I love this version of this song. Don still sounds great and got in touch with the guys about doing this project for the 50th anniversary. They even attended the ceremony when he got his Star on the Walk of Fame and performed some of the song. Someone said Adam recorded his track in one take and when he finished he was so light headed they thought he was going to pass out. It amazes me how many people rave about PTX but celebrities are collabing with HF...Don Mclean, Lee Greenwood, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama and Kenny Rogers just to name a few. In answer to your question...when they decide on a song, they each sing it and then decide who is doing what.
Don still has the pipes!! These guys are just too talented. You spoke of Tim's range, but Chance opened as a soloist, went to background vocalist, and took over the bass during Tim's solo. I don't think there's a song that's been written that Home Free can't cover.
Don approached the guys to do a 50th anniversary edition of his classic song because he knew how well they understood harmonies. The song was recorded during the lockdown, they were all in different locations and Home Frees producer edited it all together. When Don received his hollyweird star he had the guys there with him and they sang part this the song at the unveiling. They said they had to put Rupp on oxygen afterwards. Fun reaction, thanks
The boys decide who sings what part in each song. They start out in a circle and each will try different parts until they agree on what sounds best for the song. What I love about these guys (among many things) is that the music always comes first and egos are left at home. You can tell how much they enjoy each other's company, and that comes across in the music.
I heard that the video clips are Don's from his childhood. And also that it was his idea to do the window pane format and the video footage. Also, did you know that this song is about the plane crash & death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper? "the three men I admire most... the father, the son and the holy ghost". Now you need to listen to the song again. It has a whole different meaning & weight to the song knowing that. Thanks for another great reaction to HF.
Such a creative way to continue to put out videos--in spite of quarantine! 🥰 And goodness--one wonders how the amazing Adam Rupp was able to beatbox through such a long song without passing out!! 🤯
It was so hard to believe that Don wanted them to do this with him for the 50th Anniversary. Don actually had them come out when he got his star on The Walk of Fame. Most of the time the pick the parts by who sound the best for the song. Adam Rupp almost passed out while doing this song, he beatboxed for over 8 minutes. Enjoyed watching your reaction to this song. This is by far my favorite collaboration they have done. It's really gets me in the feels, really bring back some memories.
I think I heard Tim say that each of them would record the lead and then took a vote on who it would be. He also made a joke about never listening to Rob’s version first because then Rob would always sing lead. Thanks, Jeremy!
They were really excited that there were enough verses for each one to have one. Some songs just sort of demand a specific voice, or someone had a certain voice in mind when the song was written, but often they just all record a lead and see who sounds 'right'. They said that on the Dive Bar Saints album, Rob did his 'test' tracks first and for most of the songs everyone agreed that Rob sounded so good they wouldn't even bother to record others - notice how many leads Rob has on that album. It must be hard to have so many talented voices in one group.
Love this remake of this classic song. Can't believe it came out 50 years ago. Don McLean still has a good voice for his age. And love hearing all the guys take a turn in a verse. Poor Adam had to do such a long stretch of beatboxing but he nailed it. Think the song is about 8 min. long. Don McLean received his Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame recently & Home Free was invited to sing a portion of this song there. What an honor for them. "American Pie" pays tribute to the loss of 3 legends who died so young (Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & The Big Bopper). A lot of references in the song are made to many artists from the early days of music including Elvis, Janis Joplin, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Byrds & others.
Don was just awarded a star on the walk of Fame. He asked HF to be there to honor him. The award-winning acapella group Home Free, participated in the celebration with a special performance of “American Pie,” all while fans along Hollywood Boulevard couldn’t resist singing along and having a good time. The five-member group recorded the song with McLean in 2020 and subsequently released a music video that won three Telly Awards in 2021.
This video won an award for it's visuals and justifiably so. Amazing what they were able to do during lock downs. This song had enough verses so they could divvy it up. Sometimes, they choose the singer based on what the song and arrangement needs. Sometimes, if one member feels really passionate about the song, they song lead. Most often though, they will all take a run at singing the lead and based on how it sounds, they choose who takes lead. There is one time when they set out to do that but it didn't quite work out. For the song "Catch Me If You Can" (which I highly recommend) Rob was the first to sing it. The rest of the guys heard it and said,"Nope. We aren't even going to try to do it. It's the best right there." 😊
BTW I can't wait until you start doing Christmas reactions. Start off with Adam's arrangement of Do You Hear What I Hear and don't forget Children Go Where I send You with Kenny Rogers.
Great suggestions, thanks everyone!! I'm happy to report we have one amazing coffee donator who requested a couple "Christmas in July" songs that will be on an upcoming Home Fryday! I'll add these too. 😁✌🏽
To answer your question about how do they figure out who sings what, they all decide who fits best. If they can't decide, they'll each record a version separately and play them back and decide from there. A good example is their cover of Catch Me If You Can, they couldnt decide until they heard Rob's version and it was unanimous that Rob sang the lead and he nailed it, check that one out and listen from Tim's awesome vocal slide that he does, its pretty cool in my opinion.
What an honor it must be to be able to sing with Don McLean(he asked Home Free) and the result is so great. With a Home Free twist but still respecting the original. The harmony is amazing again. One by one they sound great, but what a awesome voice Don McLean still has. And then Adam, what more can I say about him. He is incredible. My childhood memory of this song is that I always had to sing along. And now I do that again.
Oh Jeremy, you've messed up my morning with all the HF reactions! Just kidding! Thanks! One tidbit: McLean not only had HF at his Star ceremony, he also invited Weird Al Yankovic. (Bye Bye This Anakin Guy parady)
Was in college when this first came out. Took great pride in knowing all the lyrics...it was bit of an 'anthem' for the times. This many decades later, am able to recall the full song thanks to Home Free...and their collab with Don McLean. Always enjoy when reactors sing along. How the guys choose 'who sings what' is explained in other comments. Had they switched up the order of voices, who's to say how much of a difference it would make. Another amazing example of how talented these guys are given this was done during lockdown...and to the mad skills of the video's editor.
They just fill my heart and make me smile with all their beautiful music. If for some reason, I couldn't have Home Free and their music in my life, it would be devastating. They all sing a sort of demo for the different songs and then decide amongst all of them who's voice fits the song best. With Blue Ain't Your Color, they initially figured on Austin. Rob happened to record his "demo" first and the others didn't even bother doing a demo, because they were all like, "Nope, this song is for Rob", and the choice was perfect. Your reactions are always so joyous and insightful!.
Another amazing collaboration where they let the original artist, Don McLean (!!) shine. Amazing to think this was all done separately during Covid lockdowns! Home Free never disappoints!
Just returned from watching our parade-both greatgrandaughters had a blast at their first parade and even got to talk to a fireman😊 This is such a special song, so glad you chose this one! Thank you Kim❤
50 yrs!!! *50 YEARS* --- That's just CRAZY!!! Ya know -- Don never re-cut this from the original .... Till this time with HF!!!! FACT! Is that sayin' somethin' or what, huh!?! And damn it's so good Be Safe
Love, love, love, Home Free and Don McClean! How great he sounds at 75! A perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his song!! I was in high school! 😊
Wasn't clever to use a memory box style to show the memories in this song? Wow! Those are Don's videos. I love how well they all blended and yet show so much respect for Don. He doesn't get lost in the video. Wonderful collaboration.
Such a great song! It’s always a good time to listen to this collaboration. I was outside, but the thermometer was showing 98* and my phone was hot! I’m inside now and comfortable. I’ll wait until 5:00 or 6:00 before I swim. Thanks again for this Home Free-dom day!
I really love this song and I think it is so great that Don had asked them to sing with him for the 50th anniversary, so amazing! ❤ It sounds sooo wonderful!🔥🔥🔥 Glad you were asked to react to it!👏👏👏
Fun yet somber fact This video was released the day after the 62 anniversary of the crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens
You just run out of words to say because I think I've used every word in the vocabulary to describe these beautiful gentleman... And they just keep pulling out the surprises that is what Home Free does.. I absolutely love these five beautiful souls...🏡🆓🏡🍟
Don McLean still sounds terrific - I think the age in his voice only adds to the poignancy of the song. I actually like this acapella rendition a little more than his original. Listening to it I forget that there are no instruments - Adam truly is a freak of nature! The singing & harmonies are perfect. This song is simply a masterpiece - covering everything from the tragic plane crash to Altamont, Janis Joplin, Kent State and so much more.
Home Free is humble and caring and very capable. They let Mr. Don shine and didn’t try to drown him out. Much respect for them. If you ain’t got no respect then you got nothing.
Don sounded great for 75! I thought the video was clever too. This was during Covid so I thought the boxes were cool. Kinda like the shadow boxes you keep your memories in. They all got to sing and kudos to Adam for beatboxing forever!
What was that... sounded like a croaking toad to me. ha! So many memories from listening to this classic song. I know you love Tim and can't remember if you've reacted to him and Peter Hollens doing Misty Mountains... how low can you go.....
They managed to record the song itself in the studio together but by the time they were ready to do the video, the country was in lockdown for (well, you know what) so they did everything for the video remotely. They got a Gold and 2 Silver Telly awards for this video. On a side note, this was Don McLean's first and only collaboration with anyone and in his words, "it was MAGIC working with these boys". As for how they decide what songs they do and who sings what. Thats a bit involved but the short version is, there is a never ending list of songs that each of them adds to. At the time they add, they can suggest who gets the lead (even if it's them) then as each song is reached, they decide collectively who should sing what. Some songs dont get tried, some songs are attempted but become a no or not right now and of course, some go on to be the next hit
Great reaction! I love watching you react, your facial expressions are so honest and joyful. This came out when I was 12 years old. It's timeless. Thank you for your reactions. God Bless ✌️♥️🙏
This song is just so timeless!! Adam is - in my opinion anyway - the true star of this video. Not sure any other beatboxer could pull off doing this song even close to Adam's amazing talent.
Yep Jeremy, Adam goes off in here! I am an old-timer and worked for weeks to learn all the words from the radio 📻 . Lol No google to look it up! Glad to see it brought to a new generation that may not have heard it. It rocks!
This was my song back in the day. I still know all the words! Sang along while making an apple pie! I’m not even kidding! Great seeing DM again! Great reaction!
Thank you Mom! Hell yeah, I’m glad you were singing along. It was a great rendition! And…so jealous that we don’t get all that tasty cooking since we’re so far away!! 🥧
The little movie vignettes are historical film/tv clips from the eras of the song's content (late 50's through 60's) and release (1972-ish). There were a lot significant events during that time - plane crash of Buddy Holly, Rick Valens and the Big Bopper, other rock stars' (drug) deaths, Woodstock, moon landing, weatherman bombings and so many other cultural changes.
I always loved the look of the DX-77. (A ribbon mic, less directional than a cardioid. You would see them a lot in '50s TV. Yeah, I'm that old.) I don't know what I'd use one for, but I love the look.
This was released during the Pandemic. They weren't together. They sometimes have an idea who will sing lead. If it's a! lower song Tim or Chance will. If it's high any of them could lead. In this case, American Pie is such a long song, they each took a verse.
The thing I respect is Tim Foust can can go deeper then, well damn deep. He doesn't go too deep. I feel he keeps within pleasant range. As far as harmonies. Can't beat Home Free. They always tell a story
Will you please please please stop with the “Tim Foust” obsession. I used to love your channel to hear reactions to Home Free until you became obsessed with “Tim Foust”. Now it’s become really annoying and ruins the music you’re playing. It’s not funny, cute, or necessary anymore. Your point has been made. Please will you stop gushing and mimicking over “Tim Foust”. Thank you.
