By Scott Timpano
He’s selling tickets at a rampant rate but somehow Josh Groban remains relatively unknown on the American music scene. The 25-year old Los Angeles native won’t be unknown for much longer. His fans are grabbing up tickets like crazy and established musicians are jumping at collaborative opportunities.
Groban’s latest and third studio release Awake boasts quite a guest lineup: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Dave Matthews, Glen Ballard, Eric Mouquet, John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting), Marius DeVries, David Foster, Imogen Heap and Herbie Hancock. With album guests spanning such a wide musical spectrum it’s no surprise that the album is Groban’s most diverse sounding effort to date.
Groban’s success can be contributed not only to enormous talent but a genuine willingness to listen to his fan base. “I learned from touring that my fans are really open-minded, musical, intelligent people and I feel like they want to come on this new journey with me. The music still sounds like it’s coming from my heart and my soul and my voice. That is always the most important thing to me. My goal on Awake was to create the music and find the best people to help me create it.”
So far, Groban’s formula is working perfectly. His popularity amongst fans and peers has never been higher. The 29-stop tour begins in New York and finishes in Las Vegas. Like his latest album, his tour boasts quite a bit of diversity as well. Along with arenas from coast to coast, Groban will also hit the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT and the main stage at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
