Even if you aren’t familiar with the name Jim Brickman, chances are you’ve heard his music. He has recorded many hit songs and collaborated on many more: Angel Eyes, Love of My Life (Destiny), Valentine with Martina McBride, Beautiful with Wayne Brady, A Mother’s Prayer with Carnie Wilson, and Never Alone with Lady A to name just a few.
Brickman is the bestselling solo pianist in history, and has 21 number one albums, 32 Top 20 radio hits and two Grammy nominations.
Fort Collins attracts its share of talented musicians, but Brickman is playing at the University Center for the Arts on Saturday, Oct. 1, because he was invited to by his longtime friend, Alumni Association Lifetime Member Jim Vidakovich (B.A., ’69; M.A., ’76). The two men first met in the late-1980s while collaborating on several youth-focused projects.
Vidakovich has had a long and prominent career working in television, most notably on Sesame Street, which began airing on PBS in 1969 and is still being broadcast today. The hit program along with 3-2-1 Contact and other related shows helped educate generations of children while breaking down gender and ethnic barriers.
“I saw the inherent value of the programs and the reach and impact they had on kids, especially on underserved kids,” Vidakovich said. Underserved children are often defined as those who have no access to, or are not qualified to attend, early childhood education programs and whose families lack the resources to afford extracurricular programs.
Last year, Vidakovich established the Youth Programs in Arts and Education fund in Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts. The fund supports three-related programs offered by the college: BRAINY (BRinging Arts INtegration to Youth), Middle School Outreach Ensembles, and Trying on Teaching, all of which enrich the lives of hundreds of students from elementary to high school by providing access and creating opportunities for youth in our community.
When Vidakovich was considering fundraising ideas, Brickman naturally came to mind. He is launching a national tour in October and was happy to lend his support to this worthy cause.
Join Grammy-nominated and internationally renowned songwriter and piano sensation Jim Brickman for his Greatest Hits Live concert on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. in Griffin Concert Hall at the University Center for the Arts (1400 Remington Street in Fort Collins). Tickets on sale now.
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When you join the Colorado State University Alumni Association, you become part of something bigger – a global community of green and gold that keeps alumni connected to the University and each other. Life member Jim Vidakovich is making an impact on current students and future Rams by funding youth programs; providing support for alumni programming, outreach, and engagement across the nation; and preserving time-honored traditions that bind us together as Rams. You can make a difference too, and gain access to benefits such as exclusive invites, bookstore savings, career services, and more. Become a member today!
