'On the Stage' series gives listeners an intimate setting
Mike Eldred titled his current series of performances “On the Stage” for good reason. Audience members actually are seated on the stage with Eldred and his guest artists during the shows.
The next performance of “On the Stage with Mike Eldred” features “Nashville’s Renaissance man” and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Marcus Hummon, and Helena native and Nashville songwriter Chris Roberts.
In an intimate setting of 100 people, the audience will enjoy an entertaining evening with the three, spotlighting some of Hummon’s country hits, musicals, operas, cantatas, poetry and more.
A renowned recording artist, songwriter and composer, Hummon is best-known for his country hits, recorded by megastars Rascal Flatts, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Wynonna Judd, to name a few. His songs have been recorded in many genres, however, from pop, rhythm and blues to gospel.
Hummon has also received numerous BMI Awards, has written music for film and scores for two films, “Lost Boy Home,” narrated by Sam Waterston, and “The Last Songwriter,” a documentary he co-produced featuring Garth Brooks and Jason Isbell, which won the Audience Award at the 2017 Nashville Film Festival.
He has written six musicals, three of which were performed off-Broadway, as well as an opera. He is also a published author.
Most recently, Hummon wrote two songs for Jennifer Warnes’ newest release, “Another Time, Another Place,” including “Once I Was Loved,” which was co-written with John Legend.
Roberts will perform songs from his latest album, “The Way West,” and songs he wrote for the hit television show “Nashville,” as well as songs he performed in the Broadway Show “The Civil War,” where he shared the stage with Eldred.
This is the second performance in the “On the Stage with Mike Eldred” series. The premiere show last August that featured the music of the late John Denver sold out. It was an encore performance of Denver’s music following Eldred’s sold-out concert with the Glacier Symphony in 2016.
“On the Stage” will carry into 2019, Eldred said.
Eldred’s sublime tenor voice has won over audiences on Broadway and across North America. He has appeared on numerous recordings and DVDs, has three solo CDs and has garnered critical acclaim far and wide.
Ever since Eldred moved to Montana in 2003 to work with the Alpine Theatre Project he has wanted to share this beautiful corner of the country.
“I’ve had the opportunity to make many great friendships with amazingly talented musicians and artists,” Eldred said. “I want to bring them here to the Flathead Valley to show them what is so special about this place. For me it’s a dream coming true.
“‘On the Stage’ will give the audience a chance to interact, sing along, ask questions and sit back and listen to some wonderful music,” he said. “I’m more than excited to present Marcus and Chris in concert. I’ve known and worked with these guys for almost 20 years now, and I have had the pleasure of creating, writing, performing and just smoking a cigar every once in a while with them on several occasions. Hey Flathead Valley, meet my friends!”
Get tickets
“On the Stage with Mike Eldred” presents Grammy Award winner Marcus Hummon, and songwriter Chris Roberts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $48 available online at mikeeldred.com/on-the-stage or by calling 615-351-0802.
Entertainment Editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or thisweek@dailyinterlake.com.