'American Idol' Performance Series to Launch at Los Angeles Restaurant
Maintaining a full touring schedule, even though his doctors have recommended a kidney transplant within six months, season-eight American Idol alum Scott MacIntyre will make his first public in-concert appearance in the U.S. at Vitello's in Studio City on Saturday, Nov. 1.
MacIntyre is inaugurating a new Saturday brunch performance series in the restaurant's upstairs showroom. "Up Close and Personal With … Scott MacIntyre" will be the first in a monthly series of performances by Idol alums. The finalists will also be interviewed on stage by THR's Fred Bronson.
"Since my time on Idol, I've literally spent hours being interviewed by Fred," says MacIntyre. "This will be the first time we'll be doing it with an audience," says the Nashville-based musician. "No one knows the Idols like Fred does, and we'll be talking about a bunch of topics, from my battle with kidney disease to my experience as the first blind finalist in the show's history. Anyone who wants to know what goes on behind the scenes at Idol should enjoy this public grilling."
Following the performance of songs from his new Lighthouse album and the interview, MacIntyre will do a meet-and-greet for fans.
"We have artists appearing at Vitello's seven nights a week," says Joey Bybee, director of entertainment for the restaurant. "What makes this brunch series so unique is that we'll interweave the performance with a compelling interview. And after the show, the audience will get a chance to personally interact with the headliner. After watching their favorites compete on television, fans will be able to meet the Idols in a very up close and personal way."
The day after his appearance at Vitello’s, MacIntyre will perform at the National Kidney Foundation Walk in Los Angeles, to be held at Griffith Park. The event is the nation's largest walk to fight kidney disease.
MacIntyre had his first kidney transplant seven years ago. The wife of his former piano instructor at Arizona State University was discovered to be a match and donated a kidney. "She literally gave me the gift of life in the most tangible way," MacIntyre told THR. The Idol alum has been officially accepted into Nashville-based Vanderbilt Hospital's transplant program and is on the national waiting list for a deceased kidney. The average wait time is three to five years for a kidney from a deceased donor, but his doctors are suggesting a transplant within the next six months in order to avoid dialysis. This would require a living donor.
Potential donors can call Vanderbilt Hospital at (615) 936-0695, ext. 3. The person selected to be the donor will not incur any costs, as MacIntyre's insurance and Vanderbilt Hospital will assume all financial responsibility.
For information on how to book Scott MacIntyre for your next event, visit PremiereSpeakers.com/Christian/Scott_MacIntyre.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
