Straight No Chaser Perform At The Benedum Center 12/13

By reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape, the unique Straight No Chaser is ten vocalists who have come together to create remarkable music, and combined with their sense of humor, entertain and leave audiences begging for more. As original SNC member Randy Stine comments, “We take the music very seriously; we just don’t take ourselves too seriously.” Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman found the group’s music “brilliant, fresh and totally compelling.” Straight No Chaser returns to Pittsburgh and will perform on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center. This performance is presented by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and is part of the 2011-2012 Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

If the phrase “male a cappella group” invokes an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivy league campuses…think again. Straight No Chaser is neither straight-laced nor straight-faced. Providing interpretations with a twist, Straight No Chaser’s 2011 tour will feature impressive vocals and captivating personalities of original group members, Randy Stine, Charlie Mechling, Jerome Collins, David Roberts and Walter Chase, with newer SNC members, Michael Luginbill, Ryan Ahlwardt, Seggie Isho, Don Nottingham and Tyler Trepp.

Originally formed more than a dozen years ago at Indiana University, Straight No Chaser has reassembled and re-emerged as a phenomenon with a remarkable fan base, millions of views on YouTube, numerous national TV appearances, and proven success with three holiday releases: Holiday Spirits (2008), Christmas Cheers (2009) and All I Want for Christmas (2010). In an era when music is the product of digital processing and vocal pro-tooling, Straight No Chaser is completely authentic. Prior to the 2009 holiday album, SNC released Six Pack (2009), a six-track CD exclusive with Amazon that received excellent fan reviews. With a Twist (2010) is the group’s first full-length departure from holiday music, which successfully placed #29 on the Billboard 200. During the summer of 2011, Straight No Chaser performed an exclusive engagement for eight weeks at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

"We can't wait to get back out on the road and visit our fans all across the country," says original group member Randy Stine. "The foundation of Straight No Chaser is our live performance. We pride ourselves on a show that anyone of any age or background can enjoy. This time around, we will be performing new songs on a new stage. It's the biggest production we've ever put together, and we are so excited to share it with our fans, since they are the ones who got us here."

Tickets ($32.25-$57.25) for Straight No Chaser on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 8:00 p.m., at the Benedum Center, may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, 655 Penn Avenue, online at www.TrustArts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. To purchase 10 or more tickets at special discounted rates, please call (412) 471-6930.