Biography
Toxic Audio formed as an a cappella quintet made up of Jeremy James, Shalisa James, Michelle Mailhot-Valines, Rene Ruiz, and Paul Sperrazza, launching their career with a debut at the 1998 Orlando International Fringe Festival. That appearance secured a year-long engagement at Disney/MGM Studios, where the group delivered six performances daily. In 2000 they claimed the national title at the National Harmony Sweepstakes. Working independently, they produced and distributed three albums—Toxic Audio, Captive Audience, and Chemistry—through direct sales at live shows and via their site www.toxicaudio.com. At the 2003 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards, Chemistry earned recognition as Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year. On April 18, 2004, the ensemble transferred its stage production, also titled Toxic Audio, to off-Broadway’s John Houseman Theatre in New York City. The run continued until October 31 and received a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. The group then joined DRG Records to prepare Word of Mouth, a retrospective that combined earlier material with four fresh recordings, and the collection appeared in March 2005.
Albums
