CHAT PARA abc
Moderator
Josh, welcome! Congratulations on your
newfound success.
What was
it like singing in front of all those people at the Olympics?
Josh
Groban
Thanks! It's wonderful to be here! :o) Performing at the Olympics was one of the
major thrills of my life. The energy coming from those people was incredible.
Being able to share my music at an event such as that one was an honor that I'll
never forget.
Moderator
You say no one knows what "bin" to put you in, since your music falls
into so many categories — Classical, Pop, Rock, Easy Listening, to name a few.
What category do you think best
describes your work?
Josh
Groban
Great question. As much as I enjoy seeing my CD in many different sections of
the music store, I hope that it ultimately winds up in the pop section, because
that's what I really see my music as. I have a really large number of influences
in all genres but at the moment I look at myself as a pop singer.
Mary
Ann asks:
Josh, are you ready for the life altering explosion of celebrity and the loss of
privacy and anonymity that the coverage on 20/20 and Rosie will entail?
Josh
Groban
Well, I hope I don't lose TOO much privacy. :o) I don't think anything can
really prepare someone for that kind of an "explosion." I'm just so
thrilled that people have found the music and are interested. Anything that
comes with that is a plus as far as I'm concerned and the negative things I'm
willing to deal with because I think it all comes with it.
Catherine
asks:
How did you get started? And what advice can you give to other people looking to
get into the music business?
Josh
Groban
In terms of a career, my professional life started when I met David Foster. He
really took me under his wing and making this CD with him was an awesome
beginning for me.
But
going back even further, it was just a love of music that I've had ever since I
was a kid. I had amazing parents that made sure I listened to everything and
were supportive from day one. My advice to anyone new would be to follow your
passion but always have a backup plan.
Moderator
From Perry, Jr.: "How much time do you put into developing your talent?"
Josh
Groban
Ever since I knew I could sing and especially since I knew I was going to do it
for a living, the best thing I thought I could do for myself was get as much
training as possible.
I try to
work with a voice coach 3-4 times a week and I work on songs almost every day.
It's hard if I'm out on the road and I don't get to train for a couple weeks —
I feel like I've fallen behind! It's something I really have to do every day;
otherwise, I start feeling rusty.
Saly
asks:
Who is your biggest musical influence?
Josh
Groban
Wow ... it's really hard to name just one. There have been so many amazing
singers and musicians that I've looked up to or listened to all my life like
Paul Simon, Sting, Peter Gabrielle, Bjork ... anyone who really tried to push
the boundaries or step outside the box a little bit.
My vocal
influences were the big voices of the stage: Mandy Patinkin, George Hearn,
Luciano Pavarotti ... anyone who told a story with their songs.
Moderator
From Amanda Dix: "Do you have a 'token' audition piece?"
Josh
Groban
When auditioning for colleges, I used a song from the musical Closer
Than Ever called "If I Sing" ... to me it was just the most
gorgeous song and it was one I just felt I could do well.
Sometimes
you get music from the person that THEY want you to sing, in which case you just
sing it with as much confidence as possible. The most important part of an
audition is to make yourself feel comfortable. :o)
Moderator
From Anna Falk in Sweden: "What is the most challenging thing you've done
in your singing career?"
Josh
Groban
The most challenging thing for me, as a new artist, is that I've had to learn so
much so quickly and in front of so many people. Sometimes it feels overwhelming,
but it makes it that much more rewarding when you feel like you got through
another day having done something you never thought you could do.
Faith
asks:
Have you ever doubted your singing abilities?
Josh
Groban
Sure ... I'm very critical of myself and there's always something I feel I could
do better.
Joan
Drews asks:
Josh, I've seen some of the postings on your Web site from women throughout the
world. Are you surprised at the open adoration your music has prompted in the
female population?
Josh
Groban
I'm very flattered by it! After Ally
McBeal, a lot of girls wanted to take me to prom and I've had a few marriage
proposals. I think it's really cool and I hope never to lose that. It's all
about the music though!! :o)
Anne
Langdon asks:
How much input did you, Josh, have in the song selections on this — your first
— album? Two songs in particular, "To Where You Are: and "You're
Still You" are deeply moving and convey great sensitivity about loss and
tragedy. Are you drawn to songs that speak of deep emotion?
Josh
Groban
Yes ... I think the best songs are those that bring out emotion whether you want
it to or not. The song "To Where You Are" spoke to a lot of people
because it's for anyone who has had to deal with the death of a loved one. I've
been really touched by the letters I've received from people who got comfort
from the song.
I had
input on all the songs on the album. Some of them were my idea and some of them
were suggestions from David Foster or other people but they were all songs that
I felt really passionately about.
Moderator
From Kelle C asks: "How important do you feel your experience at
Interlochen was to your musical inspiration?"
Josh
Groban
My two summers at the Interlochen Arts Camp were incredible for me. I was very
young and I had a BIG interest in the arts but I needed direction and training.
Interlochen really gave me the confidence and experience to take my love of the
arts to the next level.
Jayne
Paradis asks:
Do you plan to do any more acting? I've caught both episodes of Ally
McBeal and thought you did a great job!
Josh
Groban
Thanks!! YES, I would love to do more acting. It's always something I've had an
interest in, and working on Ally McBeal
really gave me a great chance to learn a lot about it, plus it was so much fun.
Right
now I'm doing so much work with the album it would be hard, but if the right
role came along I would definitely take it. :o)
Andrea
Lawson asks:
Do you have plans for college? Where do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?
Your voice is enchanting.
Josh
Groban
Leaving college to make this album was a big sacrifice for me and, as much as I
stand by the decision I made, I would love to go back and take more classes. I
hope to do so in the next year or two.
Romna
Perez asks:
What are you passionate about, other than music?
Josh
Groban
My biggest hobby is playing the drums. For some reason it's always been a bit of
an obsession for me.
Other
than that, I try to make my main hobby keeping in touch with family and friends.
It's the little things that are so much more important to me now that I'm gone
so much.
Hope
Parker asks:
Hey Josh! So glad you're getting all the success you so richly deserve. I've
been following you on your Web site (I'm a Grobanite), and have seen what a
whirlwind your life has been lately. Have you scheduled some time out for a
break? I and so many others would hate to see you get worn down so quickly. As
much as we love you, we want for you to stay healthy and happy!
Josh
Groban
Hi! I've been on my Web site lately and I've notice that a few of you have been
concerned about me getting a break. I try to take a day off here and there but I
don't think I'll be REALLY resting for a while. At least I hope not!
Moderator
Josh, will you be going on tour any time soon?
Josh
Groban
I've been really excited that so many people have asked this question because I
can't wait to hit the road and do some concerts. Over the summer we're going to
do some planning and hopefully around September or October we'll have a small
tour planned.
Moderator
Josh, thanks for stopping by. And thanks to all those who joined
the chat!
Josh
Groban
Thanks you guys!! It was great to chat with you all and hopefully I answered
some of your questions. See you soon!
OH YEAH!
If you have any other questions or want to listen to the album you can check out
my Web site at www.JoshGroban.com Thanks again! BYE!
Moderator
To continue this conversation with other viewers, please
visitour 20/20 message board.
Moderated
by ABCNEWS.com's Saira Stewart
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