HispanicBusiness

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 05/07/13 -- Atlantic Records recording group Straight No Chaser has announced an array of activity surrounding the release of their eagerly anticipated new album. "UNDER THE INFLUENCE" arrives today in stores and at all leading DSPs.

Straight No Chaser will celebrate this evening with a very special concert event for fans and contest winners on the Southwest Airlines Porch at New York City's Bryant Park. The acclaimed a cappella group will then perform live on the upcoming Mother's Day episode of NBC's TODAY: Weekend Edition, scheduled for Sunday, May 12th (check local listings). SNC heralded "UNDER THE INFLUENCE" earlier this week with an appearance on Bravo's highly rated Watch What Happens Live.

"UNDER THE INFLUENCE" sees the acclaimed a cappella group reimagining a selection of their all time favorite songs alongside many of the superstar artists and undisputed music icons that made them famous. Produced by Mark Kibble -- a founding member of the legendary a cappella group Take 6 and one of Straight No Chaser's primary influences -- the album includes unprecedented collaborations with some of popular music's best and brightest -- including Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Rob Thomas, Seal, and Jason Mraz -- as Straight No Chaser put their distinctive and inimitable spin on songs known and loved the world over.

The album is highlighted by the new single, "I Want You Back" featuring Sara Bareilles. A companion video for the inventive take on the Jackson 5 classic -- as well audio clips for an array of additional album tracks -- are streaming now at the official Straight No Chaser YouTube channel, located at www.youtube.com/sncmusic.

"UNDER THE INFLUENCE" has quickly won Straight No Chaser critical applause from all corners. Perez Hilton declared "I Won't Give Up (Feat. Jason Mraz)" to be an "intoxicating concoction," while Broadway World noted that "the tremendously talented ten men that make up Straight No Chaser are ideally matched by (Elton John)... especially memorable." "One a cappella group, Straight No Chaser, was way ahead of the trend," declared Entertainment Weekly, "and given their devoted fanbase and a caholics, it's likely that they'll be around long after (a cappella) fades out of the pop culture forefront -- if, in fact, it ever does."

Long hailed as an especially thrilling and engaging live act, Straight No Chaser has scheduled a series of special release week concerts, kicking off May 9th at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey (see below itinerary). The group's "Summer of Influence Tour" kicks off June 21st at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton Beach, NH and then travels through mid-August. The "Under The Influence North American Tour" will then get underway October 16th at the Missouri Theatre in Columbia, MO. The fall trek will culminate with seven shows in five days in their home state of Indiana, including four closing shows on December 21st and 22nd at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre in Indianapolis. For up to the minute news and tour information, please visit www.sncmusic.com/tour.