Nov 13, 2009 9:13 pm US/Eastern
Man Brings Dream To Life Through Benefit Concert
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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A concert benefit for the University of Maryland Medical System this week is helping one man, who wouldn't take no for an answer, on the path to realizing his dream.
CBS
A concert benefit for the University of Maryland Medical System this week is truly one of a kind.
Pat Warren reports one man, who wouldn't take no for an answer, is on the path to realizing his dream.
The star of the show plays down his battle with thyroid cancer.
"Yeah, I mean in November, I was very lucky. It's the kind that they can eradicate," said Chip Weinman.
He plays down his battle of the bulge.
"I had lost 75 pounds with gastric bypass surgery," he said.
What gets a rise out of Weinman is playing the stage.
"The whole idea of the show is, 'Who is this guy?'" said Weinman, 62.
The political lobbyist is taking the stage at the Hippodrome Saturday to launch what he hopes will be a successful pop music singing career.
"I'm not trying to be a poster child. I mean I've really been fortunate. If I weren't a lobbyist and knew all kinds of people, and got the ball rolling and created kind of a snowballing effect -- I mean this thing should never have happened. It's impossible," said Weinman.
It's his first ever performance, aside from singing the national anthem at Orioles games.
He's arranged to have Sheena Easton join him and public television to record it for future broadcast, with money from the ticket sales going to the University of Maryland Medical System.
His quest for stardom started when a vocal coach told him he was too old to start a music career.
"There's big named managers, they're giving notes to everybody except me," said Weinman. "He said, 'You? What do you want to be when you grow up? You'd be dead before a record company gets its money back,'" said Weinman.
Pop music stardom ahead or not, Weinman's story of overcoming the odds is reason enough for a man to sing.
"Under the Covers...Timeless Love Songs," featuring Chip Weinman and guest Sheena Easton, is at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Hipppodrome Theatre.
Tickets are $32-$52. Proceeds benefit the University of Maryland Medical System. For tickets, call 410-547-7328.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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