Caitlynne Curtis

Raised on country music, Messina began her career by performing live with her brother and sister in their hometown of Holliston, Massachusetts. At the age of nineteen, Messina moved to Nashville, Tennessee and entered local talent competitions in hopes of increasing her exposure and pursuing a record deal. Following regular appearances on the radio show “Live at Libby’s” and a successful demo tape, the singer caught the attention of Curb records, which signed Messina to its roster.

With the assistance of producers Byron Gallimore and a young Tim McGraw, Messina released her self-titled, debut album in March 1996. Spawning the Top 10 Country hits “Heads Carolina, Tails California” and “You’re Not in Kansas Anymore,” the record peaked at No. 22 on the Top Country Albums, catapulting the singer to national notoriety.

In 1998, Messina issued her sophomore album “I’m Alright,” which, in effect, turned her into a Country music star. Peaking at No. 5 on the Top Country Albums Chart, the record produced three Country No. 1 singles, “I’m Alright,” “Bye, Bye,” and “Stand Beside Me." This trifecta of chart-topping hits led to Messina being honored by the Country Music Association with the coveted “Horizon Award” (now known as "New Artist of the Year").

In an attempt to cross over to pop music fans, the singer-songwriter’s third full-length album, “Burn,” was a Country music record with a pop inflection. Spawning the Country No. 1’s “That’s the Way” and “Bring on the Rain,” the album was supported by tours alongside Vince Gill, George Strait, and The Judds.

The Christmas album “A Joyful Noise” appeared in late 2002, followed by the compilation “Greatest Hits” in 2003. In 2005, Messina released her sixth album, “Delicious Surprise,” once again topping the Country Music Albums chart. Earning positive reviews, the record hosted the singles “My Give a Damn’s Busted,” “Delicious Surprise (I Believe It),” and “Not Going Down.” Five years later, Messina released the last of her Curb Records projects, a trilogy of “Unmistakable” EPs: “Unmistakable: Love,” “Unmistakable: Drive,” and “Unmistakable: Inspiration."

In 2013, Messina launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to create and release her next studio album “Me.” The 2014 release was her most personal to date, allowing her to share the music she chose without limitations. The independent release also gave her the opportunity to consider the fans' favorites and honor them with tracks of their choosing. Subsequently, Messina continued to pave her own path and began to write and record songs in the Christian Contemporary space and released three independent singles, "Noel," the original "Bigger Than This," and "Reckless Love."

As of this date, Messina continues to tour nationally and internationally, performing her hits, unreleased self-penned songs, and Christian/worship music that has touched her heart. Messina's tour schedule is fluid and is constantly being updated, as she travels year-round to bring her show to fans around the globe.

Straight No Chaser aren’t so titled for nothing; they’re an a cappella group, meaning that there’s no instrumentation to their music - just the sound of their voices. Originally, there were ten members in the group, students who met at Indiana University - Steve Morgan, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Walter Chase, Mike Itkoff, Patrick Hachey, Kevin Carroll and Charlie Mechling. They took their name from ‘Straight, No Chaser’, the Thelonious Monk record from 1967.

They made their debut at a 36 hour dance marathon - a baptism of fire, by anybody’s standards - and went on to attract national attention, performing at such venues as Wrigley Field in Chicago and Carnegie Hall in New York, the latter as part of a national tour of their own. In 1999, the original lineup graduated and were replaced, although they would go on to reform in 2006 - a little while afterwards, the collegiate group, still in existence, would change their name, although the alcohol theme was retained - they are now Another Round.

The original group continue to perform together today, and have recorded four records - the first two, 2008’s ‘Holiday Spirits’ and 2009’s ‘Christmas Cheers’ being festive efforts. Their frequent national tours in the U.S. serve as testament to their enduring popularity.