Home Free is an all-vocal country music band from Minnesota that rose to fame after winning the fourth season of NBC’s singing competition The Sing-Off in 2013. Since their victory, Home Free has continued to make music and tour, building a dedicated fanbase with their a cappella covers of country hits and infectious original songs.
How did Home Free get started?
Home Free was formed in 2000 in Mankato, Minnesota by Chris Rupp who enlisted several of his friends who shared a passion for a cappella music. The original members were Chris Rupp, Matt Atwood, Dan Ponce, Jamie Fox and Shawn Goodwin. They began performing locally in Mankato before expanding to venues throughout Minnesota and the midwest. In 2012, Tim Foust, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp and Austin Brown joined the group replacing all members except Chris Rupp. This lineup auditioned for The Sing-Off and ultimately won season 4 of the show under Sony Music, propelling them into the national spotlight.
What happened after they won The Sing-Off?
After winning The Sing-Off in 2013, Home Free released their debut album under Sony Music titled “Crazy Life” in 2014. The album featured a mix of covers and originals, including their breakout single “Cruise”. Their victory also allowed them to tour nationally for the first time, exposing their music to new audiences across the U.S. Their fanbase grew rapidly as people connected with their energy and unique country-a cappella fusion. Home Free left Sony Music in 2015 to release music independently, allowing for more creative freedom and ownership.
Notable albums after The Sing-Off:
- Full Of (Cheer) – 2014
- Country Evolution – 2015
- Coming Home – 2016
- Timeless – 2018
- Dive Bar Saints – 2019
- Warmest Winter – 2020
- Land of the Free – 2021
How has Home Free’s music and sound evolved?
In early albums like “Crazy Life”, Home Free mainly stuck to country covers done a cappella style. But over the years they have expanded their musical diversity, putting out originals, Christmas tunes, pop covers and more. Their sound has also grown more polished, with beatboxer Adam Rupp incorporating more complex rhythms and vocal percussion. While still rooted in country and a cappella, their recent albums showcase their creative growth and willingness to experiment with new styles. Their lyrics have evolved to be more personal and vulnerable as well, touching on topics like mental health, addiction and relationships.
Key milestones in their musical evolution:
- Added more original songs to albums starting with “Coming Home” in 2016
- Released first full Christmas album “Full of (Cheer)” in 2014
- Expanded genres to include pop and rock covers on albums like “Timeless” (2018)
- Released first live concert album “TheSINGOFF Tour Live” in 2015
- Incorporated more complex beatboxing and vocal percussion on recent albums
- Began experimenting with more a cappella layering and background vocals for a fuller sound
How has the group’s membership changed over time?
Despite forming in 2000, the core membership of Home Free has remained relatively stable since their Sing-Off victory. Tenor Rob Lundquist left the group amicably in May 2020 to spend more time with family after 7 years. He was replaced by newcomer Adam Chance, who was featured on their “Warmest Winter” Christmas album later that year. Besides Rob’s departure, the lineup has continued to be Chris Rupp, Tim Foust, Austin Brown, and beatboxer Adam Rupp.
| Member | Voice part | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Rupp | Vocal percussion, bass | 2000-present |
| Tim Foust | Bass | 2012-present |
| Austin Brown | Tenor | 2012-present |
| Adam Rupp | Vocal percussion, bass | 2012-present |
| Rob Lundquist | Tenor | 2013-2020 |
| Adam Chance | Tenor | 2020-present |
While members have come and gone over 2 decades, Chris Rupp remains the constant thread and leader of the group. Their consistency in recent years has allowed them to continue growing musically and raising Home Free’s profile on the country music scene.
What is Home Free’s touring schedule like?
Ever since their formation, Home Free has maintained an active touring schedule, bringing their energy-filled live shows to venues across the U.S. and occasionally abroad. In the past, they averaging around 150 shows per year. Their shows are primarily at mid-size theaters and music halls seating 1,000 to 6,000 people. Setlists feature a mix of country covers, pop covers, Christmas songs, and originals. Shows incorporate beatboxing battles and solos along with tightly-choreographed a cappella arrangements.
Key facts about Home Free’s touring activities:
- In addition to U.S. dates, have performed multiple tours in Asia and annual European tours
- Member Tim Foust also tours with country star Adam Sanders as a solo act
- Have toured with other a cappella groups like Pentatonix and VoicePlay for joint shows
- Performed national anthem at major sporting events like 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando
- Schedule consists of spring, summer, fall, and Christmas tours annually
- The Covid-19 pandemic halted touring in 2020 but resumed in 2021
Despite their busy touring schedules, Home Free still finds time to hit the studio and record new music between legs of each tour. Fans can keep up with their upcoming tour dates and ticket information through the band’s official website.
What awards and accomplishments has Home Free achieved?
In their 20+ year career, Home Free has racked up some impressive accolades:
- Winners of The Sing-Off Season 4 (2013)
- 2x CARA Award winners for Best Contemporary A Cappella Album (2017, 2020)
- CAM album of the year winner (2020)
- 4x CARA Award nominees for Best Country Album (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021)
- CCM Music Video nomination for “Man of Constant Sorrow” (2015)
Beyond awards, Home Free has accomplished the following:
- 9 studio albums released
- Hundreds of thousands in album sales globally
- Over 1 million monthly Spotify listeners
- Tens of millions of YouTube views
- Performed on national television shows like Today Show
- Sold-out shows across the U.S., Asia, and Europe
Home Free’s trophy case keeps getting more crowded, but group founder Chris Rupp says their focus remains on making great music and reaching new fans. Despite their success, they stay humble and hungry!
How has Home Free leveraged the internet and social media?
Home Free has utilized platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to directly connect with fans and grow their popularity globally. Some key facts about their social media presence:
- Over 2 million YouTube subscribers and 750+ million video views
- Music videos premiere on YouTube and rack up millions of views
- 1.5 million Facebook fans, active with live streams and updates
- Instagram and TikTok used to showcase their personalities and travels
- Leverage paid ads on social media to promote album releases and tours
- Share funny behind-the-scenes videos that resonate with supporters
Home Free engages with supporters online through replies, likes, and comments. Fans feel invested in the group’s journey. Maintaining an active social media presence has allowed them to thrive as independent artists and continuously add new followers.
What collaborations has Home Free done?
Throughout their career, Home Free has teamed up with other artists for creative collaborations:
Collaborations with other a cappella groups:
- The Sing-Off Tour with Committed, Street Corner Symphony, and other groups (2015)
- Holiday tours with Voiceplay as supporting act (2016, 2018)
- Co-headlining tour with Filipino group The Company (2018)
Collaborations with country artists:
- Joint concerts with country singer Adam Sanders, group member Tim Foust tours with Sanders too
- “Cruise” with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard
- “Parachute” with Chris Rupp and Tyler Hubbard
- Grand Ole Opry performances with Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, and more
These creative partnerships allow Home Free to merge their talents with other artists to reach new audiences. Fans love when they team up with country stars or fellow a cappella groups for fresh new performances. More collaborative tours and singles are likely on the horizon.
Conclusion:
In summary, Home Free has covered a lot of ground since their Sing-Off victory in 2013. They have continued releasing chart-topping albums, touring the world, and growing their fanbase exponentially through social media. While their style has progressed, Home Free remains committed to their country and a cappella roots. Constant touring and recording keeps them busy, but they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Expect more heartfelt songs, viral videos, and incredible live shows from Home Free as they enter their third decade performing together.