Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

Lessons Learned from Singing with Prince, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson

Quickly recognizing the talent behind Hill’s passionate music fusing funk, soul and rock, Prince promptly produced her first album and became her musical mentor. Hill proceeded to open for Prince and tour extensively with him — all experiences she will never forget.

Performances and Artists

From Busking in Colorado to Touring Worldwide

Today, he looks back on an impressive career that includes touring the world with his band of Grammy-winning-and-nominated musicians. His group tops the Billboard charts with its predominantly instrumental melodies spanning a vast range of genres, including rock, jazz, world-fusion and more.

Performances and Artists

‘Phantom’ Star Earns Worldwide Spotlight with Witty Parody Videos

Mann wrote the delightfully witty “My Corona” – a parody of “My Sharona” – about his desperation for finding toilet paper and organic food after the panicked public ransacked grocery stores. “I put (the parody video) online and thought nothing of it,” says Mann, who has also been featured on hit shows like “Glee” and “The Voice.”

Performances and Artists

Alisan Porter’s Journey from Film to Broadway to ‘The Voice’

Lauded for her powerhouse vocals, Porter’s impressive career includes costarring in “A Chorus Line” on Broadway, winning season 10 of hit NBC show “The Voice” and recently recording her acclaimed album of original songs, “Pink Cloud.”

Performances and Artists

The Accidental Creation of a Sizzling, Vintage Jazz Band

In the past several years, sizzling vintage jazz band The Hot Sardines has toured the world, recorded several hit albums and earned millions of YouTube views for its rollicking music videos.