Perhaps it's timing, but Peter Cetera will be out and about this summer, especially in Sun Valley. It's not just that he is the subject of a new Heineken beer commercial geared toward the "ladies," but Cetera will be a special guest of the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Friday, July 2. This special Fourth of July show will be the first live performance for Cetera in Sun Valley.
"I thought it would be fun to do," Cetera said. "It's a chance for me to show what I am doing with symphonies."
Cetera, a singer, songwriter and musician, has lived in Sun Valley since the mid-1980s. Skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey and hiking are what Cetera loves about living in the valley, but he especially adores being a normal, active person.
"I do not hide in Sun Valley," he said. "I live here, and I also have a place in Nashville. A lot of people know my voice, but don't know who I am or have never seen me."
"It's nice to get reservations, go to Atkinsons' and read the Mountain Express. I have no shame and no fear. I do lots of songs you hear in elevators and in the dentist chair, and I love it."
Cetera has his own arrangement with the American Festival Chorus using his conductor from Chicago and his five-piece band from Nashville.
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He said he will perform his signature hits as a member of Chicago, the band that made him a famous tenor singer and love-ballad songwriter, but he will also perform his chart-busting solo songs, too. Cetera's career of hits include "If You Leave Me Now," "The Next Time I Fall," "Have You Ever Been in Love?" and "After All," which he's performed with Cher, and the movie theme song "Glory of Love" from "Karate Kid II." But, for anyone who lived in the 1970s and 1980s, Cetera's songs are reminiscent of the days when radio ruled and top Billboard music chart hits had lots of meaning.
"Music goes through cycles," he said. "Sometimes it's a hit or not. When it's not a hit, show business can be kind of cruel."
Cetera has been performing and doing very interesting work, which includes the new Heineken commercial, Comedy Central's "Adult Swim," a show with Ruben Studdard of "American Idol" called "Hit Man: A Special Evening With David Foster," and guest appearances with orchestras.
"It's an honor to be asked and be included," he said about his Sun Valley debut.
Cetera said he's thinking about writing and possibly recording in the future, and needs to learn more about music on the Internet. He does have a website and is his own manager.
For tickets, visit seats.sunvalley.com or call 622-2135.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Sun Valley resident Peter Cetera will perform with the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra at the Sun Valley Pavilion on Friday, July 2. Photo by
