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Written by Shauna

Bonus Release - "Ugly Christmas Sweater"

 Surprise! Even WE didn't know we would be releasing a second holiday song this year. "Ugly Christmas Sweater" is a brand new Christmas song from Garth Brooks and it was brought to our attention by his biggest fan (Hunter Keller, you know who you are). With December already upon us, we were afraid it may be too late, but after a quick conversation with our amazing engineer, we all agreed we could fast-track it and have the release ready in just a few days (most of those spent in the studio). When you need a vocal done quickly, you reach out to the best in the business. Elmer Sheffield has recorded more singing calls than any other caller, and there was no question that this was the right song for him. Thankfully, the stars aligned and he not only accepted the invitation, but he was able to meet the demanding timeline for the vocal recording. His experience paid off, because he delivered a vocal that was spot-on for this song in what seemed to be an effortless way, with not much more than a 24-hour turnaround time.

The fastest way to get the female key recorded was to take care of it while we were already in the studio. If it sounds like Shauna is laughing, that's because she had these two guys, appropriately decked out in ugly Christmas sweaters, making faces while she tried to sing. Don't ask for the outtakes.

CHIC1021 in the male vocal range features Elmer Sheffield's great vocal. Elmer appears courtesy of ESP Recordings.

CHIC2021 in the female vocal range features a vocal by Shauna Kaaria.

Background vocals by Jimmy Mac and Vic & Shauna Kaaria.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

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Written by Shauna

December Release - "Blue California"

 December adds a bit of Classic Country to the Chic catalog. "Blue California" is a great song by the Bellamy Brothers and includes everything a classic country song should have including steel guitar, a longing for love, and a chorus with a hook. When Tom Miller suggested the song to us, we nearly passed because we did not have access to a steel guitar player. As luck would have it, our path crossed with a local dancer who was a retired steel player. He graciously volunteered to come out of retirement to lay down the needed steel tracks. A great big "thank you" to Terry Reardon, of El Cajon, CA!

"Blue California" was released by the Bellamy Brothers in 2000. As mentioned above, the song was suggested by Tom Miller who then agreed to return for a second Chic appearance and record the vocal. His golden voice was perfect for this song. Tom appears courtesy of ESP Recordings.

We invited Carrie Masters of Grand Terrace, CA to return for her second guest appearance. Carrie will be moving to Olympia, WA at the first of the year, so California will be feeling a bit "blue" over the loss. But California's loss will be Washington's gain.

CHIC1020 in the male vocal range features Tom Miller's vocal.

CHIC2020 in the female vocal range features Carrie Masters.

Both versions include background vocals by Jimmy Mac and Shauna Kaaria.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

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Written by Shauna

November Patter Release - "Baby Elephant Walk"

 November brings another Chic patter release with the Henry Mancini hit, "Baby Elephant Walk." This well-known song was written by Mancini in 1961 for the movie "Hatari." It has the classic 12-bar blues progression with a very catchy, and instantly recognizable melody. It's such a great song, we made TWO separate patter cuts.

CHIC4018 - "Baby Elephant Walk"stays true to the original Mancini cut that was the backdrop for baby elephants walking down to the bathing pool. Jimmy Mac had some fun using his saxophone skills. Your dancers will enjoy the smooth groove.

CHIC4019 - "Baby Elephant ROCK" was born as Jimmy was practicing the melody on his guitar using a rock/grunge voice. With a little concern I asked, "Are you going to use that grungy sound?" Obviously, he wasn't, but it sounded so cool we scheduled another session to create a second cut with a rock/blues groove. We ended up adding a little flare/snippets from a couple of other rock classics, and even a well-known television song.

Both are extended patter releases, running over six minutes each, and have dancers bopping the moment the music starts.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

Details

Written by Shauna

Holiday Release - "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

 "Baby, It's Cold Outside!" ” is a “call and response” duet where one singer attempts to convince another (their guest) that they should stay for a romantic evening, due to the cold and inclement weather.

Frank Loesser wrote the duet in 1944 and premiered the song with his wife, Lynn Garland, at their Navarro Hotel in New York housewarming party. They performed it toward the end of the evening, signifying to guests that it was nearly time to end the party. Garland wrote that after the first performance, "We became instant parlor room stars. We got invited to all the best parties for years on the basis of 'Baby.' Garland considered it their song and was furious when Loesser told her he was selling the song. Garland wrote, "I felt as betrayed as if I'd caught him in bed with another woman." MGM was the buyer and used the song in their film “Neptune’s Daughter,” starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban.

The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, but this is the first adaptation as a singing call for square dancing.

While working on the rough tracks for the singing call, I mentioned to Jimmy Mac that I hadn’t decided who I was going to ask to sing the male part and he said “Pick me! Pick me!” It was all of two seconds before I replied, “Done!” We had a blast recording this song together.

This is a great song for singing with another caller, but if another caller is not available we have you covered. We have included tracks with both sides of the duet to allow one caller to share a duet even though another caller is not in the room.

CHIC3017 is the third in Chic's "Duets" series with a vocal by Jim MacDonald and Shauna Kaaria.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

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Written by Shauna

October Release - "Windy"

 "Everyone knows it's Windy!" I couldn't be more excited about our October release, "Windy" by The Association, because I have a personal connection to this song. I first sang "Windy" when I joined the 6th grade chorus in Elementary School. The luck of the draw sat me on the side of the room that received the harmony part for our first attempt at a non-unison song. I so clearly remember the first time we sang it correctly, and the feelings and sensations that came with it. I was hooked! Because of that moment, this song was a labor of love for me. I hope you enjoy it too, but for me...it was a trip down memory lane to the moment I first knew I loved to sing harmony.

"Windy" was written by Ruthann Friedman and released by The Association in 1967, quickly rising to #1 on the Billboard charts. The Association was six members strong and well-known for their impressive sound and harmonies, so we knew we had to either "go big, or go home" with the background vocals. Dancers know this song and won't be able to stop themselves from singing along with you.

We invited Steve Moore, of Chula Vista, CA to record the male vocal of Windy. It has been a few years since Steve has been in the studio and we were thrilled when he agreed. He did an amazing job! In honor of 6th grade chorus, the female vocal was recorded by me.

CHIC1016 in the male vocal range features Steve Moore's vocal.

CHIC2016 in the female vocal range features Shauna Kaaria (as stated above).

Both versions include background vocals by Jimmy Mac and Shauna.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

Details

Written by Shauna

September Release - "For What It's Worth"

 "Stop! Hey, what's that sound? Everybody look what's going down." It's our September release of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." We worked hard in the studio to maintain the simplicity and purity of the original song, and not over-produce it. After 14 releases, we finally get a lead vocal from our favorite caller, Vic Kaaria, who delivers a spot-on vocal for this tune. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. makes a guest appearance, courtesy of Rhythm Records, and delivers an equally great vocal for the female key.

CHIC1015 in the male vocal range features Vic Kaaria on the lead vocal (as stated above).

CHIC2015 in the female vocal range features Sylvia's great vocal.

Both versions include background vocals by Shauna Kaaria.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody and background vocals, and the vocal cut.

Both are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

Details

Written by Shauna

Anniversary Release - "Whatever Lola Wants"

 It's hard to believe it's already been a YEAR since our first release. We want to send a huge thank you all of you for making it so great! We're launching year two with a fun show tune from "Damn Yankees." Our version of "Whatever Lola Wants" is another song brought to our attention via a Facebook post, this time by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who suggested The Gotan Project's version for calling patter. Their version had such a cool vibe, it was exciting (and challenging) to turn it into a singing call. Of course, we invited Johnny Preston (courtesy of Royal Records) to record the male vocal, since he was the one who first brought it to our attention. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. was the only choice to record the female vocal, so she returns for her second appearance on Chic Recordings.

CHIC1014 in the male vocal range features Johnny Preston (courtesy of Royal Records) on the lead vocal (as stated above). Johnny had some fun with this song delivering a stylized vocal, complete with accent.

CHIC2014 in the female vocal range features Deborah's amazing vocal and proves that she lives and breathes "Lola."

CHIC4014 is another version for calling patter with an extended arrangement and additional instrumentation included.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.

All three are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

Details

Written by Shauna

New Release - "I Will"

 We had such a positive reaction to “’Til There Was You” last March, we are back in July with another beautiful love song from The Beatles. “I Will” was written by Paul McCartney and first heard on their “White Album.” Although the original cut was only 1:46 minutes long, it required 67 takes in the studio to get it just right. We loved Paul’s “vocal bass” and knew we had to include that effect in our version. A big thank you to Michael Haworth for his arrangement of the song. It stays as true to the original as we could possibly get. We invited Joe Saltel (courtesy of Royal Records) to record the male vocal, knowing his voice was a perfect fit, and discovered that Joe is a HUGE Beatles fan. The perfect fit was even more perfect than we knew. Joe delivered such a stellar vocal, one dancer had this to say: “So beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes. It's probably the best singing call ever made.” Okay, so it was Joe’s mother who said it, but she’s right…it IS beautiful. (And Joe didn’t require 67 takes.) The vocal for the female key (along with harmony) was recorded by Shauna with “vocal bass” and additional harmony support from Jimmy Mac.

CHIC1013 in the male vocal range features Joe Saltel (courtesy of Royal Records) on the lead vocal (as stated above). Jimmy Mac’s beautiful guitar work and “vocal bass,” along with Shauna Kaaria’s harmony complete the package for the male key.

CHIC2013 in the female vocal range was recorded by Chic's producer, Shauna Kaaria.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.

The two keys are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!

Details

Written by Shauna

Ghost Riders are Chic!

 The awesome Ghost Riders Square Dance Band added three Chic songs to their playlist! All three songs were debuted on Thursday, June 23rd at the National Square Dance Convention in Des Moines, IA. Hunter Keller was the first to join the popular square dance band as they rocked his latest Chic release, “Cleopatra, Queen of Denial.” Next up was Patty Greene with a passionate performance of Chic’s inaugural tune, “You’re No Good.” Last, but certainly not least, Tony Oxendine joined the band for his Chic song, “’Til There Was You.” Extra props to the Ghost Riders’ lead guitar player, Gary Bauman, for his stellar performance of George’s guitar solo on that one! The "Chic" Ghost Rider performances continued as the band switched keys on Friday night to allow Scott Bennett and Patty Greene to rock their versions of “You’re No Good” and “Cleopatra, Queen of Denial.” It was amazing to watch the crowds dancing and singing along. Saturday night brought a final Chic performance of “You’re No Good” by Lottie Ainsworth.

 A massive Chic shout-out to Brad Barnett, Gary Bauman, Ron Pfisterer, Dave Zachry and John Moore for bringing the Chic music to "live" and going the extra mile to learn them in TWO keys! Another Chic shout-out to all of the callers who delivered such amazing performances at the National Convention! Be sure to click on each of their names above to see video of the live performances.

 It was a “pinch me, I must be dreaming,” surreal kind of moment for Chic Recordings!

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Written by Shauna

New Release - "Because"

 Chic's June singing call release, "Because" brings us back to the music glory days of the 60's. Written and recorded by The Dave Clark Five, "Because" was released in August of 1964 and quickly skyrocketed to #3 on the U.S. charts. We recruited Tom Miller (courtesy of ESP Recordings) to record the vocal on the male version of this song and his golden voice is bringing in rave reviews. One Facebook user said the following about Tom's recording, "the right music, the right song, and one of the best singers in this activity makes it so you just want to get up and dance." We agree!

CHIC1012 in the male vocal range features Tom Miller (courtesy of ESP Recordings) on the lead vocal (as stated above). Tom knocked the vocal out in one take. Background vocals were recorded by Chic's producer, Shauna Kaaria.

CHIC2012 in the female vocal range was recorded by Shauna Kaaria, who also recorded the background vocals for the female key.

To purchase, just head on over to the Chic Boutique for fast and easy mp3 downloads.

Introductory price is $7.50 and includes the music with and without melody, and the vocal cut.

The two keys are being sold separately since they were produced separately.

Click on the youtube links (to the left) for previews!