THE ARTIST SPOTLIGHT THIS 
         TIME OUT IS FOCUSED ON 

  THE PHENOMENAL  JOSH GROBAN

Josh Groban is not a typical twenty-something pop singer, and record store owners have had a tough time deciding just what bin to put his CDs in. Many of his songs are contemporary romantic ballads, but Groban, who is classically trained, also performs opera and sings classical songs in Italian, Spanish, and French. Regardless of the fact that he defies classification, Groban's fans number in the millions, and they have no problem locating or buying his music. Since bursting on the scene with his debut album in 2002, the gangly Groban has become a music phenomenon. He was the best-selling new male artist of 2002, and since then he has toured the world, performing to record-breaking crowds of all ages.

Joshua Winslow Groban was born February 27, 1981, in Los Angeles, California. According to Groban, both of his parents were quite artistic and instilled in their children a love of theater and music. His mother, Melinda, was an artist and interior designer. His father, Jack, a businessman who owned his own executive recruiting company, was an accomplished pianist who could play piano by ear. Groban inherited his piano-playing skills from his father. He also credits both his parents for introducing him to a wide variety of musical styles.

Groban was drawn to musical theater and opera, counting Mandy Patinkin (1952–) and Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) as two of his idols. At the same time, he listened to pop musicians. In Interview, Groban explained to Renee Fleming that he was especially interested in artists "who decided not to settle into one particular musical style—people like Paul Simon, who took folk music and put African music on top of it." He was referring to American singer-songwriter Paul Simon (1941–) and his award-winning Graceland album, which was the first CD Groban ever received as a gift.

Since being discovered in 1999, Groban has been working almost nonstop, either traveling, performing, or in the recording studio. He does not complain, but does admit that life on the road is not that glamorous. Days are long and filled with voice lessons, sound checks, and rehearsals. To pass the time, he reads, watches movies, and plays video games. Groban is also an avid drummer. He learned to play when he was about sixteen years old, and as he explained to Fleming, "It's a great way to get all the stress out."

Few young people gain so much success at so early an age, but Groban seems to be handling it well. He commented that his biggest extravagance has been to buy a Porsche. He also views his career with a mature eye. While he is trained to sing opera, he does not see himself recording or performing any major arias for some time. "When I do them," he told Fleming, "I want to do them right." And Groban still has his sights set on Broadway. He came one step closer to his dream in September of 2003, when he appeared in a one-night-only benefit performance of the play Chess at the Amsterdam Theater in New York City. There appears to be much more ahead for the boy with the "bottomless lungs." When asked by Fleming where he sees himself in ten years, he replied, "I'd like to be able to say that I put my foot in a little of everything, but that I did it intelligently. And if I make mistakes, I want to know that I learned from them."
Groban's first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum, and in 2007, he was charted as the number-one best selling artist in the United States with over 21 million records in the nation. To date, he has sold over 25 million records worldwide. For those who have been putting off buying an album by Josh Groban, his latest is definitely one of his greatest:

THE 12 TRACKS INCLUDE:

   BRAVE
   FALSE ALARMS
   FALLING SLOWLY (from Broadway Show and Tony Winner, "ONCE")
   SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR
   BELOW THE LINE
   E TI PROMETTORO
   THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS
   UN ALMA MAS
   HAPPY IN MY HEARTACHE
   HOLLOW TALK
   SINCERA
   I BELIEVE (WHEN I FALL IN LOVE IT WILL BE FOREVER)

BELOW ARE SOME YOU TUBE'S THAT SHOW JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW
POWERFUL SOME OF THESE SONGS ARE:
  

And the main theme song from the Broadway Tony Winner, "ONCE"

Here is a link to our special Music Page which features the songs of Josh Groban. (LINK)
Don't forget to check out Josh's own webpage here: (link)