Iowa musician relishes rare chance to perform with David Foster at Hoyt Sherman Place

Singing while accompanied by David Foster was the last thing Des Moines local Dave Wagner expected to happen when he sat down to listen to the 16-time Grammy Award winner and Katharine McPhee perform on Tuesday at Hoyt Sherman Place.

An opportunity of a lifetime, Wagner was selected to sing a song of his choice while Foster played the piano. At first, the nerves overtook Wagner. But, before he knew it, he was handed a mic and was exchanging banter with the music legend.

"I have known who David Foster is my whole life," Wagner told the Register on Wednesday. "As an artist, I would rather get on stage in front of 5,000 people than sing for five of my peers, and singing for David Foster is arguably the biggest peer you could ever sing for."

Wagner decided to sing "Since I Fell For You." As soon as Wagner sang the first note, he fell back into his performing ways and wasn't nervous. Before moving to Iowa, Wagner used to sing in Chicago and New York.

"It's been something that I have really missed," Wagner said. "As soon as the first note came out of my mouth, I was like 'this is amazing.'"

At one point of the karaoke bit, Foster paused Wagner and asked him to hold one of the highest notes of the song. Wagner just went along with it causing the whole crowd to cheer for him. Wagner surprised himself when he sang the note and for good reason. One of his friends told him he managed to hit a high C.

"If would have known that was a high C, there is no way hell I would have tried to hit that," Wagner said jokingly.

Chance performance in Des Moines with David Foster helps Dave Wagner reignite performing career

As soon as Wagner stood up at the end of the show, people started walking over to compliment him. On his way out the door, Wagner and his wife, Lisa, were invited backstage to meet Foster. Wagner joked with Foster if he ever needed a 50-year-old vocalist, he could be the guy.

Since his performance on Tuesday, Wagner has received emails, texts and calls complimenting his singing skills. Wagner hopes to reenter the performance world. He recently created a TikTok account (@groove424) in hopes of kick-starting his performing career again.

"I want to get a live show around town," Wagner said. "And I would say based on the audience's reaction, I would probably do all right if I can get the word out."

Who is David Foster and Katharine McPhee?

Foster and McPhee married in 2019. They have one son named Rennie.

Foster is a musician, songwriter, composer, producer and recorder. Born in British Columbia, Foster got his start in a pop group called Skylark. He went on to write songs for megastar artists such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Barbra Streisand, according to People. Foster was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010.

McPhee is a singer and songwriter who rose to fame in 2006 as a runner-up on "American Idol," according to People. She is also an actress and has played roles in the TV series "Scorpion" and "Smash."

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Watch David Foster invite Iowan to perform at Hoyt Sherman Place