Monday, October 6, 2008

A Cappella Forever.......

If you were among the 8 million people that viewed the a cappella group Straight No Chaser last Christmas season (singing their version of the Twelve Days of Christmas), you will be tickled (yes, tickled) to hear that they have been offered a record deal. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, you can see them here:

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The group, founded ten years ago at Indiana University had a good run during their college days - they performed at Carnegie Hall, sang the national anthem at a Chicago Cubs game, took the usual collegiate road trips. That was ten years ago - they are now all grown up with grown up jobs (only one of them singing professionally). In the most unlikely and magical ending to this story, Atlantic Records has offered the group a five-album record deal. Their first album, a Christmas album of course, will be released shortly.

There are currently more than 1,200 collegiate a cappella groups in the United States and in Canada. I have always been a huge fan of a cappella singing - and collegiate groups are big favourites. The variety of groups across Canada and the States is huge - Pirate Singers at Brown, The Varsity Jews at the University of Toronto, plus more crazy combinations. My second born, son and heir created a male a cappella group at his Canadian University - and although I'm not sure it will lead to a record deal (or 8 million viewers on Youtube.com) it brings spirit and fun to the campus and gives the singers a chance to participate in university life. (Email me, and I'll send you the youtube links to his group...)

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