josh groban, buchelli, we all sort of see pbs as the ultimate venue to make music. and i'm just so very, very thrilled to take this show live in boston and come back and perform for you guys. >> well, because you can make it how you want. nobody says play one three and a half minute song and then you're done. i mean you get to do it the way you want to do it. >> (chris) yeah i mean pbs sort of gives you the key and they say do whatever you want. drive however, as fast as you want and no speed limit. >> i like that. >> that's sort of the way it happens you know. >> yeah, yeah. and you've done it and there are so many things coming up in the show. so many incredible guests. and you've really called them from everywhere and that's what's a lot of fun. so stick with us. ♪ [singing] >> (josh groban) hi this is josh groban. public television has been a great influence on my life ever since i was very young. and i ask you to show your support by calling the number on your screen. pbs is the really one

of the only alternatives to regular network television to see of the arts in all their glory. as a young kid growing up i mean i was so inspired by you know if i couldn't make it to new york to see a trip on broadway, i could still check out sweeney todd and different concerts and south pacific and all these other things that were being captured so beautifully and opera and classical pieces. and grew to absolutely love antiques road show. i'm addicted to that show now. so you know, there's all sorts of programming that whether it's local programming for your city-- there are lots of great shows in la. we've got people like huell howser and things like that, which he's such a legend. and every city that i tour in i flip on their local pbs channel, there's a show for that city. i think it's such a wonderful way, young and old to learn about your city, learn about the world. it really is a place like no other. and the fact that it has stayed funded by the viewers is so important. so yeah, support,

support, support. really is fundamental in making sure that our kids, our grandkids all have the television that we need. cause there isn't a lot of good television out there. >> you're with me backstage here at the boston symphony hall as we're between performances. got josh groban right there about to take the stage and perform. as you can see he's heading out onto the stage. we're going to be hearing from him in just a moment. it's part of that front row seat you have right here at pbs. backstage pass, front row seat, it's all good. call the number on your screen and let us hear from you so that we can make more of these concert experiences possible. call the number on your screen won't you? now enjoy the show. ( audience applauding ) there was one song that we started over that we actually train wrecked a couple times, and i believe that's really fun for the audience to watch. you're fired. ( audience laughing ) "shape of my heart" is a fantastic example of something that didn't go right,

but ultimately, was perfect. sorry. ( laughing ) ( audience laughing ) botti: we were sort of having a conversation in front of everyone... i guess a rehearsal in front of 3,000 people. i've got a plane to catch. ( laughter ) so we start doing it again, and i come in for my first entrance and just completely botched it up, like i'd forgot everything about how to play the trumpet. ( squeaky notes ) sorry! ( audience laughing ) so then i had to start again. the shape of my heart is square right now, just so you know. sting: i need a drink. ( laughter ) not water. ( laughter, cheering ) you know, it was very funny. that's what the audience remembers. ♪ ( orchestra playing shape of my heart )

( guitarist playing ) ( botti begins playing ) ♪ he deals the cards as a meditation ♪ ♪ and those he plays never suspect ♪ ♪ he doesn't play for the money he wins ♪ ♪ he don't play for respect ♪ he deals the cards to find the answer ♪

♪ the sacred geometry of chance ♪ ♪ the hidden law of a probable outcome ♪ ♪ the numbers lead a dance sting and josh groban: ♪ i know that the spades ♪ are the swords of a soldier ♪ i know that the clubs are weapons of war ♪ ♪ i know that diamonds mean money for this art ♪ ♪ but that's not the shape of my heart ♪ ♪ now, he may play the jack of diamonds ♪ ♪ he may lay the queen of spades ♪ ♪ he may conceal a king in his hand ♪

♪ while the memory of it fades ♪ i know the spades are the swords of a soldier ♪ ♪ i know that the clubs are weapons of war ♪ ♪ i know that diamonds mean money for this art ♪ ♪ but that's not the shape of my heart ♪ ♪ that's not the shape ♪ shape of my heart ( botti playing solo )

♪ and if i told you that i loved you ♪ ♪ you'd maybe think there's something wrong ♪ ♪ i'm not a man of too many faces ♪ ♪ the mask i wear is one ♪ for those who speak know nothing ♪ ♪ and find out to their cost ♪ ♪ like those who curse their luck ♪ ♪ in too many places ♪ and those who fear are lost ♪ i know that the spades are the swords of a soldier ♪

♪ i know that the clubs are weapons of war ♪ ♪ i know that diamonds mean money for this art ♪ ♪ but that's not the shape of my heart ♪ ♪ that's not the shape of my heart ♪ ♪ that's not the shape ♪ the shape of my heart ( song winds down ) ( song ends ) ( audience applauding, cheering )

last december, i was playing a show-- a two-week run at the blue note in new york-- and i walked in and i ran into this artist. we'd sort of met peripherally a few times, and we got to talkin' over a couple drinks about music that you like, don't like, and stuff like that, and i said, "hey, have you heard "frank sinatra's 'in the wee small hours of the morning'?" so i told this gentleman about this cd. six months later, i ran into him again at another party, and he said, "i haven't been able to get the sound "and the mood and the class of that record "out of my head." and i said, "oh, really? "would you like to come to boston and sing it "with the boston pops?" and he's like, "sure. my tour ends in september. "i'm there." and he's here.

i'm so very, very privileged to have him here. mr. john mayer. ( audience cheering ) ( inaudible ) ♪ ( playing glad to be unhappy ) ♪ look at yourself ♪ if you had a sense of humor ♪ you would laugh to beat the band ♪

♪ look at yourself ♪ do you still believe the rumors ♪ ♪ that romance is simply grand? ♪ ♪ since you took it right on the chin ♪ ♪ you have lost that bright toothpaste grin ♪ ♪ my mental state ♪ is all a-jumble ♪ i sit around and sadly mumble ♪ ♪ fools rush in ♪ so here i am

♪ very glad to be unhappy ♪ i can't win ♪ but here i am ♪ more than glad to be unhappy ♪ ♪ unrequited love's a bore ♪ and i've got it pretty bad ♪ but for someone you adore ♪ it's a pleasure to be sad

♪ like a straying baby lamb ♪ with no mammy and no pappy ♪ i'm so unhappy ♪ but oh ♪ so glad ( botti begins playing )

♪ like a straying ♪ baby lamb

♪ with no mammy and no pappy ♪ i'm so unhappy ♪ but oh ♪ so glad ♪ so glad ♪ glad ( song ends ) ( applause ) thank you.

botti: john mayer. ♪ come on, boston, help me in welcoming... miss katharine mcphee. ( cheering, applause ) ( inaudible ) ♪ i've got you under my skin ♪ i've got you ♪ deep in the heart of me

♪ so deep in my heart ♪ that you're really a part of me ♪ ♪ i've got you ♪ under my skin ♪ i've tried so ♪ not to give in ♪ i've said to myself ♪ this affair will never go so well ♪ ♪ but why should i try to resist ♪ ♪ when baby, i know damn well ♪ that i've got you ♪ under my skin ♪ i'd sacrifice anything come what might ♪ ♪ for the sake of having you near ♪ ♪ in spite of the warning voice ♪ ♪ that comes in the night ♪ and repeats, repeats in my ear ♪

♪ don't you know, little fool ♪ you never can win? ♪ oh, use your mentality ♪ wake up, wake up to reality ♪ ♪ but each time that i do ♪ just the thought of you ♪ makes me stop just before i begin ♪ ♪ 'cause i've got you ♪ under my skin ( band, orchestra continue playing ) ( botti begins solo )

( playing solo ) ♪ i'd sacrifice anything come what might ♪ ♪ for the sake of having you near ♪ ♪ in spite of the warning voice ♪ ♪ that comes in the night ♪ and repeats, and repeats in my ear ♪ ♪ don't you know, little fool

♪ you never can win? ♪ oh, use your mentality ♪ wake up, wake up to reality ♪ ♪ but each time that i do ♪ just the thought of you ♪ makes me stop just before i begin ♪ ♪ 'cause i've got you ♪ under my skin ♪ 'cause i've got you ♪ under my skin ( song ends, audience applauding ) in the historic symphony hall here in boston. it's incredible. we've been enjoying the chris botti concert

and i don't know about you, but this is amazing. the thing about public television is we are your gateway to new worlds. and in this case, we are a backstage pass to an incredible concert event. you are right here along with me every step of the way. you're up on stage. you're behind the scenes. you're speaking to the artists. you're having a chance to get that all access look. and it's available to everyone with no barriers and that's what you've come to expect with public television. we give you the music, the arts, dance, theater, all right here. and how does it happen? because of the support of viewers such as yourself. call the number on your screen and let us hear from you. it goes beyond financial support. it becomes a partnership. a partnership that enriches not only your friends, your family, but your entire community. you make it all possible. and when you call that number on your screen, ask about the dvd for this event. the best part of all; it has a number of special features that will help to enhance the experience and to enrich it all right in the comfort of your own home. and there are a few little surprises there too

including some interviews with chris's special guests from this concert. now we have many ways of saying thank you. let's take a look. kathy, we've got some great ways for you to be able to extend this experience. so call this station, the number on the screen right now. call us and lend your support for the basic membership level. or to really extend the experience, call us for 35 dollars so we could say thank you by sending you chris botti's love songs. there are seven of chris's greatest hits on this disc including "no ordinary love," "moon dance," "my romance." but if you really love that last version of "i've got you under my skin," call us for 75 dollars and we'll say thank you by sending you the companion cd to that entire performance at symphony hall. there are 13 tracks on there and yes that includes the wonderful version of "i've got you under my skin". kathy also mentioned the dvd. would you like the whole experience? some of the behind the scenes looks at the concert?

call us and lend your support for 90 dollars and we'll say thank you by sending you that. there are 18 tracks on there and that's more than we can show you during this broadcast. so not only will you see more music, more performances, you'll also get to see the behind the scenes looks at how this concert came together. or for 150 dollars call us and we'll say thank you by sending you a wonderful chris botti in boston collection. that includes the love songs cd the boston companion cd, and the dvd for this performance. but call this station now. for every dollar that you contribute by calling, all of those dollars stay right here. they support this station. they go to the programs that you've come to enjoy whether it's local programs. whether its programs like chris botti. but call us right now to lend your support. and lend your support to more performances with people like chris botti, right bonnie? >> i am here with very special guest, chris botti. and chris i want to ask you, it looks like you came up

with your dream concert here. i mean you look at the entertainers, katharine mcphee, josh groban, sting, oh my gosh. yo-yo ma coming up. some incredible performers. how did you-- did everybody say yes that you asked? >> yeah pretty much. i mean it's of all the things i've been able to do in my life, the one thing i'm most proud of is the kind of acceptance from my peers. and so when we set out to do this show, i just called up all my friends. of course i've worked with sting forever. josh and i toured for about four or five months together on the road. all the people i have some sort of personal link to beyond just music. >> (bonnie) right. >> and so it makes it so when you get on stage the energy is more friendly than just being professional. does that make sense? >> yes. oh absolutely, absolutely. because if they are your friends, there's a different vibe there. >> well, and t other thing is that we also wanted toake some sort of risk as perfectly framed by

the josh, sting, myself doing-- >> (bonnie) right. >> shape of my heart, train wrecks are okay in music sometimes because they make it something different. >> some great ways to say thank you tonight for you to expand the experience of this wonderful concert. first of all at the 35 dollar level chris botti's love songs cd. seven of his greatest hits, they're beautiful, beautiful songs. then at the 75 dollar level, chris the companion cd of the program that you're watching. that has 13 songs on it, but still the best deal of all, the dvd because there's just so much there. this is one of those concerts where they couldn't get it all in to the show, so they put the extra footage on the dvd and that's what's in that. that's at the 90 dollar level. you'll also get eight additional songs. and it's been an incredible concert and i'm sure for you a real sense of accomplishment too. >> well, this is my first time seeing the show tonight. i, by tradition, we do the show

and then i stick around a little bit for the making of the music, the mixing of the music. but when it comes to actually seeing the final show, i don't want to see it until the moment it comes out. >> oh cool. >> so i'm actually witnessing it for the first time. so i'm very, very proud and happy. >> well, we've also been talking to kathy corday for the entire program. she was there. she was backstage and she had some very interesting experiences. >> we're back stage with john mayer. what an incredible performance. >> thank you. >> how did it feel out there tonight? >> i get very few moments as any musician does where you feel like you're flying. and one of the moments that i had that was really pivotal in my career was playing with steve jordan, and... the very first time and going-- >> is that right? >> yeah and saying this has to happen more. and yesterday when i got to rehearse with chris, i had never before sung in that style. i've only been singing it to myself and believing in my head that i could. so yesterday was the maiden voyage of it. and when i was done with it-- >> so this is a special experience here? >> this is the one that launches a lot more of this stuff.

it's a feeling, i've been looking for a new feeling for a while in music and that's really the level of expressiveness with those lyrics. and frank sinatra is and was a genius. so i'm gonna spend a little time trying to figure out how i could possibly find my own space in those songs. this is beautiful arrangements. >> well thank you. thank you for sharing that with us here at pbs. i mean one of the things that we like to say is that we're here for lifelong learning. and that we give you insights into the creative process. and so what you're telling me is that your music is evolving and >> pursuits. it's all about how many different pursuits you can sort of take under at the same time. and this is a whole different pursuit than anything i've ever done. but i feel like i have a right to try it because it's music. >> yes. do you have a special pbs memory? anything that comes to mind? >> just that tote bag. we love that tote bag for the beach. you can store other tote bags that-- >> that's true. >> if you take other tote bags, you can fit six others tote bags. i'm a wnet fan.

>> are you? >> yeah. >> okay so you have a-- >> channel 13 we call it. >> well, so basically what you're telling me is that you are a contributor to public television. >> yes i am and i invite everyone to call that number that most definitely is at the bottom of the screen. and possibly get yourself chris botti live at the boston symphony hall. is that what it's called symphony hall? >> yeah. >> so can you digitally lay that in? that's gonna cost too much pledge money if you digitally lay it in. >> i don't think so. i don't think so. thank you very much for talking with us. >> thank you. >> i really think that the dvd is the best way to go here because chris it's got things that they're not going to see in the program. it's got eight additional songs and great songs there. and also a behind the scenes documentary. what you guys were doing those two nights in boston. >> yeah. well, it's a two-hour show that for pbs for this show, we cut down to one hour. so you get that full extra hour of stuff and then a bunch of behind the scenes, it was a very, very dramatic night for a few different reasons. first of all, for me it was big because all the shift performers were there and the show was happening. but during the taping of the second night,

a gentleman had an apparent heart attack. >> oh my goodness. >> and they stopped the show for 40-minutes while they attended to this gentleman. i am so happy to say that the next day we found out, he's absolutely fine. >> wow! >> but for a minute there, for many minutes there rather, it was very, very emotional and dramatic. and i walked back to the little holding room where they've been interviewing people and sting is standing back there and i said well what do we do? and he said well, he had an idea and we went out and we played fragile and kind of dedicated that, the night to the gentleman. and all this stuff is on the behind the scenes as well as an interview with the gentleman that we found him and he's fine. >> oh how-- >> (chris botti) very, very good. >> very good. very good. we're going to go back to the program. be sure to call this station by calling the number on your screen and support public television.