‘Evening of Love Songs’ with Ohio native

On Sunday, February 23, Jim Brickman and Melissa Manchester will perform an “Evening of Love Songs” at the Niswonger. It will be a memorable evening in Van Wert from two music industry powerhouses who know a thing or two about the artistry of a love song. The evening is a perfect combination of talent as the first half will be Jim Brickman’s distinctive piano classics followed by a soulful second half with Melissa Manchester. Each performance will be independently performed and bridged by a brief intermission where hot cocoa, chocolate, and camaraderie await in the Grand Lobby.

This event was specially selected to bring to the Niswonger stage on a Sunday in the winter when nestling into the Niswonger auditorium and basking in the ambiance satisfies the soul. So what is it that makes Jim Brickman a revered talent? Jim’s captivating live performances have revolutionized the popularity of instrumental music, making him a driving force behind modern American music. The hit-making songwriter is the best-selling solo pianist of our time earning 21 No. 1 albums and 32 Top 20 radio singles. He’s garnered two Grammy nominations, gospel music’s Dove Award, two SESAC “Songwriter of the Year” Awards, and the Canadian Country Music Award. He also has a music scholarship named for him by his alma mater, the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Music.
Jim is an Ohio boy, being born and raised in Shaker Heights. He began his music training at the age of 5. But young James wouldn’t conform to the rudimentary regulations of piano lessons. 

“He didn’t have the knack for it,” his first teacher would say. That didn’t discourage the tenacious pianist from creating his own unique brand of musical storytelling.
Brickman is one of pop-music’s most fascinating success stories. He jumped from a career as a jingle writer of famous tunes for advertising, to reviving the romantic standard of the popular song. His first album release was 1995’s No Words, and he’s gone on to sell 8 million albums worldwide. His star-studded vocal collaborations have crossed genres to feature luminaries like Martina McBride, Carly Simon, Lady Antebellum, Michael W. Smith, Herb Alpert, Michael Bolton, Donny Osmond, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Jane Krakowski, and a host of country, R&B, Broadway, pop, and jazz musicians. 

He’s written three best-selling books, starred in four TV concert specials, and is in the 20th season of hosting the popular syndicated radio show: “The Jim Brickman Show.”
“Hope,” “Faith” and “Peace” are truly at the heart of Jim Brickman’s passionate songwriting. “I write music to be shared — to soothe, to inspire, to celebrate, to love. To me, music is the pure and simple soundtrack to life’s most memorable moments.” 

As a true artist that lives and breathes the music he creates, Jim Brickman is thrilled to introduce fans to his most recent songs and perform them live in Van Wert. 

Stay tuned next week to find out what the compelling second half of this musical experience on Sunday, February 23, beholds. Hint: MM isn’t a reference to the lobby chocolate.