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West Michigan Whitecaps

American Idol Matt Giraud to Appear at Fifth Third Ballpark

July 19, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI -- American Idol fans can meet Idol Season 8 finalist and Kalamazoo native Matt Giraud at the Whitecaps game on Sunday, August 15, where he will sing the National Anthem, throw out the first pitch, meet fans and sign autographs.

Giraud is appearing as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Day at the Park, organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns to allow kids and mentors in the program the opportunity to spend a special day at the ballpark. Admission to the Day at the Park, plus food and t-shirt, is free to all pre-registered Big Brothers Big Sisters' participants. Fans can pre-register by contacting Big Brothers Big Sisters of D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns. Giraud has been a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for years and is supporting the Day at the Park as another way to increase awareness of the program.

The Western Michigan University grad made his mark locally as a dueling piano player in several Kalamazoo clubs before trying out for Season 8 of American Idol (2009), where he was a judges' favorite and became known as a bluesy artist and a talented musician. Giraud was the fifth place finalist on American Idol.

Giraud toured nationally with the American Idol finalists last summer, and played his first solo concert in January to a sold out crowd at the Forest Hills Performing Arts Center with Grand Rapids band Sweet Japonic (recently renamed to The Sweet J Band) backing him. Since then he's been performing in concert around the country while writing songs and holding recording sessions in Nashville for a new album.

Giraud recorded "You Don't Know Me" with jazz/country singer-songwriter Anna Wilson for her upcoming duets album; the song hit No. 1 on the iTunes jazz chart in January and again in March after he plugged it during a guest appearance on Season 9 of American Idol. He also has an upcoming single called "Thank You" with songwriter-pianist Jim Brickman.

At the Whitecaps game, Giraud will perform the National Anthem and throw out the first pitch before the 1 p.m. game against the South Bend Silver Hawks, and then sign autographs for fans in attendance. In addition to Big Brothers Big Sisters Day at the Park, the game is also Family Day/Kids Eat Free presented by Helen DeVos Children's Hospital; play catch and get autographs from the team on the field before the game, and after the game all kids can run the bases.

Tickets for all remaining home games are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131, or in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office (open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays (as well as during games). Ticket prices are $13.00 for premium box seats, $11.00 for box seats, $9.50 for reserved seats including the Alpine Collision Center Family Section, and $5.00 for McCain Foods Lawn seating. Children 2 and under are free.

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