Straight No Chaser

• Genre: A Cappella

About

The tradition of collegiate a cappella performance in the United States is a long one -- it was almost a century old when Straight No Chaser formed in 1996, becoming the first a cappella group on the campus of the University of Indiana. The group was first assembled by its leader, Dan Ponce, and won wild popularity on the campus and beyond, singing at professional sports games and competing in the National Championship of Collegiate A Cappella at New York's Carnegie Hall. As popular as the outfit was during its school days, its visibility increased dramatically after a brief reunion in 2006, when videos of old performances began circulating on YouTube. One particular performance, a wacky version of "12 Days of Christmas," arrived in many an inbox during the holiday season in 2007, and the band inked a deal with Atlantic Records. They soon set to work recording a proper debut, Holiday Spirits, the following year.

- Nate Cavalieri