During the rehearsal for the 1999 Grammy Awards, a young and unknown singer bravely took to the stage to perform alongside Celine Dion. This talented teenager, Josh Groban, was only 17 years old at the time and was studying at a state high school in Los Angeles, California, where he received a comprehensive arts education.
The previous year, Groban had made contact with David Foster, a Grammy-winning Canadian music executive who had worked with renowned artists like Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand.
Foster had co-written the widely popular classical crossover song “The Prayer,” which was famously performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli. It was Foster who reached out to Groban, informing him that Bocelli couldn’t make it to the Grammy rehearsal and urgently needed a replacement.
Naturally, Groban felt nervous about the opportunity. Although he had previously worked with Foster as a rehearsal singer, performing at the Grammys alongside Celine Dion and filling in for one of the world’s most famous tenors was an entirely different experience.
Despite his apprehension, Groban chose to seize the moment and performed with remarkable confidence and skill. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his journey to becoming a household name in the music industry.
“This young man comes on stage, almost going backwards, he was so scared,” Dion told media afterwards. “So I see this young kid and I say, do you know this song?