“She's just an amazing, compelling performer. She has a wonderful vocal presence and really knows what to do with a song. She'll be fun. I guarantee it.”
“[So lucrative a proposition is this link with the Pops for RCA Victor that the label has just renewed its contract, originally for six albums, with Lockhart. That's an] unusual commitment, ... particularly in the world of classical recordings.”
“[It caught on and has stuck, to musicians' amusement and American audiences' unfazed pleasure.] I'd like to say it's used because of its air of solemn ceremony, ... But honestly, I think it's the cannon and the bells.”
“[Country-pop recording artist Trisha Yearwood is Lockhart's guest soloist for the show.] The Fourth concert can be an unparalleled opportunity for a soloist ... but it can also be a little nerve-wracking for them. This program goes together in a heartbeat. It's rehearsed quickly and then -- it's on live television.”
“The goal of the Pops ... is still to keep the music somehow reflective of the popular culture of the day, but also reach out. Really, you know, the Pops is the best cultural outreach tool we have for classical music. Fiedler would still recognize much of our repertoire.”
“The majority of them are operating under deficits, so our situation is not unique. . . . But our situation is exacerbated here because we're a small community. And what will differentiate us is how we're going to go about maintaining our high-class standards.”
