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The Blenders History
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Members: Darren Rust, Tim Kasper, Ryan Lance, Allan Rust Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, The Blenders are proud to call Minneapolis, MN their home. They have spent over 25 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. In 2008, The Blenders' version of "Lean on Me" (Songs from the Soul) was featured in the film trailer for "Nothing Like the Holidays." They have also won 3 Emmy Awards for their work in television commercials. The Blenders 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, they 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 15 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 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." In 2011 and 2012, their version of the song was used in a national TV and radio commercial for McDonald's. 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 within 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 their alter-egos The Folkers). In 2005 The Blenders released their third holiday CD, the critically acclaimed, "Most Wonderful Time." "Song from the Soul", their 11th CD release (October 2006) was The Blenders' first non-holiday CD released in 8 years, followed up in 2008 by "Songs from the Soul: Vol. II." The Blenders also have a 'live' DVD called "Christmas with The Blenders." As a companion piece, they released a 2 CD set containing Christmas songs form their first three holiday CDs "The Blenders: Christmas Collection." In 2011, they added to their extensive Christmas repertoire with "Christmas Light." In 2014, the Blender celebrated their 25th Anniversary adding a 6-song EP to their collection entitled simply, "25". In 2015, after over two and a half decades of touring and recording, The Blenders were inducted into The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. 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. |
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