Groban grew up in Southern California and enjoyed performing as a child. He became more serious about his craft when he attended the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and began studying voice in earnest. His vocal coach was acquainted with record producer-composer David Foster and when Foster put out a call for singers for the inaugural of California Governor Gray Davis, Groban was one of the lucky ones tapped to perform. A month later when opera singer Andrea Bocelli could not attend the rehearsals for the 1999 telecast of the Grammy Awards, Foster asked Groban to step in and perform the nominated song "The Prayer" with Celine Dion. Although Bocelli made it in time to appear live on camera, Groban caught the attention of Grammy host Rosie O'Donnell, who invited the teenager to appear on her syndicated talk show. Meanwhile, Foster continue to call on him for appearances at various industry-related functions and fund-raisers. At one, Groban was spotted David E. Kelley who was impressed enough to create the role of Malcolm Wyatt for the rising talent. Indeed, his appearance in that episode of "Ally McBeal" proved so popular, Kelley brought the character back in December 2001 for a particularly poignant holiday-themed episode that dealt with moving on after a tragedy. Once again, Groban performed a song (this time the ballad "To Where You Are") and audiences were entranced. Sales of his debut album spiked and the ascendant talent was courted by various producers. He appeared on the 2001 CBS variety special "A Home For the Holidays With Mariah Carey" and was selected to perform at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.