WMQT Q 107 In Jim's Opinion
MONDAY, 3/22:
Wow.
That’s pretty much all I can say after taking part in the Adam Whittington song & dance spectacular at Kaufman Auditorium Friday night. I think everyone who went to the show walked away somewhat awed by what they saw. Perhaps my niece Mallory summed it up best in a text message she sent me after the show—
“THAT WAS SOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!! OMG I LOVE HIM!!!!!!!”
Of course, Mallory is 12, and somewhat prone to hyperbole, but you get the idea. I’ve spoken with several people about Friday, and the common thread of their comments seems to be along the lines of “I’ve never seen anything like that at Kaufman before.”
And you know what? I think they’re right. Between the light show and the dancers and the video screens and everything else, this was not your typical “Hey gang, let’s put on a show” show; no, this was something that you might experience if you went to see somebody like Justin Timberlake or Usher.
This was impressive.
And what amazes me the most is that the entire show was put together by Adam and his extended family. I was backstage the whole time, and I saw the amount of effort that everyone put into it. From Adam’s mom producing the show to his dad running the smoke machine to his uncle passing out programs, this truly was a family affair. But it was a very polished and highly professional family affair; that gang could probably move to Vegas and produce the next Cirque de Soleil show if they wanted to.
That’s how smoothly it seemed to run, at least from my point of view.
I think I’ve written in here before how polished and professional Adam is. In all the times I’ve dealt with him, I’ve been highly impressed with the way in which he carried himself. He sure doesn’t seem like he’s 18. And seeing as how he only wrote most of the songs in the show, put together the running order, wrote the stage directions, got everything else organized, and, well, was the star of the whole deal, I have no doubt that in a few years we’ll ALL be saying this—
“I remember when I saw him before he became a mega-star”.
That’s what I truly think. And that’s why my reaction was a big “Wow” when I saw what they put together. Great job, everyone!
Adam Whittington: Press
MARQUETTE TV 6 NEWS By Noël McLaren
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 5:07 a.m.
Read more: Local, Entertainment, Adam Whittington, NMU Dance Team, Marquette Senior High School Dance Team, AJ Karvonen, Matt Schneider, Kaufman Auditorium. Becky Cairati, Meagan Castro Lopez.MARQUETTE -- Adam Whittington's music has made him a local sensation, but the Ishpeming resident remains humble. He wants to share his success with other local artists.
"I talked to my management team and I was like you know, I really think it would be cool to get the community involved," said Whittington. "I mean there's a lot of talented people here that just need to be seen."
He enlisted the NMU and Marquette senior high school dance teams as his back up dancers for his March 19th concert at the Kaufman Auditorium.
Although they had to extend their season two extra weeks to rehearse for the show, MHS dancers are grateful for the opportunity to perform somplace other than an athletic field.
"Performing on a stage you get the lights, you get the audience, sitting out there watching you, it's just so much more energy and just a lot more fun," said MSHS dancer Meagan Castro-Lopez
Whittington also gave close friend and former classmate Becky Cairati the opportunity to open for him.
"When he asked me, I was so excited but a little nervous because I knew it was going to be a lot bigger than anything I have done before," she said.
A portion of Whittington's concert merchandize sales will go towards funds for the children of AJ Karvonen and Matt Schneider, two Negaunee residents who died tragically last fall.
The performers are spending the days leading up to the show rehearsing together at Superior Dance Studio in Marquette.
Tickets are on sale before the concert at the Kaufman auditorium. They cost $10 for adults, $7 for students. A $2 fee will be added at the door.
THE MINING JOURNAL By RENEE PRUSI Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: February 27, 2010
ISHPEMING - Adam Whittington's concert March 19 at Kaufman Auditorium will be much more than just the young singer-songwriter performing his original tunes.
That music, of course, will be centerpiece of the evening, but will be just part of the event.
"It's going to be more than the music," Whittington said. "We want to make it a visual experience as well. So we have been working on the lighting production and the stage design.
"We want to get all the senses involved."
Much has been going on of late for Ishpeming resident Whittington, 18. Not only is his single "To You" getting airplay on central Upper Peninsula radio stations, it has climbed to the No. 1 spot on theradiocafe.com's list of most requested songs.
Whittington found out he'd grabbed the No. 1 spot during an interview with the syndicated radio show.
"At the end of the (telephone) interview, they asked me if I wanted an update on where my song was," Whittington said as "To You" had been No. 2 on the countdown for several previous weeks. "When they told me I had made it to No. 1, I was so excited. I had to maintain my cool."
His mother, Teresa, added: "It really is so exciting. It's at the end of the program if anyone wants to listen to it."
The interview can be found at www.theradiocafe.com/detroit.htm. Click on the show for Feb. 22.
Whittington also reached out to local fans by volunteering to be part of last weekend's Kaleidoscope Hands-On Learning Festival at the Superior Dome in Marquette.
"There were lots of kids coming up, enjoying the booth," Whittington said. "I like helping in the community. I like doing things that might influence kids positively.
"It was so much fun. Becky, Ethan and I had such a good time. We played singing games with the kids and after a while did a bit of a concert for the kids."
Becky Cariati and Ethan Bott are Whittington's friends. Both will be performing at the March 19 Kaufman concert.
Cariati, who's a Northern Michigan University student, will be an opening act, will perform during Whittington's intermission and will sing three duets with Adam.
Bott, who is only 13, will be another opening act, performing some of his original music.
"Ethan opened for Matt Sia and for Chasin' Steel before," Whittington said. "He's very talented and he's already writing songs at 13.
"Becky and I met when we were in 'High School Musical' a couple of years ago. We had the lead parts and hit it off really well," he said. "I have so much fun working with her. She's really really talented."
To add to the concert experience, both the Marquette Senior High School and NMU dance teams will be performing with Adam.
"They'll be doing choreographed dances to my music," he said. "They have been working really hard in practice. They have great talent."
Whittington has been working with the MSHS troupe on Sundays in recent weeks and just started to work with the NMU dancers.
Ishpeming's Phelps School Select Choir also will perform some pop songs at the Kaufman event.
Whittington's fans will hear much of the music from his CD, "Adam Whittington: To You," but will be treated to some tunes as well.
"I have two brand new songs I wrote for the CD I am working on," Whittington said. "They are upbeat pop and I am really proud of them."
NMU's Public Relations Student Society of America has become involved in the Kaufman event as well.
"They have come along and helped with some of the publicity," Teresa Whittington said. "They have been a real asset for us."
Adam's uncle, Ryan Gleason, continues to do his nephew's promotional efforts while mom Teresa is Adam's manager.
"I could never do any of this without their support," Whittington said. "They have been great. I have wonderful family and friends. And I thank God for his blessings."
Teresa Whittington said they are hoping for a good crowd, with tickets already being sold to fans downstate and in Wisconsin.
For ticket information, call 225-4302, ext. 110, or 869-5267.
Renee Prusi can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Her e-mail address is rprusi@miningjournal.net.
Fact Box
In concert
n Adam Whittington in Concert featuring Becky Cairati and Ethan Bott also Phelps School Select Choir and the dance teams from Marquette Senior High School and Northern Michigan University
n 7 p.m. Friday, March 19 at Kaufman Auditorium, Marquette
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students ($2 more at the door)
n Ticket outlets:
Kaufman Auditorium
Marquette Arts and Culture Center
Jim's Music
Maki's Mini Mart
Koski's Korner
For information, call 225-4302, ext. 110, or 869-5267
n Web sites:
www.adamwhittington.com
www.myspace.com/adamwhittingtonmusic
www.facebook.com/pages/adam-whittington/62726107023
www.twitter.com/adamwhittington
INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER EWING OF THE RADIO CAFE
Link to interview: http://www.theradiocafe.com/detroit.htm
http://www.theradiocafe.com/wdvd12.mp3
(interview is closer to the end of the program)
Show # 12 February 22, 2010
Omni, The Effort, Lauren Strahm, interview with Brent James, AG Silver, Casey Stratton,
Blue Stahli, Susan Calloway, Neverending White Lights, Steppin In It,
Brenden Stark, Jake Neimi, interview w/ Adam Whittington
