What Happened to Rockapella? Rockapella Where Are They Now?
by S Samayanka | Updated Aug 28, 2023
What Happened to Rockapella?
Rockapella, the American a cappella group, has seen a series of transformations since its inception in 1986. Initially formed by Brown University alumni who bonded over their love for music, the group gained national recognition after their appearance on Spike & Co.: Do It A Cappella, hosted by Spike Lee. They became well-known for their vocal talents and unique sound.
Over the years, Rockapella underwent several member changes, with none of the original members remaining in the group. Founding members like Sean Altman and Steve Keyes, along with other members, departed and formed a new a cappella group called The GrooveBarbers. Similarly, Elliott Kerman pursued independent work in jazz music compilations.
These shifts in the lineup and creative direction led to a change in the group's dynamic and musical focus. Despite the changes, Rockapella's legacy remains tied to their iconic performances, including the theme song for "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" and their Folgers Coffee commercials.
In summary, Rockapella underwent significant changes in its lineup and musical direction over the years, with founding members leaving to form new ventures. These changes shaped the group's trajectory and contributed to their continued presence in the a cappella music scene.
Rockapella Where Are They Now?
Since their time with Rockapella, the former members have remained connected to the world of music. Sean Altman, Steve Keyes, Charlie Evett, and Kevin Weist now form The GrooveBarbers, an a cappella group that shifted its focus to original works, barbershop arrangements, and a cappella doo-wop. Altman has expanded his reach with three solo albums and comedic projects, including Jewmongous. Elliott Kerman has delved into jazz music compilations, while Barry Carl ventured into solo territory with "The SoLow Project" and embraced various musical and voice-over opportunities during his semi-retirement.
The group XRP, comprising Altman, Keyes, Kerman, and Carl, emerged from the core Rockapella lineup of 1988–1991, reuniting on several occasions for performances. This collective even penned a song for "Schoolhouse Rock!: Earth Rock" soundtrack. Sean Altman continued releasing singles and videos under his name and Jewmongous, often in collaboration with Rockapella member Jeff Thacher as a video director.
These post-Rockapella endeavors underscore the ongoing impact and creative journey of these talented musicians as they continue to contribute to the music landscape in various capacities.
Rockapella Original Members
Rockapella's original lineup comprised Brown University alumni who came together due to their shared passion for music. The founding members were:
Sean Altman:
Altman played a pivotal role in connecting the other founding members. As a member of High Jinks, an a cappella group at Brown University, he had the longest tenure. His musical prowess and arrangement skills contributed to the group's initial success. Altman continued his involvement in music after leaving Rockapella, contributing to other projects.
Elliott Kerman:
Another former member of High Jinks, Kerman's musical background and dedication to a cappella provided a strong foundation for Rockapella. He played a significant role in shaping the group's early sound. Kerman's journey led him to explore jazz music compilations after departing from Rockapella.
Steve Keyes:
A member of High Jinks as well, Keyes' involvement in the group brought him into the Rockapella fold. His musical contributions, particularly as a high tenor, contributed to the unique vocal blend of the group during its formative years.
David Stix:
Stix, also a part of High Jinks, was part of the original lineup. His departure from the group in 1987 allowed Charlie Evett to step in as his replacement.
These four individuals, along with their shared experiences in High Jinks and their reunion in New York City, formed the core of Rockapella's early days. Their collaboration and dedication laid the groundwork for the group's future successes. Over time, Rockapella's lineup evolved, but the contributions of these original members played a crucial role in shaping the group's identity and musical direction.
Barry Carl Rockapella
Barry Strauss Carl was born on April 20 in the year 1950, is a notable American voice-over actor and musician recognized for his distinctive role as the bass vocalist in the a cappella ensemble Rockapella. His prominence grew during the time when Rockapella served as the house band for the PBS children's geography game show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?". From 1988 until his departure in 2002, Carl held the bass position in the group, contributing to their unique sound.
Carl's most recognizable feature is his resonant deep voice, which he skillfully employed during his tenure with Rockapella. His vocal abilities allowed him to create a bass sound that often resembled an instrumental element within the group's arrangements.
Apart from his musical pursuits, Carl has established himself as a versatile voice-over artist. His extensive portfolio includes lending his voice to numerous television and radio commercials for well-known brands like Taco Bell, Charmin, Doritos, and Volkswagen. Additionally, he has provided voice work for promotional content on various channels such as Syfy, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, The Discovery Channel, and PBS. His talents extend to theatrical trailers, narrations for industrial projects, audiobooks, public service announcements, online advertisements, and character voices for animations, anime, video games, and commercials.
Born
April 20, 1950
Age
73 Years
Birthplace
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Origin
Los Angeles, California
Occupation
Performer, singer, voice-over actor, marriage counselor, bodyworker
Birth Name
Barry Straus Carl
Rockapella Wiki
Formed in 1986 in New York City, Rockapella is an American a cappella musical ensemble known for their unique fusion of "rock" and "a cappella," captured in their name. Their musical journey encompasses original vocal compositions and a cappella renditions of popular rock and pop tracks. While they initially embraced a high-energy pop and world music style, their evolution has led them towards a more R&B-infused sound.
A significant highlight in Rockapella's trajectory has been their remarkable success in Japan, a nation where they have enjoyed a prominent presence throughout their career. Beyond this, the group gained recognition as the vocal house band and resident comedy troupe on the PBS children's geography game show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?". This show was inspired by the educational computer game developed by Broderbund of the same name.
Noteworthy for their versatility, Rockapella boasts an impressive discography, including 19 albums released in both the United States and Japan, alongside three compilation albums specific to the Japanese market. A distinctive feature of their albums is the inclusion of the line "All sounds provided by the voices and appendages of Rockapella," highlighting their mastery in vocal percussion.
Rockapella Current Members
Scott Leonard
High Tenor
1991–present
Jeff Thacher
Vocal Percussion
1993–present
Calvin Jones
Tenor
2013–present
George Baldi III
Bass
2002-2014, 2022-present
Manny Houston
Tenor
2022–present
Member
Voice Part
Years Active
What Happened to Rockapella - FAQs
Rockapella is known for their unique blend of rock and a cappella music, singing original compositions and covers of pop and rock songs.
The original members were Sean Altman, Elliott Kerman, Steve Keyes, and David Stix, all connected through their time in the Brown University a cappella group High Jinks.
Rockapella was the vocal house band on the PBS children's geography game show "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?".
The GrooveBarbers, comprising former Rockapella members, focus on original works, barbershop arrangements, and a cappella doo-wop.
Barry Carl was the bass vocalist of Rockapella, known for his distinctive deep voice. He brought a unique sound to the group during his tenure.