Inspiration of Broadway

New Jersey was the site of Thomas Edison's first incandescent light bulb, and another bright idea was born there when Broadway star J. Mark McVey was spotted at the merchandise table after an Ernie Haase and Signature Sound concert. Ernie Haase and musical director Wayne Haun recognized the Les Miserables legend, and before long, a conversation between the three turned into a fast friendship formed around a mutual love of great music, and then overflowed into a dream recording in the studio, a live concert DVD, and tour dates around the country. "The Inspiration of Broadway" recording by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound with featured vocalist J. Mark McVey showcases five-part harmony and lush symphonic arrangements, and highlights hope-filled classics like "Climb Every Mountain" (The Sound of Music) and "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Carousel), as well as heart-lifting selections including "I Got The Sun In The Morning" (Annie Get Your Gun) and "Get Happy" (The Nine-Fifteen Revue). The unforgettable "Bring Him Home" was also an important choice for The Inspiration of Broadway CD and DVD, since J. Mark McVey made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean after having won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actor while tour in Les Miserables. Highly identified with the iconic role, he was also the first American to perform the role in London's West End, reprise it in 2008 with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to sold-out crowds at the Hollywood Bowl, and bring it back again for the show's 25th Anniversary Tour in May, 2011, when he won the Ovation Award and the BroadwayWorld.com Award on his way to surpassing a stunning 3,268 performances in Les Miserables.