Michael Bolton To Play Seneca Niagara Casino

Michael Bolton to play
Seneca Niagara Casino

By Melanie Hulick

Singer-songwriter Michael Bolton will play one show only at Seneca Niagara Casino on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 as part of his worldwide 115 city tour.

When you hear the name Michael Bolton most people’s first thoughts would be of the music… of the trademark unmistakable voice on songs like “Soul Provider”, “How Can We Be Lovers”, the soulful rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman” and “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You”, which incidentally won him his first Grammy award.

Some will think of the staggering number of over 53 million albums and singles sold worldwide.

Some will think of the songwriter who has written #1 singles for Cher (I Found Someone), Barbra Streisand (We’re Not Making Love Anymore), KISS (Forever) and Laura Branigan (How Am I Supposed To Live Without You), which as stated above was Bolton’s first Grammy award.

You may be a music buff or a Bolton fan fanatic knowing the singer-songwriter has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry like Lady Gaga, Ray Charles, Kennny-G and Ne-Yo.

You might recall the long list of singers that have recorded and performed Bolton’s hits. Artists like Patti LaBelle, Marc Anthony, Conway Twitty, Jay-Z, John Legend and Joe Cocker, to name only a few.

Some will recall the vocal performances with pop icons Seal and Lara Fabian, country super group Rascal Flatts, as well as his classical music stunners with Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and the late great Luciano Pavarotti- who he remembers in the following conversation.

Still others would think of the humanitarian who has his own foundation, The Michael Bolton Charities, which strives to end the violence against women and children.

Choose anyone of these endeavors and you would see a list of awards and accolades that are well deserved.

No matter what comes to mind when you hear the name Michael Bolton, you can’t deny the contributions this amazing singer, songwriter and social activist has made all over the world.

When I caught up with Bolton recently, as he took time out of his crazy, hectic world-wide tour, we talked about some of these things along with what decade was his favorite as a music fan and as a performer. I asked him if he had a career “bucket list” and what he would like his legacy to be.

We even talked about how beautiful this time of year is in Niagara Falls, a place he loves to visit. Asking if he will have any time for site seeing Bolton replied, “I would love to but we have a pretty busy tour schedule, so I don’t think so this time. I have been to the area many times and I do agree with you… it’s quite beautiful there.

For ticket information visit: www.senecacasinos.com

For more information on Michael Bolton visit: www.michaelbolton.com

A Conversation with Michael Bolton

By Melanie Hulick

HULICK: There have been many albums over the years that are written based solely on a period of emotion in the artist’s life, whether good or bad. One that fits this description is Adele’s “21”. Is there one of your albums that follow that path?

BOLTON: I’ve written so many songs over the years both for myself and for others. But certainly, I think the one with the most resonance is “Time, Love & Tenderness”. There are classic songs on that album that truly represent me and my inspirations growing up as a child.

HULICK: What are your thoughts on Adele?

BOLTON: I think Adele is one of most talented entertainers we have today. It’s absolutely amazing that we have this person as part of the industry who is creating just purely beautiful music.

HULICK: You’ve won so many awards throughout your career, including ones for best vocal performances as well as for songwriting. Which one carries the most weight for you career wise and which one personally?

BOLTON: They all mean so much to me. To be recognized by your peers and contemporaries is truly an honor. I can’t say that any one is more important or meaningful than the other, but I will say that I am very proud of the songwriting awards that I have received over the years.

HULICK: There was no “reality” singing competition shows when you started your career. Do you think that the process you went through gave you what you needed to become a force in the music industry and to keep that status decades later?

BOLTON: Definitely. A lot of young artists, including winners of these competitions, ask me about my career. I think having taken the time to have my first hit, it was about 17 years while I was in the industry before my first hit, has a profound impact on how you can manage your career and what you can do to secure that longevity. I am blessed to have the career that I have had and hope to continue to have.

HULICK: One of the things I remember most about your career is your performances of the operatic aria “Nessum Dorma”. That piece always brings emotions to the service and usually ends up with teary eyes. But when I heard you sing it, I not only got the teary eyes, I realized at the end that I had been holding my breath. I guess that’s what they mean by leaving someone breathless. I seriously have not heard anything more beautiful. What was, and is, that like performing that song solo and with the late Luciano Pavarotti?

BOLTON: Thank you for the kind words. Luciano taught me so much. I am forever grateful to him for showing me that I had an instrument that I needed to take care of and work with constantly. I have a few moments in my career that simply stand out above all the rest, and it’s been a long career! But sharing the stage with him is probably one of the top moments, and I always think about that experience when I perform it as a solo artist.

HULICK: You’ve touched on almost every genre of music throughout your career as well as all aspects of the recording industry. Is there more that you want to do that you haven’t done yet? Sort of a bucket list you’re crossing off?

BOLTON: I have to say that I am particularly happy and grateful that I got to work with The Lonely Island! If there was something I could do more of, it would be to work with them again and on more things. I’d love to do film work too.

HULICK: I recently spoke with singer-pianist Michael Feinstein and we talked about the ongoing debate of music and arts programs being cut in our schools. What are your thoughts on this?

BOLTON: I just want to say we need music programs in schools. It’s something that’s imperative to the creative future of our youth.

HULICK: You are very committed to humanitarian causes and have your own foundation, the Michael Bolton Charities. Could you please tell me a little bit about this foundation and how people can get involved in helping your efforts?

BOLTON: Certainly. The Michael Bolton Charities is a foundation set up to raise money and awareness to benefit abused women and children. I can think of nothing more important than to find ways to support these individuals. You can visit www.michaelboltoncharities.com for more information. We also do have some great events a few times throughout the year including a golf tournament in Ojai, California. Plus we’ll be doing a show at the Traveler’s Championship in Connecticut in June.

HULICK: What has been your favorite decade musically for you, and what is your favorite decade as a music fan?

BOLTON: The Motown years will always be my favorite years musically. In fact, I am currently working on a Motown album with some of the artists from that era. And for myself, I will always look back on the late 80’s and early 90’s quite fondly.

HULICK: What would you like your legacy to be?

BOLTON: As an artist who did everything they could to inspire fans worldwide and to be a part of the songbook for their lives.