Josh Groban Uses Fans' Energy to Make Any Size Concert a Great One
Evansville Courier & Press
March 4, 2005
By Rebecca Coudret
Sunday, while the world was watching, Josh Groban celebrated his 24th birthday. Onstage. At the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. During the Academy Awards broadcast.

But he says it really didn't register.

"I didn't even think about it! I was probably too scared! All I thought all day was 'Please, God, let me do a good job!'

"It was a nerve-racking day - but now that I can look back on it, it probably was the best possible way to spend a birthday. My brother (who shares the birthday) and my girlfriend were there, so it was really special."

Being just 24 and singing to the world never entered his mind. "It kind of hits you, in a way - but viewers don't care how old you are! They just want you to do a good job."

Groban waffles on whether the tour that brings him to Evansville on Wednesday is his first, second - or maybe even third tour. "It's really a continuation of the same tour - one that's gone on for a very long time! Pretty soon we'll do our 110th show."

The first few shows were in venues seating 2,000 to 4,000 or so. "I thought those concerts were amazing," he said. "It was scary and exciting at the same time. I mean, to sell out every show in 20 minutes? I was - still am - so flattered and honored."

With a laugh he added, "And once I found out about the sellouts and thought about what that all meant, I thought 'Can I do this?'

"It's been an incredible 'trial by fire' and the fans have kept it fueled."

This time, though, he's playing arenas, including Madison Square Garden and other 10,000 to 15,000-seaters. And while he loved the intimacy of the small facilities, Groban said he likes the arenas more. "You build your own intimacy. In a theater, people aren't sure if they should sit or stand, so they're kind of up and down. In an arena, they come in expecting a different kind of show and expecting to have a good time."

This seemingly never-ending tour took on some major changes when Groban and his orchestra began playing the large outdoor arenas last summer. "That's actually when, I think, you could separate the parts of this tour. We wanted to make sure the big show was more electrifying. It was an interesting transition to the sheds and arenas. We wanted the music to be grand - but the stage and lights and video had to be grand, too."

Where Groban was the solo performer the early part of the tour, this time he has an opening act. "I've been a Chris Botti fan for a long time," he said. "I love jazz, and when I was looking for someone to open the show, I wanted someone who would do something a little different from what I did, who would bring different flavors to the evening. This has proven to be an absolutely perfect pairing."

Groban looks at his career as one filled with many blessings, from the people who guided him early to the people who are onstage with him now. "They are amazingly talented musicians. I have to honestly say I hope we'll be working together forever."

And he said that while his ascension to the top of the concert charts happened quickly, he had time to think about where he was, how he's changed since those first few concerts. "I think I've learned a lot; if that's 'change,' then I certainly have changed. And that's a good thing. When I'm on the road, I actually can feel the change happening. The more I'm exposed to, the more I learn about music and about myself. I'm not as afraid to tap into the influences I've always had. People think of me as 'this,' but now I'm not afraid to try 'that.' "

One major example is "My December," a Groban-version of a Linkin Park song. "There are a lot of good things out there, and I'm not afraid to explore. The growth even I can see in myself has been such an unexpected highlight of my life. I never take any of this for granted, and I want to get as much out of it as I can."

Getting the most means expanding the places he plays. "As long as I've been able to keep touring, I'm happy. I know my fans are everywhere, not just the major cities.

"They're as important as anyone in any large city, and the energy from the audience isn't any different, no matter what city we're in."

This never-ending tour actually will "end for good the end of March. And I'm going to take some down time to rest and focus."

And when his head is clear, he'll begin working on a new CD. "I need a good long break - but I'll probably be back on the road in a year!"


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