While watching Dancing with the Stars last night, I had my first encounter with Josh Groban, whom I described as “the Velveeta version of Andrea Bocelli” (and note that I’m not a fan of Signore Bocelli). Who is this guy and who’s buying his albums?
Josh Groban had a guest role on Ali McBeal during the show’s waning seasons. That introduced him to the mainstream. He played a sad, shy teenager whose mom died and he wanted to sing a tribute to her at his prom. Ali McBeal agreed to be his prom date, and the reveal was a holy-dear-Lord-that-kid-has-a-voice song from his first album.
So given the show’s demographics, Groban was mostly played on Easy Listening stations, alongside various other balads. I had a female co-worker who found his voice swoon-worthy, but didn’t like the “drivelly Christian overtones.” (Her words, not mine.) So I think his demographic has been the Lite Rock/Easy Listening type thing that also brings you Kenny G and Celine Dion (after her hits start to fade).
As for who buys his albums, I think that varies a bit. Heck , even I bought his album once to show my girlfiend how cool his voice was. We like his voice, but can’t stand the songs on his album.
BUT, he has expressed in interest in exploring radically different genres, so his newer album may be more pop-rock based. (Unless I’m totally misremembering an article I read, like, two years ago or more.)
In 2002 I was managing a music store. Corpororate sent us a few cases of this guys newest release and wanted it put on the front rack of the store. I had never heard of the guy. That day we sold out completely.
Turns out he was on Oprah the day previously and of course we all know that what ever she touches turns to gold.
So I’m thinking “housewife” describes his fanbase or maybe Oprah’s book club ladies? The same people that own and love the Phantom of the Opera Broadway soundtrack probably have his album too.
Ah, there we go. AllMusicGuide has him listed as “Classical Pop, Adult Contemporary, Vocal Pop”.
Twickster you may note from AllMusicGuide that he rehearsed a duet with Celine Dion in place of Bocelli when his job was “rehearsal singer”.
My Mother.
Heh. Do I have a good ear or what? 
Thanks for the info, all – and, as a middle-aged white woman, let me just say – not all middle-aged white women go for that shit.
Although his regular stuff is rather dire, his version of “O, Holy Night” is nothing short of amazing. He’s one of the few singers who actually have the voice to take on that song.
… Unfortunately, led me to getting his CD, which was coma-inducing saccharine in aural form. But check out him on “O, Holy Night” when come the holidays.
A year or so ago, our friends went to see Josh Groban in concert. With his parents. Who traveled here 10 hours for the show. So, a late 30s couple and a 60ish couple are part of the fan base.
He certainly has some range, but his style is not my cuppa joe.
Ha! That’s exactly what I said when I read the thread title. 
Heheh, I came to this thread to say “Middle-aged white women.”
I think he has a beautiful voice though I’ve never bought any of his albums. I’m a middle aged white woman.
::shrug::
Here you go. Merry Easter.
It’s definitely a mom thing. He has a beautiful voice, but his songs are glurge-worthy. For example, he sounds lovely singing a song called “You Raise Me Up,” but aside from his voice, the song is preposterous: it’s one verse and a repeating chorus:
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up… To more than I can be.
That’s the whole song. Repeat the chorus with vocal gymnastics 4 times, and you’re done. But he sounds lovely. Just not lovely enough to buy any of his music.
Thats the only song I kind of like. I can appreciate that he has a good voice but thats about it. Since I have a Pantera song as my ringtone I doubt I am the audience they are looking for.
Aaaand, halfway around the globe, my mother.
What is it about televised holiday concerts that is so cringe-inducing to watch? Nice music, but the overly earnest close-ups are just agonizing.
But, yeah, great song.
30-year-old straight married white male: I think he has a great voice, but hate the songs he sings on his album. I recently saw a DVD of him in a special one-night only performance of the musical CHESS (the music in that is by ABBA), and while he can’t act even a little bit, his singing blew most of the other singers (all well known by theatre standards - Adam Pascal, Raul Esparza, Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis) right off the stage and out of the building.
I saw him on Ally McBeal and realized that I sure as hell wasn’t his target audience, nor anyone I know. Even my best friend’s mom, for whom we searched high and low for a Bett Middler cd this Christmas, wouldn’t go for music like his.
My grandmother (who is blind) listens to him all day long. She was very distressed when, after she received his new CD for Christmas, the neighbor who helped her load it into her CD changer took out a different one of his CDs to fit it in (instead of discarding John Denver or someone).
I have his albums. I love his voice. Some of his songs are great and some just meh. I went to one of his concerts with my teenaged daughter and we both had fun.
Middle-aged white woman, who’s never been one of the cool kids anyway and really doesn’t give a damn.