NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 21, 2009) – A magnificent Yamaha tradition continues on Friday, January 15, 2010, when some of the music industry’s brightest and most respected stars take the stage at the Yamaha Dealer Concert. This year’s 50th Anniversary concert promises to unite the unforgettable R&B/pop/jazz sensation
Natalie Cole, chart-topping pop sensation
Jason Mraz, undeniably soulful, platinum-selling singer/songwriter
Michael McDonald, country rocker and 18-time CMA Award-winning
Vince Gill, and heartland pop/rock piano player
Jon McLaughlin on one stage for one triumphant evening. Additional artists will be announced shortly!
“In commemoration of Yamaha’s 50th anniversary in America, we will be presenting an all-star night celebrating five remarkable decades of Yamaha artists,” says Chris Gero of Yamaha Artist Services Nashville and show producer. “This year’s concert will be an extravaganza like no other.”
Disney’s California Adventure Park’s magical Hyperion Theater will be the venue for this impressive musical event, which will take place at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 15. Named after Walt Disney’s first studio on Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles, the dazzling 2,000 seat Hyperion® Theater is located in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area of Disney’s California Adventure® Park at the Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim.
Tickets are available to Yamaha dealers on a limited basis, and artists are subject to change. Dealers should see their Yamaha representative for more information. For media inquiries please contact Tiffany Napper at (615) 599-0800.
Before she captured 1975’s Best New Artist GRAMMY Award,
Natalie Cole appealed to fans and critics alike with her versatility as an R&B, pop and jazz singer of the first order. Her canon includes such No. 1’s as “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” “Inseparable,” “Our Love,” “I’ve Got Love On My Mind,” “Pink Cadillac” and “Miss You Like Crazy.” The nine-time GRAMMY winner continues to astonish with her vocal dexterity and her intimate, knowing way with a lyric and melody.
Michael McDonald not only grew up on Motown music, he went on to incorporate his vocal passion of the music with his love of rock n' roll into a stellar GRAMMY winning career that has spanned more than 30 years. Early in his career, he spent several years with Steely Dan before joining the Doobie Brothers in 1976. With his voice and songwriting style, he helped transform the Doobie Brothers into a more soulful rock group with hit songs like "What A Fool Believes," "Real Love," "You Belong To Me," "It Keeps You Runnin'," and "Little Darling (I Need You)," among countless others.
McDonald quickly became one of most distinctive and popular singer/songwriters to emerge from the ‘70s rock scene and began his successful multi-platinum solo career, which has spawned several singles that have reached Top 10 on the Billboard R&B and Pop Charts. He has written songs with Kenny Loggins ("This Is It") and Carly Simon ("You Belong To Me") as well as Patti Austin, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Anita Baker, Paul Carrack, Stanley Clarke and more.
Jason Mraz, known for his clever, observant lyrics and strong, engaging pop melodies, released his debut album Waiting for My Rocket to Come in 2002, which contained the hit single "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)," but it wasn’t until the release of his second album Mr. A-Z that Mraz achieved commercial success. In 2008, Mraz became a worldwide sensation with the release of his third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. It spawned the mega hit single “I’m Yours,” which received a triple-Platinum certification from the RIAA for sales over three million and two GRAMMY Award nominations for Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
American neotraditional country singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
Vince Gill has sold more than 26 million albums, earned 18 CMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year in 1993 and 1994, is tied with George Strait for having won the most CMA Male Vocalist Awards, and is currently second only to George Straight for accumulating the most CMA Awards in history. Gill achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman to the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the ‘70s and as a solo artist beginning in 1983. He has since earned 20 GRAMMY Awards, more than any other male country music artist. In August of 2007, the Country Music Association inducted Gill into the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.
Twenty-five-year-old singer/songwriter
Jon McLaughlin has enjoyed success following the release of his debut Island Records album Indiana and his new, sophomore effort, OK Now. McLaughlin has toured with Sara Bareilles, Paolo Nutini and Kelly Clarkson, along with dates with Colbie Caillat, Duffy and One Republic. He also performed “Beautiful Disaster” at the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony.
Fresh out of the studio with legendary producer/songwriter Tommy Sims,
Pull Start Rockets are gearing up to debut their infectious pop/alt/rock album to the world. Lead vocalist and guitarist Cayman, his brother and bassist Eric, drummer Shawn and guitarist Skylar together make up a gifted up-and-coming band ready to burst onto the scene with their contagious, rocking melodies.
The performers will be backed by a veritable who’s who of musicians and legendary bassist Nathan East will be the show’s musical director. East has recorded, performed and co-written songs with artists such as Eric Clapton, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Babyface, Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, David Benoit, Phil Collins and Philip Bailey.
For more information on the extensive Yamaha product catalog and critically acclaimed Yamaha artists, please visit
www.yamaha.com.
