Straight No Chaser – I’ll Have Another Tour Austin, Texas Blogger Event
On Saturday night, I had the pleasure of experiencing Straight No Chaser for the first time. This was no typical experience. A group of 10 Austin bloggers were invited to this special Straight No Chaser – I’ll Have Another Tour Austin, Texas blogger event by Mom it Forward and Atlantic Records. They invited us to meet Straight No Chaser before the concert during their soundcheck. Then, we were given a generous stipend for dinner. Finally, we were given seats to see the Straight No Chaser concert at the Long Center.
Straight No Chaser – I’ll Have Another Tour Austin, Texas Blogger Event
The Straight No Chaser Meet-and-Greet
Our evening started at 5pm. The 10 Austin bloggers met at the Long Center. There were a few women I had met before and I was looking forward to seeing them and getting to know them better. Upon arrival, we quickly introduced ourselves and then made our way inside the concert hall.
The security escorted us into the grand hall. It was mostly empty except for a few Long Center employees, members of the Straight No Chaser entourage, and, up on stage, were the 10 singers of SNC. We made our way to the front row and took our seats. It was pretty much just us, the Austin bloggers, and Straight No Chaser. We had no idea this meeting would be so up close and personal. We chatted and asked them some questions.
The Background of Straight No Chaser A Capella Group from Indiana University
The story of the Straight No Chaser a cappella group started around 20 years ago at Indiana University. When the original members graduated, they found replacements to keep the group going. Then, in 2006, one of the original members uploaded an old SNC video to YouTube. It was their 1998 video recording of “The 12 Days of Christmas”. Well, things took off from there. The Straight No Chaser video went viral and ended up in the right hands. Craig Kallman, the CEO of Atlantic Records, saw it and so began the talks of a record deal.
The members of SNC no longer have “day jobs”. It’s a round-the-clock gig. Many of the members have degrees in music or theater, but there are few Math, technical, and business majors in the group. They now devote their full attention to Straight No Chaser, keeping much of the duties in house. They are more than just performers.
What?!? A Private Song Performance by Straight No Chaser?
Straight No Chaser A Capella Group from Indiana University Meet and Greet Austin, TexasThese guys were so friendly and down-to-earth. The meet-and-greet ended with a song performance just for us! It was amazing! I was in awe the whole time. I couldn’t wait for the actual concert. Finally, our meeting ended with a big group photo.
Austin, Texas Bloggers Meet Straight No Chaser at I’ll Have Another Tour at the Long CenterAustin, Texas Bloggers Dinner at Vox Table
Mom it Forward gave us a very generous stipend for dinner. Our group chose Vox Table, a New-American style restaurant on South Lamar that serves chef-crafted small plates with farm-to-table ingredients.
The food and drink menus were impressive. There were lots of options. I’m normally indecisive at restaurants. It drives my husband crazy. What was nice about Vox Table, is that the plates are designed for sharing. We ordered lots of different menu items and were able to try so many dishes. It is hard to choose my favorite dish (surprising?). My favorites were the fritters, cheese and bread plate, and the bacon and eggs dish. One of the other bloggers liked the ham part of the bacon and eggs dish so much, she brought home the leftovers. Then came dessert…. wow! We got a chocolate cake and some sort of panna cotta fruity dessert. Both were good, though the panna cotta dish was incredible! I would go back just for that! We had to quickly leave the restaurant as we were running late for the concert. Many of us finished the desserts standing up, on our way out, because we did not want to waste even a bite!
Vox Table – Austin Bloggers Straight No Chaser EventStraight No Chaser – I’ll Have Another Concert Tour in Austin, Texas Review
We arrived at the concert just as they were singing the first song. The ushers helped us quickly find our seats, a few rows back from the stage.
The SNC performance was so much fun. I was not sure what to expect. I had seen a cappella before. At the University of Texas, we had Schrodinger’s Cat in the late 90s.
The Straight No Chaser a cappella concert was more than just a few guys standing on stage and singing. They had some choreography and interacted with the audience a little bit. There was quite a lot of family-friendly humor thrown it the mix.
After the intermission, the majority of the songs were from the new, ‘I’ll Have Another… Christmas Album’. Here are the places to get your own Straight No Chaser I’ll Have Another Christmas Album.
Austin, Texas Bloggers at the SNC I’ll Have Another Concert Tour at the Long CenterWatch some video of the Straight No Chaser I’ll Have Another Tour in Austin, Texas
YouTube – Straight No Chaser Concert in Austin, Texas – Austin Bloggers Event
Facebook Live Videos of Straight No Chaser
Thanks again Straight No Chaser, Mom it Forward, and Atlantic Records. Also, thank you to Free Fun in Austin for the invitation and all of the other wonderful Austin, Texas bloggers that helped make the evening incredible.
Shellie
simplyshellie.com
Jamie
creatingreallyawesomefunthings.com
Nicole
myfitfamily.com
Alice Chase
thrillofthechases.com
Adriana Cantu
jacksmominaustin.com
Julie
momfabulous.com
Rachel
chachingqueen.com
Kristin
twocannoli.com
firewheelcommunications.com
Addie
Representing: rwethereyetmom.com
Rachel K. Belkin, M.Ed is an Austin, Texas blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, freelance writer, and educator. After selling her lifestyle blog for six figures in 2021, she teaches business, blogging, and influencer marketing strategies that helped her build her business on part-time hours. Bylines include MSN, Associated Press, HuffPost, Medium, NewsBreak, and Hometalk. She has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, and other news and media outlets.
