the 10 million viewers who had watched their 1996 performance on YouTube?
I just learned about SNC while listening to Sirius/XM’s Christmas (Holly) Channel. I heard the song Christmas Can-Can and enjoyed the group’s funny lyrics and singing.
I was listening to Chris-Mix in Las Vegas and heard the 12 Days. It was my first time hearing it and I fell in love at first sound. Of course I looked them up right away and listened to them and enjoyed all of their songs. I sent their link on to many of my friends as my little holiday gift to them. And purchased a few cd’s also…. So thank you! And Merry Christmas!
I heard these guys this year for the first time on a local radio station. I am in love.!!
Regarding your SNC contest: The group is new to me via QVC’s regular broadcast. I saw them advertising a CD by a 10-voice a capaella men’s ensemble, so I ordered a copy. I started playing it as soon as it arrived.
I cracked up at Randy on “Mr. Grinch.”
Then I discovered their website.
These guys are GR-R-REAT!
I work third shift and was on my way home after another long night. Had the radio on in my car and heard their 12 Days of Christmas. It was great! I was laughing and enjoying it so much I forgot how tired I was. As soon as I got home instead of going to bed I turned on my laptop and searched them. I LOVE these guys! I was in choir all my school years, and I never heard anything quite so wonderful and uplifting. They are amazing! Definitely got a new fan here. :D
I just saw Straight No Chaser on a public broadcast this weekend and loved it! I never heard of them before that broadcast. They are a very entertaining group and Im looking to buy tickets to go see them in my area. I hear about them all the time now they are a big hit and I cant wait to see them! :)
I am a new fan of Straight No Chaser and believe it or not had not seen any of their videos until last night – and I’m and band and chorus director.
SNC is ‘The Bomb’…these guys are not just a delight to watch, their music inspires the best in a person! They came to Oregon in October, but I was not able to get off work to drive to where they were playing (KF & MFR). I see they will be in Oregon again this coming May, and you know I’m gonna get the time off to go see them in Bend. They got to see Crater Lake National Park and it looks like they really enjoyed that. I haven’t been able to find their Christmas cd here in our little town (very little town), but hopefully I’ll get a copy of it soon. I watch their videos on U-Tube all the time! You guys are GREAT…thanks for having the guts to put this group together and share your talents with the rest of the world :)
I just heard “The Christmas Can-Can” on my radio and was laughing my head off – while waiting in traffic! I loved the sounds, the lyrics, everything! I kept listening and heard a few more of their holiday songs – love them! I had never heard of them before, but I’m glad I did! :-)
SNC performed at our Annual Holiday Show back in 1996. While it wasn’t the original group, they were good. My husband and I got to see SNC just a couple weeks ago at the Murat. They were fabulous. I’m surprised I haven’t worn out the CD by now.
First heard these guys on SIRIUS Holly music channel a few weeks ago. Now I’m addicted!
I first saw the YouTube video and LOVE their version of the 12 Days…!
I just saw the 12 Days of Christmas for the 1st time today! I love it!!!
I’ve heard them sing before (thank you, YouTube viral video) but just recently found their website and I’ve been listening ever since! Thanks for the giveaway!
Wow you guys rock i can’t belive the way you changed christmas music into the cool icy freeze music you created i now listen to you guys and im gonna facebook and twitter everyone i know about you guys because i want everyone to know how awsome you guys are. my favorite song is 12 days of christmas best christmas song ever. also im gonna tell everyone i know to go to your concerts
i know at least 50 people that go all out to your concerts. one of my best friends laughed so hard he fell down a hill one day walking to school. EVERYONE ALL OVER THE WORLD SHOULD LISTEN TO SNC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! kids adults teens elders should all be happy listening to snc music
YOU GUYS ROCK !!!!!! :p
Saw these guys when my kids showed it to me. Both my son and daughter are in a capella groups at their university. Love the harmonies!! This music appeals to all age groups and all music genre listeners :-)
I was one of those that saw the 1996 U Tube video, but didn’t remember that until now. I knew I loved SNC in 2008 when I heard 12 Days around the holidays. Since then, I have become more interested in a capella music and shows. You are amazing and entertaining! Keep up your incredible talent! I’ll be looking forward to a show in Oklahoma.
Really brand new to them. A friend just referred me to them and I am already loving the music. CAn’t say that i have seen the video before, but glad to hear their music now.
My younger sister and I have been fans since last year!! We love this group, and she has been asking for their CD for Christmas! I would love to win this for her… :D She would be soooo excited!!!
I am brand new to SNC music…a friend had become a fan on facebook so i checked them out. So glad I did!!!!
I have been a fan since last year, and my sister would love this CD as a gift!!!
I just heard about Straight No Chaser TODAY. I asked Facebook friends what gets them in the Christmas spirit and one friend responded she’s addicted to Straight No Chaser’s CD. I decided to look them up, and now I’m addicted too! It would be great to win a free CD for myself, I’ve already thought of two friends to give the Christmas CD to who would love the group as much as I already do!
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