Original Straight No Chaser revisits roots

A decade later, after the members graduated and moved on with their lives, the original Straight No Chaser will be back on stage Saturday at the IU Auditorium for the Homecoming weekend concert.

For Homecoming, the original members of the a capella group will perform to promote their upcoming album “Holiday Spirits,” set to launch Tuesday.

This concert is appropriate because the group is a home-based group coming back to its roots, said Maria Talbert, IU Auditorium events manager.

The auditorium has a great relationship with Straight No Chaser, said Doug Booher, director of the IU Auditorium. When Booher heard the group was signing with Atlantic Records, the Auditorium staff was excited to bring them back, he said.

The current members of Straight No Chaser are also looking forward to having the original members perform.

“We are really excited for them,” said sophomore Brent Mann, a current member of Straight No Chaser. “They are like our godfathers.”

The current group, although excited, will not be able to attend the performance.
The group was asked to open, Mann said, but could not because it had another event already booked.

All of the students in the past 10 years have seen at least one version of the group, Booher said, and having them back to perform is a great opportunity for Homecoming week.

With almost 8 million hits on YouTube, the group has grown quickly in popularity. Once Atlantic Records got wind of the group, the original members signed on to release an album.

With all the mastering of music, a capella creates an artistic being, Talbert said. It is something only humans can produce.

The Auditorium is hoping for a big crowd, given the group’s popularity on campus, Talbert said.

“It’s just one of those types of shows that makes you leave feeling good about life,” Talbert said. “IU should be really proud for having such a group of guys.”
The IU Alumni Association and the IU Foundation are sponsoring the show.

The show is an opportunity to see a great night of entertainment, Booher said. Buying the album is a way to support the group, too.

“There’s something to be said for the pure human voice without any accompaniment,” Talbert said. “It’s very, very rare in these days.”


Straight No Chaser Homecoming weekend concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: IU Auditorium
More info: For admission and an advanced copy of the album, tickets are $22.50. Tickets are $16.50 for only the show. Tickets can be purchased in the box office and online at www.IUauditorium.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Anyone who does not attend the show can still purchase an advanced copy of the album for $9.99.