By Mike Perleberg
A capella group Straight No Chaser will succeed Jim Nabors in singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of the 99th Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2015. (Indianapolis, Ind.) – The singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana” at the 99th Indianapolis 500 will have a decidedly fuller sound. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has selected a capella group Straight No Chaser to replace Jim Nabors in singing the ode to Indiana during the pre-race festivities on May 24, 2015. This past Indy 500 was the last for Nabors, who had been singing the song before the race since 1972. The 84-year-old will be replaced by all ten members of the group, who are Indiana University alumni. IMS President Doug Boles says he's excited to have the Hoosier natives take the reins. “Our fans have offered us many suggestions for who and how the song should be performed in 2015 and having a group with a national following, strong Indiana roots and a true understanding of the importance of this moment make them a great fit for next year’s race,” said IMS president Douglas Boles. Boles said he is confident Straight No Chaser, founded in 1996 in Blomington, will do a great job. “They get it. That energy and electric feeling that they have is going to resonate with our fans. We can’t wait,” he said. According to IMS, Straight No Chaser rose to national fame when member Randy Stine posted a 1998 video of the group performing “The 12 Days of Christmas” on YouTube. In December 2007 alone, the video received more than 7 million views; today the group’s videos on YouTube have surpassed 60 million. The a capella group’s most recent album is “Under the Influence: Holiday Edition” featuring appearances by Cee Lo Green, Colbie Caillat, Paul McCartney, and more. Before that, they released their fourth full-length album in 2013, “Under the Influence.” “Back Home Again in Indiana” was originally titled “Indiana” when it was written in 1917 by Ballard MacDonald and James Hanley. It borrowed lyrics and music from the official state song, “On the Banks of the Wabash,” written in 1897. “Indiana,” as it was originally titled, was written in 1917 by lyricist Ballard MacDonald and composer James Hanley, incorporating many lyrics and musical themes from the 1897-written “On the Banks of the Wabash,” the state’s official song. The song was first performed at the Indianapolis 500 in 1946 by New York Metropolitan Opera performer James Melton.
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