Hollywood Agent Signing Up Stars
Loren Harriet is in the business of making dreams come true.
The concert promoter and producer was working in the studio with former Yankees center fielder and jazz musician Bernie Williams when an engineer asked what his greatest moment was. “I think he thought he was going to talk about the World Series,” he said.
But instead, Williams talked about getting to Yankee Stadium to practice early one day in 1999. There was no one there except him and the person pitching to him, but when he looked off to one side, there was Paul Simon, doing a sound check.
Joe DiMaggio had just died, and Simon was going to play “Mrs. Robinson” in his honor at that evening’s game.
And on Saturday, Aug. 2, Simon will call Williams up on stage to join him in playing that famous number at the Baseball Hall of Fame’s 75th Anniversary Concert at the Clark Sports Center field. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” he said. “Nothing like this has ever been done in music, baseball or at the Hall of Fame.”
Though the lineup is still being finalized – Harriet is hoping to announce a “Grammy, Emmy and Oscar-winning headliner” later this week – the recent addition of Hunter Hayes is one more item off the 22 year old country star’s wish list. “His dream has been to perform with the Boston Pops,” said Harriet. “He has a show on Friday and another on Sunday, but he’s going to fly down here to sing in this concert.”
Hayes recently performed his hit “Invisible” in the Macy’s Fourth of July parade, which he will also be performing with the Boston Pops. “He really appeals to the younger generation, especially the girls,” said Harriet. “He’s so passionate about his music, and he’s had a lot of success.”
Many of the musicians will be performing in front of videos celebrating some of baseball’s historic moments. “When Yolanda Adams sings in front of the video about integration in baseball, it’s going to be so intense,” he said. “She’s going to sing a really emotional, great song.”
A video of great moments in the World Series will be set to Randy Newman’s score from “The Natural,” while a celebration of great ballplayers will be scored to John William’s sweeping theme from “Jurassic Park.”
The concert will also feature a tribute to Little League, which is also celebrating their 75th anniversary, and a special presentation from Josh Wege of the Wounded Warrior softball team. “He was the captain of his baseball team when he was in high school and wanted to go pro,” said Harriet. Earlier that day, the Wounded Warriors will take on the Boston Astros, a team of inner-city high school kids, in a softball game. “It’s ridiculous how much we have going on,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m going to survive it – I’m not trying to be over-theatrical; it’s just so exciting!”