NEWBERRY - Steve Tyrell is everywhere these days. When he kicks off the 2009-2010 season at the Newberry Opera House, he will be coming straight from the Blue Note in New York but his reach is actually much farther. Recently the crew of the Space Station was awakened by the song "On the Sunny Side of the Street," performed by Tyrell. The song was uplinked especially for Commander Mark Polansky.

The talented and charming singer lends his suave approach to reinventing classic pop standards. This Renaissance man has collaborated as a music producer, arranger, recording supervisor, songwriter, and performer with legendary artists from Burt Bacharach to Rod Stewart. Tyrell is a true romantic. Ever since his breakthrough performance in "Father of the Bride," audiences all over have fallen in love with him.

Tyrell reinvented and re-popularized classic pop standards for a modern day audience. He has sold hundreds of thousands of albums and gained a passionate following all over the world. His hits include "The Way You Look Tonight," "A Kiss To Build A Dream On" and "The Sunny Side of The Street."

Every recording artist has one album that they are destined to make - an album so singularly in-sync with their sensibility and history that its¿ making smacks of pure destiny. For Steve Tyrell - the distinguished Grammy winner and Emmy nominated purveyor of pop standards, as well as a behind the scenes impresario - that album is "Back to Bacharach," a deeply personal collection of songs from the piano of Burt Bacharach and the pen of Hal David and he will be highlighting these Bacharach masterpieces in Newberry.

For music lovers the world over, songs like "The Look of Love," "Walk On By," "Close to You," "A House Is Not a Home" and "Alfie" are indelibly bound to our DNA, haunting strands of melodious memories that bring forth a flood of emotions and associations.

Tyrell's performance will be Friday, Sept. 18, at 8 p.m.

John, Jazz and the Starlight Quartet will officially open the NOH season Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. with a combination of jazz and classical music presented by John Wagner, former head of the Newberry College Music Department, joined by the Newberry based Starlight Quartet, featuring Paul Harshaw.

For tickets and information, call the Newberry Opera House Box Office at 803-276-6264 or visit online at www. newberryoperahouse. com.