Steve Brammeier -Johnny Mathis: Different Stands Alone at Don't Tell Mama

Steve Brammeier reprises his tribute show, Johnny Mathis: Different Stands Alone, at Don't Tell Mama on Saturday, November 21st at 7:00 PM. Brammeier, a native of St. Louis, grew up in the 1950s and 1960s listening to Johnny Mathis and has fond memories of dancing to his “make out” music at the McCluer High School Homecoming dance. Musical Director is Nick Schlueter; Directed by Lina Koutrakos.

The show also celebrates the release of Brammeier’s debut album Songs That Found Me, featuring selected songs from his four solo cabaret shows, including five songs from Johnny Mathis: Different Stands Alone. Released September 1, 2026, the 13-track album is available to stream on major platforms, including Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, iHeartRadio, and Pandora.

“A born crooner, Brammeier used his voice beautifully...It simply flowed from his heart.” ~ Katie McGrath, Cabaret Hotspot

“He has a light baritone with a rough-hewn touch that reminded me of some of the notable folk-rock singer/songwriters of the 1960s, such as Gordon Lightfoot and Cat Stevens.” ~ Chuck Lavazzi, Cabaret Scenes

Johnny Mathis, with 74 studio albums and 113 singles to his name, retired from touring in May 2025, at the age of 89. The velvet-voiced king of schmooze, he remains a singular talent and an enduring icon. In Rocking the Closet: How Little Richard, Johnny Ray, Liberace and Johnny Mathis Queered Pop Music (November 11, 2019), Vincent L. Stephens writes that Mathis was “sandwiched between black and white social norms, older and younger musical tastes, and gender norms and gender transgressions.” As Stephens further observes, “Ambiguity provided a safe way for Mathis to negotiate a torrent of social expectations. His ability to exist between cultural and musical poles, especially notions of gender, racial, and musical norms, helped him stand out and appeal to multiple audiences.”