Chris Mann: A Mann for All Seasons

CHRIS MANN IN CONCERT: A MANN FOR ALL SEASONS sees the acclaimed vocalist singing a collection of classical-crossover favorites live in concert with two very special guests four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and 14-time Grammy nominated Martina McBride and bestselling contemporary jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair. In his first PBS concert, which is produced by Grammy Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich with music under the direction of Michael Bearden, Mann performs an exciting and eclectic blend of songs, ranging from Ave Maria to Willie Nelson s Always on My Mind to Lady Antebellum s Need You Now. He also performs an updated version of My Way, re-written specifically for him by Paul Anka, as the new voice of the classic song. Anka tweaked the lyrics so that instead of looking back, this new version is from the point of view of a young man looking hopefully ahead. That Anka would, for the first time ever, reconsider Frank Sinatra s masterpiece means a great deal to Mann. His own late grandfather had once headed to Los Angeles in an attempt to make it as a Sinatra-influenced crooner, only to abandon his dream, return to Wichita, Kansas and start a family. I was raised on Sinatra by my granddad, so I have a strong connection to him as I m pursing my own dream, says Mann. If he d known that I d one day be working with Paul Anka, and that I d be recording the only other official version of My Way, he would be so proud and excited.