Joanne N. Bailey-Boorsma | MLive.com – When J.C. Fisher, Marcus Collins and John Hagen decided to audition for “America’s Got Talent,” it was pretty much a “got nothing to lose” opportunity.
Fisher and Hagen were working construction and Collins was doing odd jobs, all of which was in support of their passion of being performers. So the trio, with very different tastes in music – Fisher, country; Collins, pop; and Hagen, opera – sent in their tape as The Texas Tenors. They made the cut, auditioned for the judges and ended up in the top four finalists of the television show’s fourth season.
But that wasn’t the end of the tale. Since 2009, the trio has performed more than 700 shows in 20 countries, including extended runs in Branson, Missouri; their first album, “Classical Sound,” was the first independent album to be number one on both the country and classical charts; their second album, “You Should Dream,” has been in the top ten of the Classical Crossover Chart for more than 45 weeks straight; the Christmas album, “O Night Divine,” landing on the Classical Crossover Chart; and the PBS special, “You Should Dream,” won three Emmy Awards.
“It has all been pretty surreal,” said Collins during a phone interview. “It is pretty amazing considering that we have been able to do this all on our own.”
The Texas Tenors, who are scheduled to come to Van Singel Fine Arts Center this month, are independent artists with no contract with any major label. And even though they didn’t take the top spot in “America’s Got Talent”– for the record, neither did One Direction on the British “X Factor” – The Texas Tenor’s popularity has continued to grow.
“I do believe it is because we continue to provide a good, uplifting, positive message,” Collins said. “Being independent has allowed us to continue to do that; to follow the artistic license we want and provide the music that inspires people to dream their dream.”
The upcoming Van Singel concert will feature a mixture of standards, classical, gospel and pop, representing the trio’s background. “We are in the audience, singing from the crowd,” Collins said, adding that afterwards, the three enjoy spending time with audience members, signing CDs and talking about the music.
The Texas Tenors perform Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Van Singel Fine Arts Center, 8500 Burlingame Ave. SW, Byron Center. Tickets are $39.50. Visit call 878-6800.
The Texas Tenors
Van Singel Fine Arts Center
8500 Burlingame Ave. SW
7 p.m. Jan. 18
$39.50
616-878-6800
