BPO Welcomes The Texas Tenors Today

The Texas Tenors burst onto the scene in 2009, when they became the highest-rated vocal group in the history of the television show "America's Got Talent." Now, they bring their down-home flavor to the Buffalo Philharmonic for their Western New York debut at 7 p.m. tonight, Dec. 2 at Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo.

The Texas Tenors are comprised of John Hagen, Marcus Collins and JC Fisher, three classically trained singers who present a one-of-a-kind mix of Broadway, classical, country and gospel music. Since their success on "America's Got Talent," they have performed more than 500 concerts around the globe in settings ranging from the concert hall of the Prague Philharmonic to the Pro Bull Riders World Championship. Their debut album, "Country Roots - Classical Sound" is the only independent album to hit number one on both the country and classical charts, according to CD Baby. In 2012, they released their first DVD, "The Texas Tenors Live in Concert."

Their BPO debut coincides with the airing of their first PBS special, "The Texas Tenors: You Should Dream Live," and with the launch of their highly-anticipated second album, "You Should Dream" featuring a 65-piece orchestra and original songs. BPO Associate Conductor Matthew Kraemer will lead the orchestra in this concert that runs the gamut from "Country Roads" to "O Holy Night."

Pathway Tours of London, Ontario will partner with the BPO in presenting this concert, which is expected to draw patrons from all over Ontario and New York State. Pathway had presented shows in Niagara Falls, NY at the Festival of Lights from 1983 to 2001, and felt the time was right to return to presenting shows in the United States.

"It's our first venture back [to the United States] since 2001. We're delighted that we've been able to strike an agreement," said Robert Van Kleek, president of Pathway Tours. "It's one of those win-win situations. The symphony backing up The Texas Tenors will be tremendously popular. Their show is a really, really powerful show but ten times more powerful with big orchestra behind it."

Tickets to "Deep In The Heart of Christmas" go on sale Saturday, Sept. 21 through the BPO box office. For tickets, call (716) 885-5000 or visit www.bpo.org.

As Buffalo's cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the leadership of music director JoAnn Falletta presents more than 100 concerts each year. Since 1940, the orchestra's home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark with a reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. The BPO performed at Carnegie Hall as a participant in the prestigious Spring for Music festival in 2013, one of only six orchestras nationwide chosen for this honor. During the tenure of JoAnn Falletta, the BPO has rekindled its history of radio broadcasts and recordings, including the release of 25 new recordings on the Naxos and Beau Fleuve labels. For more information about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, visitwww.bpo.org.