Let It Begin

Mike recently released this new solo recording featuring his favorite songs of the Winter and Holiday Season. Mike Eldred, Let It Begin… has a perfect mix of familiar songs, not-so-familiar songs, and originals all gorgeously orchestrated and arranged by jazz-great pianist/composer/conductor/arranger Jeff Steinberg and the multi-talented instrumentalist/composer/arranger John Mock in a way that is unique and exciting. Don’t miss the breathtaking a cappella version of “Let There Be Peace On Earth” arranged by Robert Sterling or the inspirational “Hear Me” featuring Jim Brickman. Mike is also joined on the CD by a collection of stunning guest artists like Be Be Winans, Sylvia, Jonell Mosser, Marcus Hummon, Tracy Silverman, Andrea Zonn, Michelle Prentice, Robert Bailey, Vicki Hampton and Mike Reid. The end result is a “Holiday Listening Event!” This will be a new classic you will enjoy for years to come. For more information visit www.mikeeldred.com. Please be sure to drop by www.MikeEldred.com and say hello. One of America's most in-demand and beloved tenors, MIKE ELDRED’s impressive career has blossomed over the past twenty years. From a successful stint in Gospel music, a long and exciting decade as a professional studio singer, several Broadway shows and national tours, to performing with the greatest symphony orchestras across the country, Mike has become the well-rounded performer and artist that comes with vast experience. Recently, Mike completed a national tour with pianist JIM BRICKMAN. Some of the symphony orchestras that he has performed with include Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Edmonton, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Houston, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix and Seattle. In December 2006, Mike hosted the Indianapolis Symphony's record breaking concert series YULETIDE CELEBRATION, in 2007 the Baltimore Symphony's HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, and in 2008 Omaha's CHRISTMAS WITH THE SYMPHONY. Mike performed on Broadway in the final cast of LES MISERABLES where he appeared in the starring role of Jean Valjean. He starred as Tony in the Nashville Symphony's production of WEST SIDE STORY. A cast recording has been released internationally on NAXOS Records. Other Broadway shows, national tours and regional productions include THE CIVIL WAR, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, MY FAIR LADY, GODSPELL and CAMELOT. In his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, Mike has been honored with the Tennessean Actor of the Year Award, Nashville Scene's Best Musical Theatre Performer, and was nominated for the Nashville Music Awards Male Vocalist of the Year. Mike recently produced a new Holiday CD entitled “LET IT BEGIN…” and has also produced a solo recording entitled “ME”, featuring songs from his favorite roles including “BRING HIM HOME”, “MARIA”, “IF I LOVED YOU”, “I HAVE DREAMED” and “SOME ENCHANTED EVENING”. These recordings are also available at www.mikeeldred.com. What people are saying about Mike Eldred: "His amazing voice - a high-flying, full-bodied tenor, intensely romantic, alternately wrenching and joyful - was so compelling that you forgot you were in a theater, forgot everything but the sound pouring out of his throat." THE CIVIL WAR Kevin Nance, The Tennessean "Eldred impressively sang "If I Loved You," and was absolutely first-class as Billy Bigelow in his rendition of "Soliloquy" from Carousel." TRIBUTE TO RICHARD RODGERS, Illinois Philharmonic D. J. Luksetich, Chicago Star ".....But, among the highlights, Mike Eldred sings "Maria" in a nicely ardent tone." WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING, Naxos Records Billboard Magazine Best Musical Theater Performer: Mike Eldred "Not that we didn't already know it, but Eldred is the people's choice in Nashville musical theater. His fine singing as Tony in Tennessee Repertory Theatre's big production of West Side Story was matched only by his vocal work as the title character in The Rep's full-bodied staging of the Marcus Hummon musical Francis of Guernica. Mike recently released a CD too. Big year." Martin Brady, The Nashville Scene "Mike Eldred gives a soul-piercing performance...." THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Lisa DuBois, Variety Magazine "The voices are stellar. Mike Eldred (as the Husband) soars in what may be the shows loveliest, most personal song." THE CIVIL WAR Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times Mike Eldred's Tony is the best I've seen, bar none. His powerful tenor handles the score as well as it can be presented. Eldred embraces the music with an original style and understanding. His characterization is fresh and believable. If you think you've seen Tony presented every way he can be done, you need to see this production. Eldred gives a sensitive new age guy coupled with an Old World immigrant edge that makes Tony that much more endearing. "Tonight", "Something's Coming" and "Somewhere" left me breathless. WEST SIDE STORY Leo Sochocki, The City Paper, Nashville "Likewise, Mike Eldred, half of a northern husband/wife (Amy Rutberg) duo who are separated by the war, soars during "Sarah," a final paean to his wife before his death. His beautiful voice actually reminds one of the Larry Gatlin of the late 1970s, which is a compliment indeed." THE CIVIL WAR David L. Roberts, Illinois Entertainer "...singer Mike Eldred wowed the audience with the soaring ballad, "Bright November Morning," from Mr. Reid's football opera, Different Fields." IN CONCERT WITH THE CINCINNATI POPS Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer "Mike Eldred is incredible as the starry-eyed Francis. Fresh off a run with the Broadway cast and touring company production of "The Civil War," Eldred brings a marvelous voice and finely honed acting skills to the part. His portrayal is sensitively revealing and multifaceted. His idealistic young fighter is clearly etched and easily believable. His character's later transformation into a demented religious zealot is equally believable, and demonstrates a considerable acting talent. Plus, Eldred's singing voice is sweet and clear as a bell. A delightful performance." FRANCIS OF GUERNICA Bill Dorian, Nashville on Stage "....Mike Eldred stepped in to sing the part of Quasimodo in "Esmerelda," nearly stealing the show with his powerful voice." DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT Brian Q. Newcomb, St. Louis Post-Dispatch "The delusional title character, beautifully acted and gorgeously sung by Mike Eldred, becomes a kind of saint-artist so wrapped up in the trappings of sanctity that he neglects Renee (the sumptuous-voiced Natalie Toro), the Jewish woman who loves him." FRANCIS OF GUERNICA Kevin Nance, The Tennessean "Mike Eldred soared with his performance of Esmerelda.....What a voice....An amazing performance not lost on the audience, which erupted into yet another standing ovation!" DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT Rosemont Theatre Review, Chicago "The real revelation here is Mike Eldred, who plays Tony. Richard Beymer swished his way through the movie, his performance not particularly enhanced by a dubbed-in nobody vocalist. Eldred brings force and resonance to the songs, and we're reminded more firmly just how badly the film short-shrifts the character's impact in such tremendous numbers as "Something's Coming," "Maria," "Tonight," "One Hand, One Heart," and "Somewhere." WEST SIDE STORY Martin Brady, The Nashville Scene "Eldred is often electric....." FRANCIS OF GUERNICA Alan Bostick, The Tennessean ""Esmerelda," a disarming ballad from "Hunchback," attested to DeYoung's still blossoming gifts as melodist, the song's imploring phrases and plangent chords rendered all the more effective by the inspired performance of Mike Eldred (who played the title role of "Hunchback" in Nashville)." DENNIS DEYOUNG IN CONCERT Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune "Mike Eldred's Tony comes off best; singing with a more mature sound than Larry Kert, he nonetheless creates a sense of heightenend expectancy and wonder in "Something's Coming"." WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records Victor Carr, Jr., Classics Today "Mike Eldred's Tony is also excellent......" WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records Robert Cummings, ClassicalNet.com "The male principals - especially Mike Eldred - are outstanding........" WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records Rob Barnett, MusicWeb.com "Mike Eldred's Tony offers the most persuasive singing-"Something's Coming" and "Maria" are especially moving." WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records Paul Seydor, AVGuide.com "It's very well cast with an ardent and smooth-voiced Mike Eldred as Tony...." WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records James Camner, Fanfare "The two main roles are well occupied with a charming Betsi Morrison as Maria and above all a completely excellent Mike Eldred as Tony." WEST SIDE STORY RECORDING Naxos Records Der Schallplattenmann sagt Ausgabe #354, 18. http://schallplattenmann.de "Mike Eldred, a Broadway singer whose many roles include Jean Valjean in the last production of Les Miserables, added showbizzy pizzazz to the night with his polished, Disney-with-a-twang vocals. Eldred performed Pinocchio classic When You Wish Upon a Star with singer Kristen Plumley, as well as Can You Read My Mind?, a song told from the perspective of Superman when he takes Lois flying for the first time. As conductor Jack Everly said, "Who knew Superman was a tenor?" Sci-Fi Spectacular Edmonton Journal "Eldred’s impassioned singing carried You Raise Me Up and the haunting Sarah from Civil War, whose lyrics were drawn from a soldier’s final love letter. His Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered in a Richard Rodgers medley was moving." Fort Worth Symphony DFW.COM