Groban's Reach
The Patriot-News
July 29, 2007
By Prasana William
Unlikely pop star garners loyal, do-gooding fans
Girls swoon over his puppy dog eyes and his dark curly mane. They liken his lips to bubble gum and sigh over his chest hair.
What pop music superstar is this?
Not pop -- try opera. In a world of eye-linered punk rockers and bad boy R&B singers, classically trained Josh Groban has become an unexpected heartthrob.
Since his debut self-titled album in 2001, Groban has released a multiplatinum album, sung for the Pope and Oprah, and collaborated with artists ranging from Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Beyonce. His most recent album, "Awake," reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts.
With this kind of success comes celebrity, and with celebrity comes fans. Though his music does not immediately lend itself to the kind of rock-star image that usually draws legions of crazy fans, Groban has attracted a motley crowd, ranging from teens infatuated with his looks to moms championing his charities.
"His voice has that personal connection that a lot of people are looking for today and can't find in pop music," said Megan Greiner of Harrisburg.
Groban's voice and youth are what draws such a wide age range to his music. Opera has been painted as the music of wealthy old people, but, at 26, Groban has become the handsome face of the genre for a new generation.
"When you see what he looks like you'd never expect that voice at all," said Tiana Greek of New Cumberland.
When he first came on the scene, people could not believe that a voice so powerful could come out of a man so young. After his performance on "Ally McBeal" viewers were positive his voice had been dubbed and a Web site was quickly thrown together to assure the public that the vocals and man were one.
However, if the opera didn't turn away younger fans, one would expect the fact that Groban often sings in French, Spanish and Italian would do the trick. It hasn't.
"I don't know what he's singing, but the emotion comes across," said Katie Mumper of New Cumberland.
The emotional connection has been bringing the crowds to sold-out stadiums everywhere, often multiple times. Amanda Johnson of New Columbia saw her first Groban show in 2004, and his personal laid-back nature enticed her to see another that winter.
Groban's followers are as loyal as the Grateful Dead's, but instead of Deadheads he's got Grobanites. These superfans are dedicated to spreading the word of Groban everywhere and converting as many people as they can. They arrange meet-and-greet parties where fans can mingle before shows.
With his celebrity, there's no way of avoiding the crazy fans. Shawnee Erickson runs the fanlisting www.DiscoverJosh.net, and has seen her share of strange behavior as the listing grows. Fans have claimed they are bigger fans and demanded she turn the site over to them.
"One comment I got when someone joined was that they wanted to be Josh's hot pancake lover," she said, a statement that still baffles her.
However, for every "hot pancake lover" there is a sane Grobanite. Many support the work of The Josh Groban Foundation, an organization which provides aid to needy children all over the world. A group of fans came together in 2002 to create Grobanites for Charity, an organization that raises money for The Josh Groban Foundation.
"Josh's fans are like a community," team leader Valerie Sooky said in a phone interview from California where the group is based. "It's a way to give back."
GFC raises money by selling Groban paraphernalia on its Web site and holding auctions of donated and fan-made items. Groban is fully supportive of the group, according to Sooky, and has even donated items to the auctions. Most recently, he gave two front row tickets for every stop of his current tour.
"It branches out," Sooky said of Grobanite charity work. "Everyone is so organized that these things start on their own."
Following Groban's special interest in African childrens' charities, Grobanites for Africa began as an offshoot of GFC, but has become its own organization. GFC members also have begun supporting the charities of Angelique Kidjo, who is touring with Groban.
Sooky believes that organizations such as GFC align with Groban's nature.
"It's part of how he is. He's a very genuine, humble person," she said.
In an interview with The Fresno (Calif.) Bee, Groban acknowledged the connection between his music and the behavior of his fans.
"Anytime I can sing a song or find music that inspires people to do a good thing, is a great thing," he said.
Despite the legions of obsessive fans, it appears that Groban's music has created a new force of goodwill in the world.
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