ISHPEMING - Adam Whittington's concert March 19 at Kaufman Auditorium will be much more than just the young singer-songwriter performing his original tunes.
That music, of course, will be centerpiece of the evening, but will be just part of the event.
"It's going to be more than the music," Whittington said. "We want to make it a visual experience as well. So we have been working on the lighting production and the stage design.
"We want to get all the senses involved."
Much has been going on of late for Ishpeming resident Whittington, 18. Not only is his single "To You" getting airplay on central Upper Peninsula radio stations, it has climbed to the No. 1 spot on theradiocafe.com's list of most requested songs.
Whittington found out he'd grabbed the No. 1 spot during an interview with the syndicated radio show.
"At the end of the (telephone) interview, they asked me if I wanted an update on where my song was," Whittington said as "To You" had been No. 2 on the countdown for several previous weeks. "When they told me I had made it to No. 1, I was so excited. I had to maintain my cool."
His mother, Teresa, added: "It really is so exciting. It's at the end of the program if anyone wants to listen to it."
The interview can be found at www.theradiocafe.com/detroit.htm. Click on the show for Feb. 22.
Whittington also reached out to local fans by volunteering to be part of last weekend's Kaleidoscope Hands-On Learning Festival at the Superior Dome in Marquette.
"There were lots of kids coming up, enjoying the booth," Whittington said. "I like helping in the community. I like doing things that might influence kids positively.
"It was so much fun. Becky, Ethan and I had such a good time. We played singing games with the kids and after a while did a bit of a concert for the kids."
Becky Cariati and Ethan Bott are Whittington's friends. Both will be performing at the March 19 Kaufman concert.
Cariati, who's a Northern Michigan University student, will be an opening act, will perform during Whittington's intermission and will sing three duets with Adam.
Bott, who is only 13, will be another opening act, performing some of his original music.
"Ethan opened for Matt Sia and for Chasin' Steel before," Whittington said. "He's very talented and he's already writing songs at 13.
"Becky and I met when we were in 'High School Musical' a couple of years ago. We had the lead parts and hit it off really well," he said. "I have so much fun working with her. She's really really talented."
To add to the concert experience, both the Marquette Senior High School and NMU dance teams will be performing with Adam.
"They'll be doing choreographed dances to my music," he said. "They have been working really hard in practice. They have great talent."
Whittington has been working with the MSHS troupe on Sundays in recent weeks and just started to work with the NMU dancers.
Ishpeming's Phelps School Select Choir also will perform some pop songs at the Kaufman event.
Whittington's fans will hear much of the music from his CD, "Adam Whittington: To You," but will be treated to some tunes as well.
"I have two brand new songs I wrote for the CD I am working on," Whittington said. "They are upbeat pop and I am really proud of them."
NMU's Public Relations Student Society of America has become involved in the Kaufman event as well.
"They have come along and helped with some of the publicity," Teresa Whittington said. "They have been a real asset for us."
Adam's uncle, Ryan Gleason, continues to do his nephew's promotional efforts while mom Teresa is Adam's manager.
"I could never do any of this without their support," Whittington said. "They have been great. I have wonderful family and friends. And I thank God for his blessings."
Teresa Whittington said they are hoping for a good crowd, with tickets already being sold to fans downstate and in Wisconsin.
For ticket information, call 225-4302, ext. 110, or 869-5267.
Renee Prusi can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Her e-mail address is rprusi@miningjournal.net.