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Tonic Sol-fa in Concert
Tonic Sol-fa has established itself not only as the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest, but also one of the most successful independent acts in America. In addition to substantial album sales of its own independent releases (2,000,000 copies sold), the group has toured extensively throughout the US and abroad, building their financial base with a steady list of festivals and private shows that eventually led to numerous sold-out tours of theaters and small arenas.
Tonic Sol-fa began at St. John's University in Central Minnesota and includes lead vocalist Shaun Johnson, tenor and vocal percussionist, Greg Bannwarth, baritone and percussionist/vocal percussionist, Theo Brown, and bass, Jared Dove. Together the group reached national prominence with appearances on NBC's Today Show and in Newsweek magazine. Along the way, they shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers including Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy and Weird Al Yankovic, and were recently inducted in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame alongside Prince.
From the group's onset, the members have overseen and operated the business of Tonic Sol-fa with a only a small team of driven supporters acting as managers, lawyers, and publicists, and increased revenue from a few thousand dollars in their first year to a multi-million dollar limited liability company. The group overcame a number of obstacles, including an unspoken apprehension to a cappella acts by individuals in the music industry and having a name that was anything but catchy (a system of naming the notes of the scale, usually do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, developed to teach singing). Still, the group persevered, recording and manufacturing its own records and selling them to a growing legion of fans via the Internet and social networking sites, in the lobby of the theaters where they performed, and through a growing national distribution. One could say they gained their current consumer popularity the old fashioned way; they earned it.
At present, Tonic Sol-fa is putting the finishing touches on an album of requested originals, a collaborative recording in a catalog of numerous award-winning DVD and CD projects highlighting four indelible voices. This outstanding blend has resulted in multiple Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards, NACA (National Association of Collegiate Activities) Entertainer of the Year nominations, considerable national press, and has landed their music on the best-selling seasonal DVD at Wal-Mart, The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
Further Tonic Sol-fa has released three television specials, which have aired over 1800 times in forty-seven states and Canada. The new PBS special will be shown through 2020, continuing to spread Tonic Sol-fa's unique sound to an ever-growing audience.
Tonic Sol-fa continues to tour, record, and conscientiously run their business in the only way familiar to them – differently.
Intermission
Encore
Mix a great a capella group like Tonic Sol-fa and a terrific singer like Shaun Johnson (backed by a hot swinging band) and you get an extraordinary evening of entertainment. These gentlemen do it all: ballads, up-beat, slow, sweet, sexy - and they do it with inimitable style and outrageous talent.
The whole experience was absolutely awesome! Great family entertainment and great music. Members of the band and vocals were great. Would go to see them again in a heartbeat! Have always enjoyed Tonic Sol-Fa and now adding the Big Band Experience just added to the enjoyment!
Wonderful show. Great presentation. Flawless tight vocals and brilliant arrangements! Have wanted to go to this Concert for years.
In the back of my mind I had heard of Tonic-Sol Fa! So I bought a couple of tickets. My girlfriend tried to bail on me. However, she knew I was going to go with or without her so... We both went expecting a sucky concert! Pleasantly surprised! Dudes had the crowd laughing, standing ovations, singing, and did I say laughing? I'll be seeing them again in April, 2016! Worth the money!
Overall I thought the singing was unbelievable! These men are definitely talented. However, the monologue about the newly engaged couple (Lance/Sarah) was to much throughout the course of the evening. I applaud the fact that it was mentioned and congratulations were given but then the parody of comments grew tiresome during the show. Plastic Santa was not funny, and frankly I felt that we the audience only received about an hour's worth of music/singing out of the 2 hour performance. So that along with the fact that we were seated by an obnoxious family who drank beer and had their cell phones out to watch the Iowa game during the performance made it an event I would not care to see again.
I have attended Tonic Sol-fa shows numerous times over the past 10 years, and this may have been the best performance of all. When a rendition of Jingle Bells to start the show brings tears to your eyes, you know something special is happening. From their warm and often humerus interactions with crowd members and each other, to the soulful treatment of every musical number, this was a highlight of the holiday season.
Always love seeing these guys and they did not disappoint .
The guys did a fantastic job at singing, of course, but also made it fun with their antics and comments!
I enjoyed their concert. We've been coming for years. I do wish they would have performed 12 days of Christmas. I liked their original songs but wanted more holiday songs.
I love these guys! I first saw them at Elk River H.S. a couple of years ago, and have been back to see them several times since. Their voices are smooth as silk, and lovely to listen to on their CDs, but even better in person!
I'd never seen or heard this group before the recent performance and didn't quite know what to expect. I like a cappella groups but this group was a lot more than just that. Very entertaining and great interaction with audience in between songs. On rare occasion it was a little hard to understand the words being sung. The photographer taking shots during the concert was very distracting (not sure if it was the group's photographer or the Ames Center's.)
Great music, terrific venue and loads of laughter!!!
My Mom, sister and I went to the Tonic Sol-fa concert and had a ball. Besides the great music, it was so fun because of the humor and wit the guys put into the show. There isn't a dull moment and we couldn't have enjoyed it more. Thanks for a great evening!
We REALLY MISS MARK!!!!!! But Jared, Greg and Shawn put on a good show! they had a special guest filling in for Mark.. but no where the same personality as Mark. He did his part Very Well - no doubt a very talented man! Hard to replace a person been with group since - forever. We have been seeing these guys since they were on free stage at MN state fair some 20 years ago. My husband and I both saw them there - though not together at that time! It is our Christmas tradition to see them every Dec. when they come to Rochester. Please keep coming to Rochester, MN They are funny, and entertaining - their music is wonderful! Great Date night or bring the kids. Young and Old will love this concert!!
This concert was wonderful. I have been trying to go for several years and this was my first opportunity to do so. It was a fantastic experience!
Your show last year was much better!!! I wish you would give Jared the spot light. More Christmas music since it is a Christmas show. More of plastic Santa would be great. I love you guys and you are great performers and love your voices!!!!! Thank you for coming to Des Moines, IA!!!!!!
Tonic was wonderful! Their voices were amazing. They were funny and upbeat. I will see them again! Hope they are back to my area soon. This is one of the best concerts I have seen lately.
Loves the Christmas songs the best. They are very entertaining.
I was expecting a holiday show, not a show consisting mostly of their new music. They played some holiday songs in the first half of their show, but none in the second half. If I had known ahead of time they would barely play any holiday music, I would have went to a different holiday concert from a different group.
We've gone to this show for five years and really enjoy it. Was a little disappointed they did not perform 12 days of Christmas or the Grinch.
