Texas Tenors headline UHCL president's investiture concert to raise scholarship funds
The Texas Tenors, acclaimed for their success as finalists of “America’s Got Talent” in 2009, as well as for their outstanding classical crossover vocals, will perform at a fundraising concert at University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theater Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Their performance will be the headline event in the investiture of UH-Clear Lake’s sixth president, Richard Walker. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales are in support of his new initiative, the President’s Excellence Scholarship Fund, which aims to help remove financial barriers for all students.
The classically trained, vocally versatile trio with deep Texas roots is made up of JC Fisher, Marcus Collins and John Hagen. They are the most successful music group in the history of “America’s Got Talent” and have released four studio albums, hosted two PBS specials, four DVDs and a children’s book that have earned international recognition, including three Emmy Awards.
“We are so honored to be part of this,” Collins said. “We love to be part of events like this, so we can help bring awareness to the students, talk about the scholarship fund, and help further the initiative.”
Collins said that especially since the event was a fundraiser, the Tenors hoped to pack the house.
“The concert will be really fun, with everything from country to classical incorporated into new material,” he said. “We’ve got some classic rock—Queen and Aerosmith, as well as some Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ mixed in with some Italian lyrics with our three-part harmonies. There are definitely some love songs in the show, so bring your sweetheart or your significant other.”
With a combination of country, classical, Broadway, pop and classic rock, Collins said that the show would appeal to everyone.
“We always say, anyone from age 3 to 103 will love our show,” he said. “We love to get out and engage with the audience the whole show—there’s a part in the second half when I come out and sing and dance with people in the crowd. I’m so glad we are able to get that back in the show after the (COVID) separation, because that’s my favorite part.”
Collins said the Tenors knew of UHCL’s history and partnerships with NASA Johnson Space Center.
“I really think our show’s opening is tailor made for UHCL,” he said. “We have done a space-themed opening to Queen’s ‘The Show Must Go On’ for (Apollo 7 Astronaut) Walter Cunningham’s birthday for some years,” he said. “We were so honored to play for him, we created an entire show opening in honor of the space program and astronauts.”
For more information about the Bayou Theater, and to purchase tickets to the Texas Tenors’ concert, go online.