Vocal country music? Country a capella? Beatbox barbershop country? However you want to label the group’s music, Home Free is one of the most unusual success stories in recent music history and brings its unique style of music to Peterborough Musicfest on Wednesday, August 12th at 8 p.m.
Originally formed in 2000 by brothers Chris and Adam Rupp out of their college dorm room in Mankato in Minnesota, Home Free became a household name in the U.S. in December 2013 when the group won the fourth season of NBC’s The Sing-Off, earning them $100,000 and a recording contract with Sony.
“We went from virtual obscurity to national recognition in just a couple months,” Chris says. “We never ever in our wildest dreams thought we would be on a major label. I mean, a cappella in major retailers? National spotlight? All we wanted before was to be able to make a living doing what we love, so to be at this point now — it’s almost overwhelming.”
Since their win, Home Free has released two albums — Crazy Life and Full Of Cheer — selling more than 150,000 copies. Their third release on Columbia Records is coming this fall.
They’ve toured across North America, selling more than 100,000 tickets, and become a huge success on social media, with more than 20 music videos accumulating 40 million views on YouTube.
Home Free began as a hobby for Chris and Adam, along with other founding members Matt Atwood, Darren Scruggs, and Dan Lemke.
“I always liked being on stage,” Chris says. “Most of us started performing young. The earliest I can remember is singing in church around the age of six or so. Back in high school, I’d been just blown away when I heard a capella music, by the power of what just the human voice could do. By college, I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.'”
By 2007, the group decided to pursue a career in music full-time. With the exception of the Rupp brothers, members came and went, eventually resulting in their current line-up: tenor Rob Lundquist joined the group in 2008, bass Tim Foust in 2012, and lead tenor Austin Brown in 2013 (replacing long-time lead singer Matt Atwood, who retired from the group to focus on his family).
“We saw Rob performing with another group,” Adam explains. “That group broke up and we asked him to join. We met Tim through various networking four years ago. Austin was a featured singer on a cruise ship where we were also performing, so that’s how we hooked up.”
All five members of Home Free have formal musical training. Chris, Adam, and Rob each have bachelor’s degrees in music. Chris is also the group’s musical director, doing much of the writing and arranging. While they don’t play instruments in Home Free, Adam is skilled in trumpet (as well as drums, keyboard, and bass guitar) and Chris is an accomplished pianist and composer.
Home Free is structured like a traditional barbershop quartet, with a lead tenor, two harmony voices, and a bass. As lead tenor, Austin sings most of the solos (although most members sing the occasional solo as well). Rob sings tenor harmony, Chris sings baritone harmony, and Tim sings bass. Adam gives the group a modern sound by providing vocal percussion.
“We were performing several country songs in our shows, but really started including more when Tim became a member of the group,” Austin recalls. “He has had his own country album and has written a lot of songs. We started doing more country, putting our own style to it and now there’s really nothing like this out there.”
Home Free has become known for their high-energy performances, along with quick-witted humour that you can see in their music videos. Along with their extensive touring schedule across North America, they performed at CMA Music Fest and the MLB All-Star Game in 2014.
“We’d love to eventually be as well regarded and iconic as the Statler Brothers or the Oak Ridge Boys and be an inspiration to the next generation of musicians who want to follow their dreams,” Chris says.
Come to Peterborough’s Del Crary Park on Wednesday night to experience the unique musical stylings of Home Free. As Chris promises:
“You’ll be amazed at what the human voice is able to accomplish! By taking the familiar (country) and combining it with perhaps the unfamiliar (a cappella), you might just discover a whole new genre you’ll love.”
“Country Fried Pop Medley” – Home Free
“Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash – performed by Home Free (featuring Avi Kaplan of Pentatonix)
“All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor – performed by Home Free
“Wake Me Up” by Avicii – performed by Home Free
“Champagne Taste (On a Beer Budget)” by Home Free
