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First Citizens National Bank is proud to present The Blenders at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the 2009-2010 NIACC Performing Arts Series. Tickets are $29 in advance and $35 at the door.

A new collection of everybody’s favorite soul songs will get you in the holiday spirit as The Blenders take the stage. The Blenders’ influences stretch far and wide. The self-described “vocal band” has forged a sound that’s earned them a huge fan base, critical acclaim and accolades from recording artists such as pop diva Erykah Badu and the legendary Les Paul. The group’s work has even earned them a 2007 Emmy Award. Their harmony-packed and hilarious holiday shows in the Midwest have become a family tradition with rousing performances of beautifully arranged carols and hymns, tricked out holiday standards and their own enduring and endearing Christmas songs that have become instant classics.

Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, The Blenders are proud to call Minneapolis, Minnesota their home. They have spent the last 18 years touring the U.S. with their unique style of vocal harmony-based music. They have appeared with such acts as Jay Leno, Howie Mandel, Savage Garden, Blues Traveler, Chicago, The Righteous Brothers, Lou Rawls, Chuck Berry and many more. They have appeared on a variety of national and regional television shows including The Arsenio Hall Show (FOX), The Today Show on NBC, Crook and Chase (TNN) and WGN. Radio performances have included WGN and National Public Radio, to name a few. In 2007, their music was featured in the Queen Latifah film, “The Perfect Holiday.” They also won an Emmy Award for their work in a commercial for FOX9 in Minneapolis.

The group spent their first few years building up their fan base by touring hundreds of colleges and universities across the country.  In the process, they received the Contemporary Artist of the Year Award in 1994 and 1995 by the National Association of Campus Activities. With the support of these loyal fans, The Blenders have created a presence that continues to expand worldwide.

Each member of The Blenders had the good fortune of growing up in a musical family that nurtured their love of song. Although their influences stretch far and wide, Tim Kasper, Ryan Lance, Darren Rust and Allan Rust find a common bond in vocal music. From R&B and Jazz, to Pop and Rock, their tight harmonies and upbeat arrangements always provide the perfect blend.

The Blenders continue writing their own music as well as adapting songs of their favorite artists. They have released 10 recordings to date including a compilation album called “Now and Then” (1997). It features three cuts from each of their first three albums; “Totally Whipped” (1992), “From the Mouth” (1994) and “The Blenders” (1995), along with three previously unreleased tracks. Also in 1997, The Blenders released their first Christmas album entitled “Nog," which is a favorite among their fans and features the group’s unmistakable, smooth vocal harmonies.

The Blenders found international success with their first-ever major-label release, “Loveland” (1999) on Universal Records. They even hit number one in a handful of European countries with a remake of the quirky song, “(I am in Love with the) McDonald’s Girl.” 

After a year hiatus that began at the end of 2000, The Blenders returned to the scene in 2002 with a new Christmas album entitled “When it Snows.”  With an enormously successful holiday concert tour to support it, the album quickly found its way onto the Billboard charts in just a few weeks of hitting the stores. In 2004, they released “The Blenders Holiday Best,” a compilation of their holiday CDs with the added track, “I’ll be home for Christmas.” In 2004 they also released “Another Folkin’ Christmas” (an EP as The Folkers). In 2005, The Blenders released another very successful holiday CD, “Most Wonderful Time.”

“Song from the Soul” is The Blenders’ 11th CD release (October 2006) and first non-holiday CD released in eight years. In 2007, they finally released a ‘live’ DVD called “Christmas with The Blenders.” As a companion piece, they also released a two CD set containing every Christmas song they’ve ever recorded called “The Blenders: Christmas Collection.”

Often described as, "one of America's best-kept vocal secrets," The Blenders continue to record and tour the country, delighting their audiences with their signature vocal sound. Be sure to catch this holiday family-favorite at NIACC! For more information on the group, visit www.theblenders.com

For tickets to The Blenders, call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222 ext. 4188. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu. Platinum Sponsors for the 2009-2010 series include NIACC; Globe Gazette Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund; the Globe Gazette; Alliant Energy; Henkel Construction; Kraft; Mason City Clinic; Principal Financial Group; and Soener Foundation. Gold sponsors include Community National Bank; Diamond Joe Casino; First Citizens National Bank; First State Bank of Belmond; Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa; Martin, Cooney, MacNider & Cooney Financial Consultants of Raymond James & Associates, Inc.; Sukup Manufacturing; and Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth. In kind sponsors include Country Inn and Suites; and KIMT.

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