-April 26–27: Country Hits: Songs from Nashville features works by superstar country music artists and the Grand Ole Opry
-April 28: Back to the ‘80s features hit songs of the decade including "Time After Time," "Material Girl," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Footloose," "Addicted to Love," and more
-Tickets on sale now at dso.org
Detroit, (April 8, 2024) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will continue its PNC Pops Series with two genre-bending programs at Orchestra Hall: Country Hits: Songs from Nashville (April 26–27) and Back to the ‘80s (April 28), both conducted by DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. Taking place on the same weekend that Detroit hosts the NFL Draft, the programs showcase the wide breadth of music performances audiences can enjoy in Detroit.
On April 26 and 27, Country Hits: Songs from Nashville features country hits by artists including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, and more performed by vocalists Grace Leer and Rick Brantley. Other artists featured on the program include Andrew Sovine (pedal steel), Ross McReynolds (drums), Bryan Dawley (bass guitar), and Dean Berner (guitar).
On April 28, Back to the ‘80s features hit songs of the '80s including "Time After Time," "Material Girl," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Footloose," "Addicted to Love," and more performed by vocalists Brie Cassil, Colin Smith, and Paul Loren.
Country Hits: Songs from Nashville will take place on Friday, April 26 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. at Orchestra Hall.
Back to the ‘80s will take place on Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m. at Orchestra Hall.
Tickets for these performances start at $24 and can be purchased at dso.org or by calling the Box Office at 313.576.5111, open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank.
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COUNTRY HITS: SONGS FROM NASHVILLE
PNC Pops Series
Friday, April 26 at 10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Grace Leer, vocals
Rick Brantley, vocals and bandleader
Andrew Sovine, pedal steel
Ross McReynolds, drums
Bryan Dawley, bass guitar
Dean Berner, guitar
Like a Nashville recording session brought to life, experience a who’s who of the Grand Ole Opry, featuring the songs of Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, and more. Watch out for spontaneous line dancing!
BACK TO THE ‘80S
PNC Pops Series
Sunday, April 28 at 3 p.m.
Orchestra Hall
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Brie Cassil, vocals
Colin Smith, vocals
Paul Loren, vocals
Oscar Rodriguez, guitar
Jacob Navarro, drums
It’s The Power of Love—and superstar vocalists with the DSO. Break out the hairspray and Members Only jackets for the #1 hits of the '80s, including "Time After Time," "Material Girl," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Footloose," "Addicted to Love," and more. This is gonna be totally rad!
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About Jeff Tyzik
Grammy Award-winner Jeff Tyzik is one of America’s most innovative and sought-after pops conductors. Tyzik is recognized for his brilliant arrangements, original programming, and engaging rapport with audiences of all ages. In addition to his role as Principal Pops Conductor of the DSO, Tyzik holds The Dot and Paul Mason Principal Pops Conductor’s Podium at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and serves as principal pops conductor of the Oregon Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic—a post he has held for 23 seasons.
Frequently invited as a guest conductor, Tyzik has appeared with the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Milwaukee Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. In May 2007, the Harmonia Mundi label released his recording of works by Gershwin with pianist Jon Nakamatsu and the RPO, which stayed in the Top 10 on the Billboard classical chart for over three months. Alex Ross of the New Yorker called it “one of the snappiest Gershwin discs in years.”
Committed to performing music of all genres, Tyzik has collaborated with such diverse artists as Megan Hilty, Chris Botti, Matthew Morrison, Wynonna Judd, Tony Bennett, Art Garfunkel, Dawn Upshaw, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Mark O’Connor, Doc Severinsen, and John Pizzarelli. He has created numerous original programs that include the greatest music from jazz and classical to Motown, Broadway, film, dance, Latin, and swing. Tyzik holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music. For more information, visit jefftyzik.com.
About Grace Leer
Grace Leer, a Northern California native, started singing at age 6—it was at that point she knew there was nothing else she would love more than being on stage with a microphone in her hand, making people feel something through her voice. Throughout her younger years, Leer sang anywhere and everywhere she could throughout the Bay Area, while also playing competitive soccer and excelling in her schoolwork. She earned a soccer scholarship to the University of California Berkeley to play Division 1 soccer, where she was voted Captain her senior year, and led the Bears to the NCAA tournament each of her 4 years.
After graduating from Berkeley, Leer headed to Nashville to pursue her dream of becoming a country music singer/songwriter. Holding down a full-time sales position and performing and writing songs for four years, Leer auditioned for Season 18 of American Idol. Moving through the competition quickly, it was Katy Perry’s reaction to her performance of “Natural Woman” during the Top 40 Showcase that changed her life. “She literally came out here and made everyone else look like they were on a talent show,” said Perry. Leer landed in the Top 20 and soon the Top 10.
As American Idol came to an end, Leer headed back to Nashville with a massive fan base and proceeded to sign her first record and publishing deal with 19 Entertainment/Industrial Media, a management deal with Red Light Management, Empire Publishing, and UTA. She also made her Ryman Auditorium debut in November 2020. Leer hit the songwriting room hard, sitting in rooms with Nashville's best songwriters to find what truly makes her “Grace.” Her sound incorporates her California roots and her favorite things about ‘90s country, and she released her debut EP with producers Dan Fernandez and Jared Hampton in 2021. Leer continues to hit the stage performing and writing.
In addition to her love of song writing and performing, Leer has always had a love of acting and filmmaking. She made her acting debut in the supporting actress role of Riley in the Hallmark film Time for Her to Come Home for Christmas, which premiered in November 2023 and aired throughout the holiday season. She also wrote, recorded, and released the song “Star on Top of The Tree” in addition to making several holiday playlists, which was featured in the Hallmark film. A multi-talented singer, songwriter, actress, model, and athlete, Leer heads into 2024 with more music to release another EP in the works and perhaps more filmmaking.
About Rick Brantley
A dynamic performing artist and songwriter, Rick Brantley has toured the world with artists including John Hiatt, Kiefer Sutherland, Zac Brown, and Brandy Clark, as well as headlining his own solo shows. Brantley continues to add to his impressive portfolio, producing acclaimed records with artists like Rob Baird and Justin Halpin, and directing music videos in his down time.
About Brie Cassil
Brie Cassil is a singer and actor based out of NYC and a proud member of Actors Equity. She is currently playing "Suzy" in the off-Broadway production of The Marvelous Wonderettes.
Cassil is most recognized as the resident Celine Dion with Marty Thomas Presents DIVA! During her time with DIVA she has had the privilege to perform with great talents including Christine Dwyer (Wicked, Finding Neverland Tour), Michael Longoria (Jersey Boys), Ginna Claire Mason (Wicked, Newsies), Ruby Lewis (We Will Rock You, Paramour, Jersey Boys), Michelle Dowdy (Hairspray), and many more.
Cassil is the lead singer of the rock band, REBEL.
Some of Cassil's favorite roles include Mimi (RENT), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Blast (CHIX 6), and Little Sally (Urinetown).
About Colin Smith
Irish-born vocalist Colin Smith has led a musical life as varied as it is impressive. While signed on RCA Records, Smith’s former band, MrNorth, toured with the likes of The Who, Van Halen, Sheryl Crow, and Journey. As a solo artist, he has collaborated with Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera, and performed on Saturday Night Live.
About Paul Loren
Leading a new generation of soulful crooners, Paul Loren is a singer, songwriter, producer, and consummate entertainer.
A native New Yorker, Loren was raised on the rich legacy of soul, classic pop, and the Great American Songbook, and in those musical idioms he feels most at home. Taking elements from early R&B, jazz, and Brill Building pop, he crafts his music with an ear towards timelessness.
Loren recently completed his first headline tour in 2019, having performed in the past as a support artist for The Temptations, as part of Stamford’s Summer Concert Series “Wednesday Night Live,” Brendan James, American Idolwinner Taylor Hicks, and David Bromberg. He has sold out Joe’s Pub at The Public in NYC multiple times. Loren was also selected by Jennifer Lopez to perform at her Birthday Gala in Las Vegas; was showcased at The SoHo House NYC; was a featured artist at the AAA Radio Convention in Boulder Colorado; and shared the stage with Paul Shaffer, Queen Latifah, and Christie Brinkley at Target’s launch event for New York Fashion Week.
Loren’s appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon showcased his talents for millions of viewers, with a winning song and viral video to boot. In addition, Loren landed his first television sync recently on NBC’s Mysteries of Laura, performed on the nationally syndicated radio show America Weekend with Ed Kalegi, has partnered with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, showcased at the headquarters of the world-renowned Leo Burnett Ad in Chicago, and had the unique honor of performing at the legendary STAX Museum in Memphis, Tennessee. While in Memphis, Loren had the rare opportunity to record in the world-renowned Sun Studio in the same room as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many other pioneers of rock n' roll. Loren was also a finalist in the “Unsigned Only” singer songwriter competition for 2018.
His debut single “All By Myself” was supported by radio stations Lighting100 in Nashville, SiriusXM’s The Pulse, WCOO Charleston, and KPND Spokane, among others. His follow up single, titled “I Know a Place,” premiered onHuffington Post and received rave reviews along with over 200K views in its first week.
About the DSO
The acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. Led by Music Director Jader Bignamini since 2020, the DSO makes its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, offering a performance schedule that features the PVS Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in metro area venues, as well as eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a live radio broadcast of a concert and continues today with the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall series of free webcasts.
Since its first school concerts a century ago, and particularly since the founding of the Civic Youth Ensembles in 1970, the DSO has been a national leader in bringing the benefits of music education to students, teachers, and families in Detroit and surrounding communities. The DSO remains committed to expanding its participation in the growth and well-being of Detroit through programs like its Detroit Neighborhood Initiative—cultural events co-created with community partners and residents—and Detroit Harmony, a promise to provide an instrument and instruction to any student in the city who wants to learn. With unwavering support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact lives through the power of unforgettable musical experiences.