Josh Groban And Céline Dion Team Up For Performance Of 'The Prayer'

Aug 22, 2020 by apost team

Josh Groban and Céline Dion reunited on stage in 2008 after nine years for Céline's CBS special That's Just the Woman in Me with a duet of The Prayer.

One of the most enduring aspects of the animated film, Quest for Camelot is the song, The Prayer. This song has resonated with millions of people around the world who have found a vast array of meanings in it. The song was written by veteran songwriters, David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa, and Tony Renis in 1998.

Originally, music superstars Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion, each recorded a version of the song for the film. Bocelli sang his version in his native Italian, while Dion sang the English version.

Eventually, the two would pair to sing The Prayer as a duet that was released on a solo album for each artist. The duet became a huge hit. Many folks don't know that the song has a side note that involves a third music superstar: Josh Groban.

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For the recording of the duet, Dion and Bocelli were scheduled to meet to rehearse the song. According to CBS, due to unforeseen circumstances, Bocelli was going to be unable to attend the rehearsal. No one wanted the time to go to waste, but where were producers going to find someone with the vocal talent to match Dion on such short notice? David Foster's thoughts went to a young, but extremely talented 17-year-old singer he knew.

He made the call and asked the young crooner to help him because he was "in a pickle." Producers told Dion about Bocelli being unable to make the rehearsal. She was understandably skeptical when told that they had found a "kid" to jump in and take the legendary tenor's place. The young man walked in, shaking with nervousness, but ready to do his best. Dion recounts that this 17-year-old appeared to be 12 when she saw him. When the young man began to sing, however, all her doubts went away. That was her introduction to Josh Groban.

Nine years later, Dion was set to sing The Prayer again. In this video, she tells the audience about the rehearsal all those many years before. They laugh out loud when she talks about her reaction to being told she was now going to rehearse with an unknown kid instead of Bocelli.

She tells them that the person she rehearsed with that night is there to sing with her again. That is when she introduces Josh Groban. When Groban comes out, the audience roars in approval. They are even more mesmerized when the two vocal talents begin to sing the popular song together.

Once the two singers complete their lovely duet, they both talk about their initial impressions of singing with each other and Groban tells Dion about how much he appreciates her friendship over the years. Although this song is beautiful and the voices of Dion and Groban meld amazingly together, this is really a story about how a superstar gave an opportunity for an unknown to shine.

As the legendary talent she was, it would have been understandable for Dion to balk at the idea of singing with an unknown teenager. Instead, she gave him the chance to shine and he responded by rewarding her faith in him.

What did you think of Groban and Dion's rendition of The Prayer? Were you touched by Groban's appreciation of Dion all these years later? Show this video to any great singers in your life looking for their opportunity, or to friends and family who are huge fans of each artist. Let us know how this video impacted you.