Peabo Bryson Performs with the Columbus Symphony Tonight, 7/21

Over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, the two-time Grammy winner has amassed a fan base, critical acclaim, Gold albums, and an avalanche of awards. From ballads of sweet soul music such as "Feel the Fire" and "I'm So Into You" to the chart-topping hits such as "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" and "Can You Stop the Rain" to the Oscar-winning duet collaborations with Celine Dion ("Beauty and the Beast") and Regina Belle ("A Whole New World"), Bryson has proven himself the consummate vocal professional.

The 2012 Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops presents Peabo Bryson at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons (160 S. High St.) tonight, July 21, at 8pm.

Tickets are $23 for adults when purchased in advance by phone at 614.228.8600, online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com, or in person at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office (39 E. State St.). Adult tickets are $25 at the gate on the night of the show. Tickets for children ages 3-14 are always $8 regardless of when or where they are purchased. Children 2 and under are free.

Central Ohio Kroger Ticketmaster locations will offer Picnic with the Pops tickets at a discounted price of $20 for adults. The $8 children's tickets are also available for purchase at these locations.

This world-renowned balladeer got his start as a star of the traveling revues. In 1976, Bryson released his debut LP, Peabo. Nearly all the songs were composed by Bryson (some with the great Thom Bell), a young Luther Vandross was among the background vocalists, and film star Tamara "Cleopatra Jones" Dobson graced the back jacket.

With back-to-back Gold albums Reaching for the Sky (1977) and Crosswinds (1978), he pentrated the hearts of soul fans everywhere with the title tracks as well as "Feel the Fire" and "I'm So Into You." He was paired with Natalie Cole for the 1979 project, We're the Best of Friends, and a year later with Roberta Flack for the double-LP Live & More. Bryson delivered four more albums before making a second album with Flack titled Born to Love, a Gold-seller that featured the smash hit "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" (Top 5 R&B and #16 Pop). That led to four more albums, the second of which featured the crossover smash hit "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" (Top 10 Pop and R&B).