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Permalink Reply by Gail on October 4, 2011 at 4:23pm

Tuesday, Oct. 04, 201

Michael Bolton is bringing his soundtrack

BY LYNN VENHAUS - For the News-Democrat

BY LYNN VENHAUS  

 

 

Listening to Motown's rhythm and blues singers while growing up in Connecticut was a huge turning point in Michael Bolton's life.

"Ray Charles was the strongest influence on me, single after single on the radio, then my brother introduced me to a record by Little Stevie Wonder. He played me 'Fingertips.' They were singer's singers. That was when I realized what people could do with their voices," Bolton said during a phone interview. "Those singers, plus Marvin Gaye and others, short of the Beatles and Rolling Stones, were the most influential."

The prolific award-winning soul singer will perform Thursday at the Family Arena in St. Charles, part of a 110-city tour that has taken him around the world. He scored his first hit record at age 34, and has been touring ever since. A true survivor, he has amassed a loyal fan base, multiple Grammys and American Music Awards, and two No. 1 singles, along with a plethora of Top 40 hits and platinum albums. He has recorded 35 singles and 17 albums.

 

  

Encountering his hero, Ray Charles, was one of the biggest thrills Bolton has had as a performing artist. "I got to meet and spend time with him, and it was a great honor. I said 'the student finally meets the master,' and I started gushing," he said. "Then I got to sing 'Georgia On My Mind' in front of him as he sat on the stage being inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame. It was an out-of-body experience."

While meeting other artists he has admired is one of the perks of a long career, he has discovered one common thread. "They're just like everyone else. But as kids, they only wanted to do one thing, and that was sing, and in some cases, write music. We get to talk about the journey. You get the inside information on their careers, but everyone knows it's a long road, full of ups and downs, and you get to do what you always loved, and travel the world, and there's no small debt of gratitude for that," he said.

For his latest album, "Gems," he recorded duets with such major artists as Rascal Flatts, Seal and Chris Botti. Some up-and-comers like Orianthi, who was a guitarist with Michael Jackson and is featured in "This Is It," recorded "Steel Bars" with him. Lara Fabian sang what Bolton refers to as David Foster's masterpiece, "The Prayer."

His excitement over spending three days recording "Love is Everything" with Rascal Flatts in Nashville, and a mash-up of "When a Man Loves a Woman" and "It's a Man's, Man's Man's World" with Seal, which was Foster's brainchild, is evident in his voice.

Bolton enjoys working with young artists, especially international performers who haven't hit it big in the United States yet but are major stars in their countries. He has received numerous requests to record with them, and when he is touring in their cities, he'll make arrangements to sing with them -- even if it means giving up vacation time. Working with younger artists keeps him evolving, he said.

Bolton remembers what it's like breaking in to the business. After recording his own music and not getting much airplay, Bolton established a foothold in the business as a songwriter recorded by other artists.

"I signed with Epic Records when I was 16, and I didn't have my first hit single until I was 34. Songwriting for others was almost an accident, it became survival. A friend of mine said I could give other singers songs, and they would pay me for them, and I would get paid when they had airplay. It was a way to pay the bills.

"Suddenly, I had a new career. I loved being a songwriter. It was comfortable for me, and I thought I could do it on the side."

Cher recorded "I Found Someone," which revitalized her career, and Laura Branigan had a huge hit with "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?" His music has been recorded by everyone from Conway Twitty to Kanye West (although he had to ask his daughters who he was when he first learned West and Jay-Z had sampled one of his songs).

After 20 years, Bolton is used to the road, but still manages the time to be a social activist and to work with charities involved with domestic violence. He has established the Michael Bolton Foundation to assist women living in poverty and dealing with emotional and physical abuse.

"I have never taken my career for granted," he said. "When a fan tells me how much one of my songs meant to them at a particular time in their life, I am very grateful. I am thrilled to be a part of the soundtrack of their life."

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on October 4, 2011 at 4:36pm

Thanks Gail for another great article and I love Michael's comment of; "I am thrilled to be a part of the soundtrack of their life." for that is, without doubt, a most apt expression for what he has been to many of us at various times along the road !! :)

 

Sylvia.   Your wee Scottish friend.

Permalink Reply by Robin on October 4, 2011 at 4:44pm

Thanks Gail. Ditto to what you just posted Sylvia. So true!!!!!!

Robin in MD :)

Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on October 8, 2011 at 8:43am

A third vote for Michael's great words in this article!!! Thanks Gail for enlightening us once again with Michael's insights!! Much appreciated :)

Kathy and LAFD Bob

Permalink Reply by Nicolette on October 4, 2011 at 5:27pm

Thank you Gail for another great article!  So very true what you posted Sylvia!!

Nicolette xx

Permalink Reply by robin rehder on October 5, 2011 at 6:22am

MB'S In Louisiana tonight. Wonder how it went. Hope we'll be able to get some reviews. Boltonnut from L. A. CA

Permalink Reply by Joy Arban on October 5, 2011 at 6:52am

Gail,

Another great article, thank you!  I get the feeling Michael is being taken more seriously by these writers lately, it's about time!

And Sylvia, you picked out what means the most to me in that article.

Joy

from the Jersey Shore

Permalink Reply by robin rehder on October 5, 2011 at 7:12am

Amen, it's about time these writers take MB seriously. Boltonnut from L. A. CA

Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on October 5, 2011 at 11:41am

Absolutely love your icon Joy and like you and others love the words Michael chose for his description and I believe for a great majority of us Michael's words ring very true and what is so wonderful is that Michael may have seen us through the "dark tunnels" of life but it is great that he is still there when the sun appears again and I just hope, as he has been there when we have needed him, that in some small way his knowledge of what he means to us has helped him travel through some of his own "dark tunnels" and to know we are there too when he has emerged from them and in that knowledge we have helped make his "special journey", started so many years ago, all the more worthwhile........Michael may be our "soundtrack through life" but I hope we are and continue to be the "providers of his soul", along with his family and all those he loves dearly, throughout his life.

Sylvia.  Your wee Scottish friend.

Permalink Reply by Diane McKane on October 5, 2011 at 3:18pm

Wow, Sylvia:

Thank you!  You said it so well!  Thank you...

Diane

Permalink Reply by Kathy Rosario on October 8, 2011 at 8:46am

Very very nice Joy!!!! Thanks!!! And loquacious Wee One you are right on!!!! Thank you both for the perfect ending to Michael's article......well done ladies :)

Kathy and LAFD Bob

Permalink Reply by Eileen Parr on October 5, 2011 at 9:27pm

Joy you are so right! Its about time don't you think! The picture u have there says it all!
Love ya!

Eileen from Upstate NY

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