David Foster Brings Seal, Charice and More Stars to His Second 'Hit Man' Concert Special

By David Chiu Posted Feb 24th 2011 01:30PM

When you are as successful in the music business as Grammy-winning composer and producer David Foster, you pretty much have the clout to rope in big musical stars for your event. That was the case a few years ago for Foster when he put on 'Hit Man: David Foster and Friends,' a concert special that featured artists such as Celine Dion, Josh Groban and Peter Cetera whose hit songs were composed, produced and/or performed by Foster.

Now Foster is back with 'Hit Man Returns,' a new special that will air March 1 on PBS and features an all-star group of performers including Earth, Wind and Fire, Martina McBride, Seal, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Donna Summer, Kenny Loggins, Michael Bolton and Ne-Yo.

As Foster tells PopEater, the success of the first 'Hit Man' caught him off-guard. "I think it aired 7,800 times," he says. "It proved to be such a big fundraiser for PBS, and it ran for over a two-year period. There were lots of singers and artists that I had worked with in my career that were not available on that first show. There was really enough there to make a second show."

The concert, which was taped last year at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay, also showcased emerging artists such as singer Charice, who appeared on 'Glee.' Foster recalls getting phone calls about Charice from his sister Jaymes and Perry Watts-Russell of Capitol Records. "They both said, 'You've got to see this video,'" says Foster, "and I think Charice was maybe 13 at the time. It kind of snowballed, and I thought 'Loved it.' She was coming to do the the 'Ellen' show. Oprah [Winfrey] got a hold of it and then called me. Oprah has been so good to her, and now she's on 'Glee,' as it should be."

Watch Charice and David Foster Perform 'All by Myself' on 'Hit Man Returns'
Another young artist featured on the special is child singer Jackie Evancho. When asked about the first time he heard Evancho, Foster -- who is currently producing her album -- says that it defies all logic. "It's like an adult on the microphone," he claims. "The depth of how she understands the concept of what she is supposed to be doing is just amazing. When she sings to the music, she literally glues herself to the music. This is a child that will have a major, major career."

Aside from producing Evancho's album, Foster has other things on his plate at the moment. In addition to touring, he's producing Michael Bublé's Christmas album, collaborating on Seal's upcoming sequel to his 'Soul' record and composing for a Broadway musical about Betty Boop. Foster is also currently working on a project for his foundation, which assists families whose children need organ transplants.

Watch Seal and David Foster Perform 'Secret' on 'Hit Man Returns'
"We just recently hooked up with the Indy 500 and Chevrolet," he says, "and we are getting the pace car from the 100th anniversary of Indy to auction off for our foundation. Right before they say 'Gentleman, start your engines,' we have that four-minute slot, [so] I will put together something extraordinary musically for those four minutes."

As for the upcoming special, Foster tells a story that demonstrates the wide popularity of the first 'Hit Man' special. "I was walking through Home Depot," he says, "and this biker guy comes up to me -- and I said, 'No, you're not going to rob me, not right here in Home Depot.' He goes, 'Dude, you're the hit man.' He called [over] this biker chick [and said], 'I told you it's the hit man.' Again, you never know who you're reaching. The power of television is incredible. He's obviously a guy that likes my music."

Tags: celine dion, CelineDion, charice, david foster, David Foster and Friends, DavidFoster, DavidFosterAndFriends, Jackie Evancho, JackieEvancho, seal

Comments

(16)

Thursday 24 February

By Dan

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Yeah! went to that concert. That little Charice girl has some mad pipes, what a talent for such a young age. But the truth is, on the contrary to Jackie Evancho, David Foster didn't want to take Charice under his wings at the beginning, he was not convinced until "the Oprah" insisted. And now she is part of his repertoire.

Sunday 27 February

By Streetcred

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Actually, DFoster taking on Charice was NEVER in question. The only question then was the 'TIMING'. Oprah insisted that DFoster start 'immediately' with Charice while DF wanted a more 'deliberate' approach in developing the kid, waiting 'til Charice was around 18-21 years old before throwing her into the proverbial fire. Somehow, DFoster decided to listen to 'O' and lo & behold, this 16 year old girl blew even him and everyone away during his first televised DF & Friends Special on PBS. After that experience, DFoster realized ONCE & FOR ALL that Charice was too SPECIAL to wait on, and admitted that Oprah was right in all along. FROM THEN ON UP TO THIS DAY, David Foster has been a full-time mentor to Charice and even became her godfather. How much does DFoster regard this young girl's talent? Consider this: Charice has been the MAIN FINALE ACT and headliner for every DFoster & Friends concert tour done in America and in Asia -- that, despite having such veteran big guns in his line-up, such as Natalie Cole, Deborah Cox, Peter Cetera, Rubben Studdard, Earth, Wind & Fire, and many more.

Sunday 06 March

By Barbra

The best concert ever,would love to know how to find where and when these concerts are.....and if tickets are impossible to get.....We discovered his tv specials about a year ago.If you have any info would appreciate it...Thanks

By Jim Apelar

That was pretty good they smooth out the mistake of David not informing Charice that he took out a few bars at the end. It came out very good! Good job Charice!

By Suncatcher

Thrilled to hear David Foster has taken on Jackie Evancho! She is AMAZING - and so is he! Great pairing!

Tuesday 01 March

By johnw

Best video of Charice performing since her first appearance @ Mandalay Bay. How she has matured since then and will continue to get better.

Friday 25 February

By Watts

I will definitely be watching this PBS special of the Hit Man David Foster & Charice. I can't wait for the Blu-ray I ordered to arrive in the mail. This Charice girl is just a phenom.

By Joyce

@Dan What are you talking about. Jackie E. is not even a David Foster talent. Just because she was invited in this David Foster and Friend's concert? Yeah, check out all of the David and Foster concerts, including all of the live concerts. Check how he has a young talent like Jackie invited (just like Josh Page), he just wants to showcase young talents too. Now, Charice he has really taken under his wing - including produce an album, including her in all the David F. and Friends concerts (she was the headline and final performer of the 10 city David Foster and Friends tour), he was even checking up on her on the Glee set. Before Oprah, he already met her and even invited her on his private place to watch Celine Dion's final concert in Vegas. Oprah came later and just confirmed with him, her desire to help this talented girl in her career. Gosh, please don't be saying stuff here, when you don't know the real story.

Thursday 07 April

By khatman

@Joyce Actually it was before Ellen that David took Charice to see Celine Dion. During this period he tested her singing ability and was showing her off as "his newest baby".

By Bebe4245

@Dan Convinced by Oprah? And Jackie Evancho, was just invited as a young talent showcase in this show. While Charice, has been the headliner and final performer in the 10 city David Foster and Friends tour. And if you check has been the only performer consistently in all the David Foster and Friends show. And he didn't want to take her under his wing? Research the real story Dan! And btw, Jackie Evancho is just a guest performer, okay? She is not under David Foster's wings!

Wednesday 20 July

@Bebe4245 While Jackie Evancho does not appear as often as Charice does with DFF, both Jackie and Charice have the same manager, Marc Johnston.

Saturday 26 February

By Thom Norman

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My birthday present for my my mother last year (75th) were an early dinner and the DFF concert at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. It was pouring that night, but my mother,an avid fan of Charice- this incredibly talented girl, did not mind this spectacularly harsh weather condition. It was my first time driving to Prudential, and I had difficulty locating the reserved indoor parking lot that came with the cost of the tickets. Finally, we found our way into the concert arena. We were seated to the left side of the stage (about 30 degrees) on the 8th level from the ground. We got good seats, and my mom was so pleased that we had a very clear view of the performers and the entire stage. Everyone performed well, but Charice pitch perfect vocals (as if listening to a fully edited recording) marked a solid line that placed her above the rest. I saw David's endearing reactions whenever Charice belted out a perfect beat, as if that was the first time he had worked with Charice. It was evident that David's admiration for Charice was up the pedestal. His great songs have been reborne, and in my opinion way better from the original versions, by the superbly gifted, Charice. My mother and I enjoyed the show. Charice received the most thunderous applause and rousing standing ovations after all her renditions. I saw people singing with her, including David Foster himself; and when she sang "I Will Survive," nearly everyone was dancing and cheering. We did not have the chance to use our meeting the stars bands. My mother's enthusiasm to have an autograph from Charice was halted by her health impediments. Yesterday, my mother hinted what her present would be on my birthday- April 12. This is the reason I am sharing our DFF experience. What was funny was her telling me that she had already pre-ordered it. Well, I don't think it would be a surprise for me as she continued giving me clues. I learned that I'd receive it sometime in March. Is it the "Hitman Returns" from QVC, which has a bonus song from Charice? Indeed, she told me that she got it from QVC. My mother is funny, but I agree with her that Charice is not just a singer nor just a mere performer, she gives music a soul and a spell. Charice can place you in nirvana or in one of Foster's nostalgic and climactic life's plot points. She makes you feel the song. My mom is so up-to-date about anything Charice. I know for a fact that my mother is not into RNB songs. That changed after Oprah brought her into our living room, and that is only true for Charice's songs. Let me end this with a one word description of Charice- PERFECT!

By Jimmie Lee

I'm all about DoNNa SuMMer. Charice is good, but I don't own any of her songs except "Note From God". It's the only song I've heard by her that made me want to buy it. Give me DoNNa SuMMer any day, baby! She's so vocally versatile. Like a singing actress.

@Jimmie Lee: Donna Summer was and still is a great singer. Before she was "discovered" Charice did MacArthur Park @ age 14 Y/o using a neighbor's karaoke machine. Here's the youtube link:

?v=CMyDR31n25Q

Sorry! It's "Note To God":)

@Bebe4245 Jackie Evancho may not be under David Foster's wing but both Jackie and Charice have the same manager. His name is Marc Johnston.

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