“The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John with Michael Cavanaugh" at the University of Dubuque -- October 21.
Saturday, October 21, 8 p.m.
University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque IA
In celebration of homecoming weekend at the University of Dubuque, a Grammy and Tony Award-nominated artist will perform classics including "Piano Man," "Crocodile Rock," "New York State of Mind," and many more during the Heritage Center's October 21 event The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John with Michael Cavanaugh, an evening of thrilling vocals and piano accompaniment featuring the star of the Tony-winning Broadway sensation Movin' Out.
Cavanaugh began playing at age seven, when his parents bought their first piano. Encouraged by family and friends, and inspired by his hero Billy Joel, Cavanaugh formed his first band at age 10 and began playing local functions, fine-tuning the craft that would become his chosen career. His first full-time gig as a musician was an extended engagement in Orlando, Florida, at the piano bar Blazing Pianos. In January of 1999, Michael received an offer that would unknowingly change his life: an opportunity to play Las Vegas at the famed New York, New York Hotel and Casino. It was there that Billy Joel spotted Michael and joined him on stage one fateful night in February of 2001. It only took two songs before Joel was convinced that he had found his Piano Man. Cavanaugh closed up shop at New York, New York and moved to New York City to work alongside Joel and dance icon Twyla Tharp to shape the Broadway musical that would be called Movin’ Out. In the lead role, he received both Tony and Grammy nominations.
With the 2005 close of Movin’ Out after three years and more than 1,200 performances, Cavanaugh began touring worldwide in his own right, creating a show that reinterprets the modern pop/rock songbook known as The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John. Cavanaugh soon became one of the hottest artists in the private events market, and continues to perform worldwide. His tours consist of company and charity events, performing arts centers, as well as sporting events including many PGA Tour events, the Super Bowl, and the Indy 500. His interpretation of the modern rock/pop songbook led to Billboard calling him “the new voice of the American rock and roll songbook,” and he was recognized by Reuters as Entertainer of the Year for the private events market.
It wasn’t long before symphony orchestras discovered Cavanaugh's talents and audience appeal, as well. He accepted his first orchestral booking Michael Cavanaugh – The Songs of Billy Joel & More, which debuted in April of 2008 with the Indianapolis Symphony and continues to tour today. In October pf that year, he signed with Warner/ADA to distribute his first CD In Color, while in June of 2010, Cavanaugh debuted his second symphony show in the Generations of Rock series titled Michael Cavanaugh: The Songs of Elton John & More. His third symphony show Singers & Songwriters: The Music of Paul Simon, Neil Diamond, & James Taylor debuted in 2012, while his fourth, Rockin’ Christmas with the Pops, arrived in 2015. To this day, Cavanaugh continues to tour all four symphony productions along with performing with his band.
The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John with Michael Cavanaugh will take place in the John & Alice Butler Hall of the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center on October 21, admission to the 8 p.m. concert event is $31-49, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)585-7469 and visiting Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.
