In Monday’s (2/27) Detroit Free Press, Mark Stryker writes, “In the realm of musical odd couples, it’s hard to think of a greater Oscar Madison-Felix Unger mismatch than Kid Rock and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. But these two musical icons of Detroit are teaming up May 12 for a benefit concert at the Fox Theatre that promises to raise $1 million for the cash-strapped symphony. DSO music director Leonard Slatkin will conduct and the orchestra is commissioning arrangements from Rob Mathes, who has crafted orchestrations for artists as diverse as Sting, Mary J Blige, Chris Botti and Renee Fleming. … ‘As a musician, and of course a Detroiter, I am proud to be supporting this longstanding cultural institution,’ Rock said in a statement. … Plans for this one-night only summit have been percolating for a year and grew out of a confluence of Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert’s friendship with Rock and Gilbert’s attempts to help the DSO settle its debilitating six-month strike last winter. … Rock is well-known as a champion of Detroit and a frequent supporter of charitable causes. ‘What he is doing in general for Detroit is nothing short of amazing!’ said Slatkin. ‘I can think of very few contemporary musicians who believe so whole-heartedly in their city.’ ”
Photo by T.J. Hamilton/Grand Rapids Press
Posted February 27, 2012
