JOSH GROBAN ON 'REAL CAREER GEMS' AFTER 25 YEARS IN MUSIC

JOSH GROBAN CAN SAY THAT HE LASTED 25 YEARS in the music industry without playing the chart game.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

Returning to Manila for his “Gems World Tour” on Feb. 18 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (with OPM stalwarts Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera as special guests), the Tony, Emmy and five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter recently reflected on a career that never had to be driven by trends or chart rankings.

“I’m working on what is now my 10th studio album. I’ve done some side project albums in the past, but this is my 10th major one. And so, you know, I’ve never been one of the artists that has necessarily ever needed to have hits. I’m not chasing Top 40,” the 44-year-old told The STAR when asked about the “gems” or shining moments of his career that he likes looking back on.

“I’m not looking to see who's the hottest beat maker today. Because when you chase trends, you're constantly searching for what the next big thing is, and sometimes that can keep you from discovering what helps you really, truly connect with your audience.”

For him, the “gems” aren’t necessarily the biggest hits or his most recognizable songs.

“I think for me, gems have been different sometimes for different fans. There are the songs, of course, that have been, I would say, if not hits, the most recognizable for me, like You Raise Me Up and To Where You Are and You Are Loved, and songs like that. And so I always love, of course, to sing those songs on stage.

“But I’m also intrigued by the songs that have meant something to fans that have been more personal songs, like River or February Song. And people who come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I have also battled this,’ or ‘I have also been through this, and this song really helped me get through that time’ — that’s also a gem to me.

“It doesn’t have to be something that was huge. It just has to be something that was meaningful. And so I’ve got hopefully a lot of those to choose from when I come back to perform.”