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Donald Braswell and Eli Mattson to Perform at Carnegie Hall with Tim Janis

You might remember that we posted about Jackie Evancho choosing NOT to sing at Carnegie Hall with Tim Janis. Well, I just found out today that America’s Got Talent will still have two representatives from the show at Carnegie Hall to perform on the Tim Janis Christmas Special on December 2nd. It’s not Jackie, but Donald Braswell and Eli Mattson.

Congrats Donald and Eli and best of luck!

Here’s the full details of the performance:
Little Sisters of the Poor – Thursday December 2nd
Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage
The Tim Janis Singers – 200 voices – and the 94 piece Tim Janis Youth Symphony Orchestra
400 musicians in this concert with special guests Donald Braswell, Sarah Darling, Emily Bear, Eli Mattson, Jim Cole, Chandler and Ryan Lutz
Tickets on sale at the Carnegie Hall Box Office October 2, 2010

November 24, 2010 I Written By

Opera on America’s Got Talent

We’ve had a number of VERY lively discussions in the comments of previous posts about the Opera that’s being sung on America’s Got Talent. The most famous one being winner Neal E. Boyd, but also joining the discussion is Donald Braswell and last season’s Barbara Padilla.

The discussion really centers around how good the opera singers are that sing on America’s Got Talent. Many reasonably say that if they had ‘real’ opera talent they’d be singing in other places. The discussion also usually leads to pop opera versus traditional opera.

One of those opera fans pointed out to me that there will be a documentary called “The Audition” on PBS. The movie is about the semi finals and finals of the Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions – the most prestigious professional opera competition in North America. In Northern Westchester, NY (Cablevision) it’ll be on PBS on Jan 20th at 9pm.

Seeing this type of hard core opera competition might be a way for people to become more educated on the quality of the opera singers that are trying out for places like the Met. I’ll be keeping an eye out for this. It won’t have the same entertainment value as something like America’s Got Talent I’m sure, but it will have much more educational value. I’ll be keeping an eye out for it myself.

January 8, 2010 I Written By

Donald Braswell to Perform at Carnegie Hall

I just got an email from a fan of Donald Braswell saying that Donald will be performing in Carnegie Hall on November 27, 2009 at 8:00 PM. He will be appearing along with Tim Janis, who is an accomplished musician. This is very cool. Carnegie Hall is an epic place and I’m really happy for Donald.

Word has it that Donald’s second CD will be out in December. You can buy Donald Braswell’s First CD on Amazon.

November 4, 2009 I Written By

Donald Braswell Back in Las Vegas and Texas

One of my readers and a faithful Donald Braswell fan sent me some good information on Donald Braswell’s schedule. She told me that Donald will be appearing in Vegas on May 19, 20, 21 and 22, at 8:00pm as a guest artist on Terry Fator’s show at the Mirage (read about Terry Fator’s grand opening at the Mirage). That should be a pretty cool combination night.

I’m hoping that I can possibly get some tickets to she show so that I can give everyone a full update about Donald Braswell and Terry Fator. I may even see if they’ll be available for an interview or something. We’ll see what we can do. Either way, I’m excited to see them in Las Vegas.

Donald will also be performing at the “Symphony of the Hills” Concert in, Kerrville, TX. It will be on Jun 27, 2009 at. 7:30pm . (There may also be a 2:30 concert in the afternoon.)

Donald will be performing a Pops concert with the Symphony of the Hills (Kerrville’s 70 piece symphony orchestra) at the beautiful Cailloux Theater. Kerrville is about 60 miles north west of SA in a
lovely hill country setting. This is a benefit concert with proceeds going to scholarships for students at Schreiner University.

On May 29, Donald will also be performing in a televised show with other contestants from Americas Got Talent. The show will be airing from Los Angeles. I hope that Donald fans will send me a note when they get more details on this show.

Donald Braswell fans should also check out the Donald Braswell Fan Club Calendar and the Free Donald Braswell music on his MySpace page.

UPDATE: I got word that Donald’s performance in Las Vegas at the Mirage has been postponed. Let’s hope it gets rescheduled soon.

April 11, 2009 I Written By

Donald Braswell Update – Las Vegas Show, New Beginnings Tour and PBS Special

I figured it was about time to do an update on one of the fan favorites from America’s Got Talent: Donald Braswell.

Donald has been incredibly busy following what I’m told was a sold out concert at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Makes me really happy to see Donald as a success. I certainly took my fair share of shots at Donald during the show. What can I say? I thought he was a little disingenuous to say he hadn’t been on a professional stage before AGT. I think I also preferred Eli Mattson‘s style a little bit better. However, one thing I never argues was whether Donald Braswell had talent or not. He absolutely has talent and I’m glad that America’s embracing someone who actually entertains with talent.

Well, turns out America loves Donald more than I ever thought they would. Check out what the Las Vegas Sun said about Donald Braswell and PBS.

PBS is doing a special on Braswell. Camera crews have been following him around since his appearance on the TV show.

“They felt I was an artist who could take things to a different level, inspiring audiences as well as entertaining them,” he says.

Braswell says the special first will be seen March 15 in five East Coast states and Canada as a test.

“If that is successful I will perform at the Detroit Opera House with a full orchestra for the entire United States and Canada,” he says. “That’s an exciting pro

A PBS special is really cool. I have a feeling that Donald Braswell will be really successful on PBS. I hope someone posts it online so we can all enjoy Donald on PBS.

Also, Donald Braswell will be on the New Beginnings Tour. Only one tour date has been announced for Donald, but I’m sure that more will be posted on Ticketmaster as they announce new locations. Here’s the first stop of the New Beginnings Tour:

Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Asheville, N.C: Mar 21st 8pm, address is 87 Haywood St. Prices are $23 for balcony seating and $33 for the floor seating. Tickets are available starting 10am Jan 20th on
www.ticketmaster.com and all the other shows for the New Beginnings tour will be updated as they are added.

I also want to thank all the fans at the Donald Braswell Fan club that have kept me informed about Donald. They are certainly true fans that any artist would be proud to have. Hopefully in the future they’ll share even more information about what’s happening with the Donald. I’m really hoping he returns to Las Vegas so I can see him this time.

March 2, 2009 I Written By

Guessing the Surprise Guest Appearances in Las Vegas

America’s Got Talent announced that there would be special guest performers at the America’s Got Talent Las Vegas show. The question is who might those guest performers be. Here’s my projections:

Terry Fator – Just makes since. He’s right down the street. Only question is whether he’s allowed to under his contract with mirage
Bianca Ryan – She’s performing in Las Vegas already too. She’s be a crowd favorite to see again and could nearly walk over from the V theater.

I’d really enjoy seeing any of the trio Cas Haley, Julienne Irwin or Butterscotch. They’re all still performing too.

I’d also not be surprised at all if an act like the Quick Change artists or the dog routine (can’t remember his name, but he has a show in Vegas now too) as a nice little opening act or an act to give the winner of America’s Got Talent a break.

Outside of people from America’s Got Talent, how cool would it be if Elton John stopped by if Eli Mattson was the winner? What about Andrea Bocelli with Neal Boyd, Gladys Knight (who’s from Las Vegas too) with Queen Emily or Josh Groban with Donald Braswell. Any of an array of rappers could join Nuttin’ But Stringz and be quite the event.

Any other acts you’d like to see?

Go and Buy Your Tickets to the show today!

October 1, 2008 I Written By

My Projected America’s Got Talent Winner

I’ve been following the show quite religiously since I have this America’s Got Talent Blog and I am thoroughly entertained by the show. So, you can imagine I have strong opinions on who I think will be the winners of America’s Got Talent. Without further ado, here’s my America’s Got Talent winner projection along with my rankings of the America’s Got Talent Top 5.

Eli Mattson
Nuttin’ But Stringz
Donald Braswell II
Neal E. Boyd
Queen Emily

At the end of the day, none of these performers should feel bad since they are all great. However, this is a popularity contest and I personally think that Eli Mattson is the most popular.

Let’s see your rankings of the America’s Got Talent top 5.

September 27, 2008 I Written By

Donald Braswell Review – America’s Got Talent Top 5

One thing is for certain about Donald Braswell, there are a TON of American’s that love him. This blog has seen the incredibly passionate fans that love Donald Braswell. He deserved to be back on the show and probably never should have been sent off. I chalk it up to the producers not wanting as many pure singing acts in the top 40. That left Donald Braswell the odd man out.

Of course, I won’t diminish my feelings for Donald Braswell even if he did kick out the most amazing act on this season of America’s Got Talent: the Russian Bar Trio. I’ll be really sad if I never get the chance to see the Russian Bar Trio perform again. The finale of America’s Got Talent or possibly in the next season of America’s Got Talent, but I digress.

You’d be an idiot to argue that Donald Braswell doesn’t have a good voice. He wouldn’t have gone to Juilliard with a bad voice. In fact, he has a very good voice. Personally I just don’t have any solid connection with him. He’s a gentleman, but he never connected to me. I’m also solidly annoyed by the way he tilts his head back as if he’s staring into the sky at something that we’re missing. If I close my eyes, I enjoy Donald’s performances quite well. I guess it’s just his stage presence which doesn’t say winner or Las Vegas to me.

I think I really should like Donald Braswell the way he turned around that audience in the first performance. That was something else to watch and I was impressed by that. However, somewhere along the way I didn’t enjoy him nearly as much. Sometimes being a great guy with a great voice doesn’t always translate to a great entertainer. Personally, I use entertainer for my America’s Got Talent judging criteria and that’s why I don’t think Donald Braswell will win it all.

Now I’m going to go and prepare for all the hate mail I’ll get from the Donald Braswell fan club.

September 26, 2008 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Finals Performance Show

I’m still working to find all of the videos from tonight’s America’s Got Talent finals performance show. I think we can all agree that every person on the show tonight has talent. The question is which one has more talent and deserves $1 million. Take a look and let me know who you like the best. I’ll be posting a new poll soon along with each of the videos as I’m able to find them.

Queen Emily Sang “One Moment in Time” by Whitney Houston Whitney Houston - Whitney - The Greatest Hits - One Moment In Time

Eli Mattson Sang “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins Phil Collins - Serious Hits...Live! - Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Live)

Donald Braswell Sang “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban Josh Groban - Closer - You Raise Me Up

Neal Boyd Sang “Nessun dorma” from the opera Turandot Luciano Pavarotti - Campioni del Mondo! - Nessun Dorma!

Nuttin’ But Stringz Top 5: Performed an original piece (check out Nuttin’ But Stringz’s album)

September 25, 2008 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Finals Music

The America’s Got Talent Top 5 was chock full of singers and musicians so of course that means the America’s Got Talent finals was chock full of some great music. Here’s the list of music performed on tonight’s America’s Got Talent finals:

Donald Braswell II Top 5: Sang “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban again, this time with choral
Josh Groban - Closer - You Raise Me Up

Neal E. Boyd Top 5: Sang “Nessun dorma” from the opera Turandot again
Luciano Pavarotti - Campioni del Mondo! - Nessun Dorma!

Queen Emily Top 5: Sang “One Moment in Time” as performed by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston - Whitney - The Greatest Hits - One Moment In Time

Nuttin’ But Stringz Top 5: Performed an original piece (their first-ever composition).
(check out Nuttin’ But Stringz music from iTunes)

Eli Mattson Top 5: Sang “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins.
Phil Collins - Serious Hits...Live! - Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Live)

Here’s a link to all the music from America’s Got Talent.

I Written By