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My "How I Discovered Michael Ball" Story

Beaumont, Texas

May, 2000

By Theresa Storey

I have to start my discovery story with the discovery of another Michael.

My friend from Germany was visiting me over Christmas 1996 and after I played  "Memory" on the piano she  recommended I listen to more Andrew Lloyd Webber songs, specifically those from "Phantom of the Opera."  Around the same time a co-worker recommended that I get a Michael Crawford album, so I bought his "Favorite Love Songs" album which included "Bring Him Home" from "Les Miserables."

I then bought  his other albums thus hearing more songs from Les Miz.  In June 1998 when the show tour stopped in Oklahoma City,  I went  to see it  and the next day bought the highlight album of the "Complete Symphonic Recording."  When PBS aired the Tenth Anniversary  Concert" I watched it and was impressed by the singer/actor playing Marius and recognized the voice from the tape I had.  Finally I figured out it was Michael Ball.

I checked an online music source to see if he had any other albums and I believe I ordered "The Musicals,"  since I recognized all of the songs.  After listening to it one time I was hooked.  A similar thing happened when I received the video for "The Musicals"; while watching the TAC I noticed how he really got involved in his role and just seemed to be having a lot of fun.  I thought I have got to at least get one of his concert videos and I was not disappointed.

I joined the fan club mailing list about 2 months before joining the fan club.  I decided I was missing out  and went ahead and sent in my membership.

Personally there are very few singers today that I will buy their album without hearing a few songs first.  Admittedly some of his albums have held some surprises but even those songs tend to grow on you. The thing that appeals to me most is the wide variety of songs that MB has recorded  and how he performs the song.  He doesn't just sing it, he acts it out.  Anytime I show someone a MB video I tell them they cannot just listen to him sing, they need to watch  it too. You miss the whole point of the performance if you don't.

Theresa Storey