Less than six months after debuting at The Lyric Theater singer John Vincent is again on the Blue Island venue, which he calls considered one of his favourite locations to carry out.
An Evening with John Vincent on Jan. 5, 2024, consists of tales in regards to the native of Chicago’s South Side in addition to covers of Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra songs.
“I talk a lot about the experiences I had in my life — the good and the bad. I talk about what I think is important and that’s spreading kindness especially now,” stated Vincent who lives in Chicago’s North Park group.
“It’s all the time a great time to do this particularly when it looks like everyone is feeling loopy, feeling scared, feeling alone. This is the time to make a distinction.
“I was bullied when I was a kid and suffer from mental illness. My father has Lewy body Parkinson’s. It’s been hard on my family. I just try to keep (it) real with some laughter, with some tears, with some great stories.”
Those tales embody being the resident performer from 2001 to 2018 on the former downtown Chicago location of Ditka’s, the steakhouse named for former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka.
Vincent, whose mother and father dwell in Homer Glen, recalled being 29 years outdated and dealing at an accounting and finance recruiting agency when a co-worker visited the unique Ditka’s and helped to attach the restaurant with the performer.
“Before I could audition for the manager, Mrs. (Diane) Ditka walked up to me. Right on the spot she said, ‘Sing “New York, New York.”’ She stated, ‘He’s employed’ proper there. Me and her are extraordinarily near today,” stated Vincent, who cited “Fly Me to the Moon” as amongst his favourite songs to carry out.
“Coach and Mrs. Ditka are like second parents. I’m still in contact with them today and am going to spend 10 days with them in February.”
Performing at Dikta’s led to Vincent changing into the resident nationwide anthem singer for the Chicago Cubs in 2003 after former pitching coach Larry Rothschild and gamers together with former catcher Joe Girardi heard Vincent sing on the restaurant.
“(That) gave me the opportunity to sing the Anthem — one or two a year. When Mr. (Tom) Ricketts took over, I kept doing more and more — 15 to 20 a year. I do opening day. The World Series was the best one I was able to do, the most exciting,” Vincent stated.
Vincent, who can also be the resident singer on the personal Astor Club in Chicago, carried out “The Star-Spangled Banner” for Game 4 of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field.
“I was very nervous,” he stated.
“The thing I remember the most about the World Series is the tweet I got from Lada Gaga: ‘Wow! John Vincent THATS HOW YOU SING THE national anthem! Goosebumps Let’s go @Cubs!!!’”
Vincent’s full-time singing profession has included partnering with the Chicago Police Department for 2020 exhibits exterior nursing houses, performing in Copenhagen throughout Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and gigs at Duke University in North Carolina, Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and the Pentagon.
An Evening with John Vincent
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5, 2024
Where: The Lyric Theater, 12952 Western Ave., Blue Island
Tickets: $39.95 predominant ground; $34.95 reserved
Information: 708-972-0700; lyrictheater.com
Jessi Virtusio is a contract reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com