Staff Reports | The Republic
Long before Michael Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt began performing all over the world with the major-label, a cappella group Straight No Chaser, they were part of Columbus resident Kevin Butler’s freshman chorus in the 1990s at Hamilton Southeastern High School in Fishers.
Butler, now director of music at First United Methodist, will witness how far the duo has come when they are in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the renewed local concert series Fridays at First.
Though Luginbill is still with the vocal ensemble, the pair is now performing as the smooth jazz-pop duo called Small Town City, offering a mix of original material and covers.
In fact, their latest single is a cover of the James Taylor hit “Her Town Too,” from which they took their group name.
“Our last names can be tricky to pronounce,” Ahlwardt said in an online interview with Ricky Lee Potts at rickyleepotts.com. “And we wanted a duo name that was easy to remember and reflective of our Midwest roots.”
Whatever you call them, Butler sees them as huge talents.
“Using the techniques they learned in their choral singing, their blend together as a duo is outstanding and as they are both extremely versatile in harmonizing,” Butler said. “It is sometimes difficult to tell who is singing the melody and who is providing the harmony.
“With the varying styles they perform — pop, folk, light rock, and original material, the lyrical quality of their voices allow them to sing effortlessly and precisely in whatever style they choose.”
They have been writing songs together since their days at Indiana University, and they’re looking to the future with optimism.
“We’ve got BIG dreams and plans for the future and can’t wait for you to hear all the new music we’ll be writing and releasing in 2021,” they posted on their Facebook page recently.
Butler salutes them as writers as well as vocalists.
“They pay close attention to the intricacies of their lyrics,” he said, “and as performers, (they) work really hard to get the text across to their listeners.”
Butler believes those who haven’t yet heard the pair would make an easy connection.
“From their Straight No Chaser experiences, they are entertaining and at times humorous, but always in tune and working together as a singing team,” Butler said. “They have a refreshing and light vocal style that makes them easy to listen to and easy to understand.”
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Who: The jazzy pop musical duo Small Town City consisting of Michael Luginbill and Ryan Ahlwardt performing at the return of Fridays at First concert series.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: First United Methodist Church, 618 Eighth St. in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free but donations are accepted.
Information: fumccolumbus.org
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