IS WHAT MICHAEL BUBLE SAID TO US in the hall of the basement of Mandalay Bay as he casually walked by a group of about twenty and stood five feet away from my flushing ridged body which had just gone into shock when I first saw his face. I went strawberry red and dug my fingers into Adams arm and tried really hard to breath...
many of you know, Adam and I have a little side job ushering at different venues such as Mandalay Bay, Planet Hollywood, The Palms, and all the Station Casinos around town. Some of my favorite shows include: Brad Paisley, Dane Cook, Toby Keith, The Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake, James Blunt/Sara Barellis, etc. I loved the Brad Paisley concert and up until now it was the best I'd ever seen...then came May 23rd...the David Foster and Friends concert.
David Foster is a musician: composer, songwriter, producer...you name it. He has been the man behind the curtian for acts like Barbara Striesand, Celine Dion, Whiney Huston, movies like The Bodyguard, Karate Kid, and several Olympic games. Last night he had a concert which featured several of the people who he has helped break out into show buisness
The show was opened by 'Las Vegas' Favorite Son' Andre Aggasi followed by David Foster on the Piano and Kenny G on the Sax. They were followed by Michale Johns, American Idol reject who sang cover songs from Earth Wind and Fire, clients of Foster. Up Next: Sexy Brian McKnight who I fell in love with in seventh grade when I heard his song Back at One. Kathrine McPhee was up next, another American Idol loser turned winner. She sang 'Someday' from West Side Story which was followed by a brief broadcast by Barbara Striesand who made the song what it is today. She spoke of her affinity for Foster in helping her become Barbara. (Please note at this point I am still hyperventaliating internally at the thought of being five feet from Michael Buble).
After this Boz Scaggs came out during some clips of the John Travolta movie Urban Cowboy (David Foster wrote the music for the movie). He sang Look What you've Done To Me, and a few other Foster songs. THEN one of my favorite acts: Peter Cetara from Chicago! Foster wrote many songs of theirs including Glory for the Karate Kid. He sang Inspiration and Hard to say I'm Sorry, as well as Glory. He still sounded great!
Alright I know this is 1/3rd of the moment you've been waiting to hear about: Andre Botchelli came out for about a half hour and sang some of his famous songs that are accredited to David Foster, including Olympic theme songs: Because we Believe and The Prayer with Katherine McPhee. It is amazing to think that he can speak mulipul languages, play every instrument, and sing like an angel while never being able to see a piano note or a written word...makes you wonder what you've ever done with your life :)
BIG BREATH***Ok back to the rest of the show...it was four hours long by the way... so I had to take a big breath...
Next came a genious child piano player who took down the house. William Joseph has a new cd coming out of his piano creations and I suggest you check it out. Then came two R&B sensations Babyface and Eric Benet; former husband of Hally Berry, who sang (cover your ears Grandma) Wrap Your Chocolate Legs Round Me.
Then came the Creme da la Creme: My Michael. He came out singing Feeling Good which felt like he'd hooked my hips to a rope and was trying to get them to move and I mean MOVE. He joked around a lot and brought me to tears when he sang Home with Blake Shelton with my friend Rosalie listening intently in my pocket on speaker phone. It brought back memories of us longing for our fiance's back at home while we taught in Russia. He really brought down the house with his music and movement and I couldn't help but stand up and it was all I could do not to start dancing.
Next came various video clips of Fosters most famous project "The Bodyguard" as he introduced the person who would be singing, he introduced her as the 15 year old girl who took Oprah by surprise.She was amazing and Adam and I were THRILLED to see her because we'd been 'you tubing' her the last week. It was definitely amazing live.
David Foster told us he was done for the night and pretty tired. The whole audience started chanting Josh Josh Josh Josh and Mr. Groban joined Foster on the stage. To hear him sing was breathtaking. To hear him speak was funny also because he had this...normal person voice. I remember hearing him in 2003 after a breakup and thinking 'this is what falling in love.
All in all it was awe inspiring. These are the musical talents that bring the world down to it's knees. I don't care if you enjoy this kind of music or not, you have to admit these singers are talented, gifted. I was grateful for the opportunity
3 comments:
What a fun job!! I noticed you mentioned Toby Keith as one of your favs. Did you know Uncle Mike's band opened for Toby in St. George in 1997?
In my most Napoleon way I'd like to say.... " LUHCKEEE !"
What a great night!! I'm so glad you were able to go. I would have loved to have seen you dancing in your seat!
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