by Michael Bublé’s Early Gigs Paved the Way for Success
Before finding worldwide fame as one of the best-selling jazz artists of all time, Michael Bublé spent years honing his craft through a variety of small gigs and performances. Looking back, Bublé recognizes that these humble beginnings allowed him to develop his skills and gain experience in front of audiences. More importantly, taking on any job that came his way instilled a willingness in Bublé to seize opportunities—a mindset that would serve him well as his career progressed.
In the early 1990s, a young Bublé was still exploring different musical styles and trying to make a name for himself in Vancouver’s nightclub scene. At this stage, he readily accepted any singing jobs that came his way, no matter how modest. This included performing at weddings, bar mitzvahs, cruise ships, and even impersonating Elvis Presley at local events. While not necessarily glamorous, these gigs provided Bublé with valuable stage time and the chance to hone his live performance abilities.
“I did everything I could to get experience in front of people,” Bublé later reflected. Singing cover songs on cruise ships in particular helped Bublé connect with audiences and learn how to work a room. He saw it as a chance to “learn how to entertain people and make them happy.” These early career experiences instilled in Bublé an appreciation for live performance and an ability to engage crowds—skills that would serve him well as arenas.
More than just honing his craft, Bublé’s willingness to take on any job opened doors that may have otherwise stayed closed. On one cruise ship gig, Bublé met a man named Bob Burns who was impressed by the young singer’s talent and charisma. Burns went on to help Bublé land a record deal with his first independent label, and the rest was history. As Bublé acknowledges, “If I hadn’t said yes to those early opportunities, I may never have met Bob Burns and kickstarted my career in the way I did.”
Bublé’s Openness to Different Genres Paved the Way for Success
In addition to embracing any performance opportunity, Bublé also demonstrated an early openness to exploring different musical genres—an approach that allowed him to discover his signature sound. Having grown up listening to everything from rock to R&B, Bublé brought an eclectic influence to his own music. In the early days, he dabbled in genres like pop, rock, and jazz standards as he searched for his artistic identity.
This willingness to experiment served Bublé well. Through trying his hand at various styles, he was able to identify the genre he felt most connected to: classic American pop tunes from the Great American Songbook. Crooners like Frank Sinatra had always been an inspiration, and Bublé recognized he had a knack for interpreting those types of songs. As he explained, “I started to realize this is really what I love and what I connect with.”
Bublé’s open-minded approach to music also helped him appeal to a wide audience. Fans of jazz, pop, and classic tunes alike could find something to enjoy in his eclectic early albums. And by the time he zeroed in on the crooner sound, Bublé had developed a dedicated, cross-genre following primed for his breakthrough. As music journalist Mark Edward Nero observed, “Bublé’s willingness to experiment with different styles early on allowed him to discover his niche, while also cultivating a diverse fanbase.”
Perhaps most importantly, Bublé’s openness to genres beyond his signature style has kept his career fresh and allowed for creative growth. Even on recent albums, he continues to put his spin on songs spanning various eras and styles—from classic ballads to contemporary pop hits. This commitment to artistic exploration has kept Bublé’s music exciting and prevented him from getting pigeonholed in one box. It’s a testament to how embracing different influences served to broaden, rather than limit, his success over the long run.
David Foster’s Mentorship Proved Invaluable
While Bublé’s early hustle and open-minded approach helped get his foot in the door, it was a pivotal career moment when music icon David Foster took notice of the young singer. In 2001, Bublé had just released his independent debut album and was performing regularly in Vancouver clubs. During one show, Foster happened to be in the audience and was immediately impressed by Bublé’s talent and charisma.
Seeing star potential, Foster offered to mentor and produce Bublé’s next album—an opportunity that Bublé did not hesitate to accept. Working with Foster exposed Bublé to new levels of production quality and helped refine his artistic vision. But perhaps most importantly, Foster leveraged his extensive industry connections to promote Bublé to American record labels. This connection would prove transformative, as it led Bublé to sign with the major label Reprise Records.
Looking back, Bublé acknowledges that Foster’s guidance and support represented a major turning point. “David really believed in me and helped open so many doors,” he reflected. Foster’s mentorship not only helped Bublé craft his breakout self-titled album, but played a key role in securing the platform needed for widespread success. Foster’s production elevated Bublé’s artistry to a new level, while also introducing him to the people and opportunities that would launch his career internationally.
Bublé’s willingness to accept Foster’s guidance showed maturity and ambition beyond his years. Where some artists may have been hesitant about ceding creative control, Bublé recognized the value in learning from an established master like Foster. That openness to mentorship is something Bublé credits as instrumental to his development and success. As he put it, saying yes to Foster’s offer “changed my life forever.”
Collaborations Boosted Bublé’s Profile and Credibility
In addition to mentorship, Bublé has demonstrated an ongoing openness to collaboration that has paid major dividends for his career. Some of his most memorable performances have come through sharing the stage with legendary artists from Barbara Streisand to Tony Bennett. But in the early days, one collaboration in particular helped elevate Bublé’s stature and introduce him to new audiences—his 2003 duet with Celine Dion on “I’ve Got the World on a String.”
Singing with the biggest female artist in the world at the time, Bublé held his own alongside Dion’s powerhouse vocals. The exposure from such a high-profile pairing was invaluable for an up-and-coming artist. Even more so, sharing the stage with Dion lent credibility to Bublé and signaled he belonged in the major leagues. As music journalist Tom Moon observed, “Performing with Celine Dion showed the world that Bublé was no novelty—he truly had the chops to succeed alongside the greats.”
Since then, Bublé has continued putting his spin on duets with legends from Tony Bennett to Willie Nelson. These collaborations have further cemented his status among elite crooners. They’ve also introduced his classic sound to new generations and fans of his collaborators. Bublé’s willingness to collaborate, rather than insisting on flying solo, has paid off in terms of exposure, credibility boosts and artistic growth over the course of his career. As he puts it, “I’ve always embraced opportunities to work with artists I admire. It’s how I continue challenging myself and connecting with new audiences.”
Reviving the Great American Songbook Paid Off
When Bublé released his self-titled debut album in 2003, the music industry was favoring hip hop, rock and pop-punk sounds. So-called “adult contemporary” artists leaning into classic American standards were considered past their prime. But rather than follow trends, Bublé had the foresight and confidence to revive the Great American Songbook—a gambit that would prove hugely influential and financially successful.
Where others may have doubted the commercial viability of standards, Bublé recognized this classic style was his musical soul. He fell in love with crooners like Frank Sinatra from a young age and felt these timeless tunes deserved a new lease on life. So he leaned into his retro influences full force, crafting polished, big-band arrangements of songs like “Fever” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” His throwback sound stood out starkly amidst his pop and rock peers.
As it turned out, Bublé’s retro approach was ahead of its time. His self-titled debut was a sleeper hit that eventually sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Subsequent albums like “It’s Time” and “Crazy Love” also achieved diamond status based on standards. Bublé singlehandedly revived public interest in this classic American songbook and helped usher in a new generation of crooners. His embrace of this nostalgic style proved massively commercially successful in the long run.
More than just a commercial force, Bublé helped restore standards to their rightful place as an art form. As music critic Tom Moon wrote, “Bublé honored these songs’ deep roots and introduced them to new audiences with a fresh perspective.” By reviving this golden era of music
