The Blenders' Story

Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, The Blenders are proud to call Minneapolis, Minnesota their home. They have spent the last 21 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 was featured in the film trailer for “Nothing Like the Holidays.” They have also won 3 Emmy® Awards for their work in television commercials 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 13 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.” As of Feb. 1, 2011, their version of the song can be heard 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. It was also named as one of soul-artist Erykah Badu's favorite holiday CDs as reported by the Dallas Morning News.
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”, 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.”

In 2007 they finally released a ‘live’ DVD called “Christmas with The Blenders.” As a companion piece, they also released a 2 CD set containing every Christmas song they’ve ever recorded called “The Blenders: Christmas Collection.” 

The Blenders are currently recording their 4th Christmas album which will be released on November 1st, 2011.

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.