Foreigner's 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour will stop in Tyler this Saturday, October 9, 2026, featuring a performance by the Jacksonville High School Choir. The British-American rock band will perform at the University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center, with the concert set to begin at 7:30 p.m. The Jacksonville students will join Foreigner on stage to perform the hit song, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” after winning a contest hosted by KTBB Radio. To support the local program, Foreigner donated $500 to the Jacksonville High School Choir, with KTBB Radio matching the donation for a total of $1,000.
Michael Bluestein, who has served as Foreigner's keyboardist and backing vocalist since 2008, expressed gratitude for his career ahead of the tour stop. He noted the band frequently sees new and younger fans at their shows, highlighting the enduring relevance of their songs. Bluestein observed the excitement of concert-goers singing along, which he said keeps the experience new.
Tiffany Hammock, choir director for Jacksonville High School, described the excitement among her students, who are in grades 10 through 12, upon learning they had won the competition. Hammock's colleagues heard about the contest for the Tyler concert, and the school submitted a recorded audition video. The choir learned of their win through a radio announcement. Hammock said the students “all jumped up and screamed and yelled and they just were super excited.” She taught her students a modeled chord arrangement of the song, adapted from a karaoke track, after which they videoed their performance in their choir room for submission to KTBB.
During the concert, the Jacksonville High School Choir will go backstage before walking onto a platform to perform. Hammock is looking forward to sharing this unique experience with her students, many of whom were not familiar with Foreigner initially but are now eager to perform with a professional rock band. She plans to use the combined $1,000 donation from Foreigner and KTBB Radio for a special trip for the students and to support the choir program. She emphasized that this will be a “lifetime memory” for her students, something they will continue to share in the future.
Foreigner formed in 1976 in New York City, bringing together three British musicians—guitar players Mick Jones and Ian McDonald and drummer Dennis Elliott—with three American musicians: singer Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Ed Gagliardi. The name “Foreigner” was chosen by Mick Jones because, as he noted, half the band would always be a foreigner regardless of their travel. Jones is the only original member still touring with the band. Kelly Hansen joined as lead vocalist in 2004, after Gramm departed in 2003. Bluestein joined the group in 2008.
Over their 50-year history, Foreigner has sold more than 80 million records worldwide and released nine studio albums. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. In September 2017, Foreigner's catalog sales were ranked in the Top 40 of Business Insider Magazine’s Best Selling Music Artists of All Time, ahead of other well-known artists.
Bluestein attributed the band's longevity and widespread appeal to the enduring quality of their music, noting that the songs were carefully crafted to last. He highlighted the significant care and attention original members like Mick Jones put into the arrangements, creation, production, and singing of their songs. Bluestein noted that even though the band plays familiar songs, each concert is a unique experience, allowing for creative liberties and spontaneity. He mentioned “Jukebox Hero” as an example where the live version is an “epic, longer” performance with solos and opportunities for exploration while maintaining the song's integrity.
Beyond touring, Foreigner actively supports music education through partnerships with the Grammy Foundation and Music Cares. These collaborations raise money for school music programs nationwide, which are often vulnerable to budget cuts. The band also facilitates opportunities for local school music programs, like Jacksonville High School’s choir, to perform with them on stage, fulfilling their mission to involve students.
Bluestein, who began classical piano at age nine and later studied jazz piano and composition at Berklee College of Music, said his diverse musical background prepared him well for his role in Foreigner, blending strong piano fundamentals with soulful and funky elements. He also noted the influence of progressive music, such as bands like Emerson Lake and Palmer, on Foreigner's sound. In his downtime, Bluestein continues to learn, currently teaching himself guitar and playing a small keyboard he travels with, emphasizing the endless and exciting nature of continuous learning and improvement. He encourages others to keep learning and pushing to stay engaged and inspired.
The band recently released a new live album, “In the Eye of the Storm,” on July 24, which serves as the soundtrack to their concert film captured on September 6 and 7, 2025, at Ellis Island and Brooklyn's DUMBO House. Bluestein noted the special quality of a live recording, capturing the excitement of the crowd and some of “the sonic imperfections,” which contribute to its distinct appeal compared to a polished studio recording.
The Jacksonville High School Choir will experience this live excitement firsthand on Saturday, performing alongside the legendary rock band. This unique opportunity, coupled with the $1,000 donation, is set to create lasting memories and provide valuable support for their school’s music program.
