David Foster and Katherine McPhee at Luther Burbank Center

David Foster is a musical genius known for composing, producing and arranging music for a multitude of A list recording artists you probably didn't realize. He's earned 47 Grammy noms. 3 Oscar noms. and sold over 4 billion albums. Katherine McPhee is a recording artist who first rose to fame on American Idol as the runner up. She's starred on Broadway and television series. For those unaware, Foster and McPhee are married and have a young son, Ronny. McPhee is Foster's fifth wife and Renny, his first son. He has 5 daughters from previous marriages. These tidbits aside, Foster sauntered on stage after a brief video of illustrious superstars he has collaborated with including Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Earth, Wind & Fire*, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban to name a few. After playing a quick medley of songs on a Yamaha concert piano he simply announced, "Ladies & Gentlerewmen, Katherine McPhee". She  came onto the stage wearing a shimmery gold gown with her long brown locks, loose down her back. She came out singing "Cry me a River". The subject of their marriage became a flirtatious banter between them.  Their 30 year age difference, Foster joked "is hard for Katherine to keep up with me." Katherine said "We first met 20 years ago when I was a contestant on American Idol and sang "I Have Nothing". Simon told me never to sing that song again." Foster pronounced Simon, "a dick. He got that one wrong." Katherine redeemed herself with her rendition and her beautiful, velvety voice.  Accompanying the pair on stage were John Robinson regarded as the most recorded drummers in history and Peter Cetera on bass ("Chicago" band member and award winning arranger). The evening was filled with Foster's crowd pleasing music and deserved hubris. This was a concert that was a hit from start to finish. In-between Foster asked for singers from the audience who think they sing better than Celine and Groban, "You don't. You've just heard your friends and family tell you that." However, Carlos from the audience sang a Bocelli operetta hit that was stupefying. Foster had to qualify that Carlos was not a plant but "He was great with the song I wrote, not Andrea.) An added bonus was acclaimed American tenor, Daniel Emmett, who sang Groban's hit, "You Raise Me Up," arranged for Groban by Foster. Emmett sounded very much like Groban. Foster quipped, "Don't get excited. You're not getting Josh at the prices you {the audience} paid," The price I paid was $100/seat in mid-orchestra which is on the high end for LBT but an amazing bargain for an evening of entertainment from a musical genius and his talented wife, During the finale, McPhee danced in the aisle with audience members including a man in a wheelchair, a 10 year old boy and back on stage with their son. This was Foster and McPhee's first time performing in Santa Rosa and I certainly hope not their last. (Hopefully, their collaboration will be an everlasting love** for both.) 

* ("After the Love is Gone" wrriten/arranged D Foster)

** (arranged by D Foster)