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Food and Drink | Entertainment
FOOD, DRINK, AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES
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STORIES FROM EVERYONE’S FAVORITE
A CAPPELLA GROUP, STRAIGHT NO CHASER.
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With 15 years in the music business, 8 albums, “A good story is like a good
and more than 1.5 million concert tickets sold, recipe – you take deliciously
Straight No Chaser treasure two things: family fresh ingredients, prepare
and food. Straight No Chaser Sound Bites features a them with love, and deliver
collection of their favoritefood and drink recipes the unexpected. And that
combined with behind-the-scenes stories as they sums up the incredible true
welcome their fans into the family. story of a cappella’s premier
group, Straight No Chaser.
Formed in 1996 at Indiana University, Straight Funny, wise, heartfelt, and
No Chaser’s story is replete with twists and entertaining, this might be
turns. Sound Bites deliciously recounts members’ the fi rst cookbook that comes
memories of moments from an unlikely yet with its own playlist!”
wonderful cascade of events that propelled
—CRAIG PERRY,
forward their career of creating music, touring, Film Producer of the
and becoming part of countless family traditions. American Pie and Final
Destination franchises
Steve, Jerome, Charlie, Randy, Walt, Mike, Jasper,
Seggie, and Tyler each off er their own (sometimes “Chef’s kiss to this masterful
contradicting) stories of their adventures, as well collection of deliciousness.
as sensational recipes for cocktails, such as the It’s vibrant and is bound to
Honey Lavender Greyhound, Grapefruit Jalapeno spark joy!”
Cilantro Shrub, and SN-Tini, and foods, including
—MCKINZIE ROTH,
“Choose Your Own Adventure” Risotto, Great-
TV Host, Radio Personality,
Grandma Erma’s Apple Crisp, SNC M&C, Momma
and Podcaster
C’s Fried Chicken—and many more.
Straight No Chaser Sound Bites invites the group’s
many fans, old and new, to celebrate the harmony
redlightningbooks.com $22.00
of music, food, and drink in their own homes. A Cappella Cocktails
So settle in and enjoy. ISBN 9781684351725 , ,
52200 >
and Cuisine
9 781684 351725
A Cappella Cocktails
, ,
and Cuisine
straight no chaser, inc.
This book is a publication of
Red Lightning Books
1320 East 10th Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405 USA
Redlightningbooks.com
© 2021 by Straight No Chaser, Inc.
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying
and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements
of the American National Standard for Information Sciences—
Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.48–1992.
Manufactured in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Straight No Chaser (Musical group) author.
Title: Straight No Chaser sound bites : a cappella,
cocktails, and cuisine / Straight No Chaser, Inc.
Description: Bloomington : Red Lightning Books, 2021.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021038082 (print) | LCCN 2021038083 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781684351725 (hardback) | ISBN 9781684351732 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Straight No Chaser (Musical group) | Vocal groups—
United States. | Cookbooks. | Cocktails. | LCGFT: Cookbooks.
Classification: LCC ML421.S8165 S77 2021 (print) | LCC
ML421.S8165 (ebook) | DDC 782.806—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021038082
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021038083
First Printing 2021
To our families, who have instilled in us
a love of music and food.
To our fans, the Chasers, who allowed us a career in music.
And to our fellow creators: whether it’s pastries or performance,
we hope this fuels your inspiration.
Contents
Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Sound Bites An Introduction 2
Verse 1 Jerome Collins 10
Verse 2 Jasper Smith 28
Verse 3 Tyler Trepp 48
Verse 4 Charlie Mechling 66
Verse 5 Randy Stine 85
Verse 6 Walter Chase 106
Verse 7 Steve Morgan 126
Verse 8 Seggie Isho 146
Verse 9 Mike Luginbill 166
Sounding Off 186
Foreword
The story of Straight No Chaser is a story of luck, timing, and talent. But most
importantly, it’s about second chances in life. Little did I know that, on New
Year’s Day 2008, I would discover a group that would be one of the most unique
signings I’ve made in my career. On that fateful day, I was surfing YouTube when
I came across a video of an all-male collegiate a cappella group performing a
unique version of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I was instantly captivated. It was
natural, uncontrived, and all the growth—a phenomenal eight million views at
that point—was totally organic.
That same morning, I called Randy. At first, he thought it was some kind
of prank, but I managed to convince him otherwise and flew Randy Stine and
Dan Ponce to LA. We met over dinner, and I suggested that the group come
to New York for a live audition before the Atlantic team later that month. But
that proved far easier said than done. As it turned out, the video I had watched
was over nine years old, and the band members had long since graduated and
dispersed into the real world of families and jobs, mostly outside of music and
entertainment. To compound the situation, they were scattered across the globe.
Nevertheless, I offered to fly them all in from wherever they were. Happily,
they agreed. Outside of a wedding here and there, this was the first time they
had sung together in a decade. They were incredible, and I got a deal in motion
that same day. I just had a feeling about these guys. Some people in the office
| ix |
