Josh Groban Says David Foster Told Him He Was a ‘Little Flat’ When He First Met Him at 16 (Exclusive)

Before David Foster and Josh Groban became friends and frequent collaborators, they crossed paths when Groban was only 16 years old.

During an appearance at Toby Gad’s Songs you know podcast that premiered exclusively with PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 16, the “You Raise Me Up” singer revealed how he met Foster — and the one thing the legendary producer said to him in that moment.

“I met David Foster through a voice teacher I worked with in LA,” Groban, 43, tells Gad of Foster, 75.

“David Foster called him at one point and said, ‘I’m in a real jam.’ I’m doing a concert for the new governor of California and Michael Crawford from Phantom of the Opera had just withdrawn. Who do you have that’s young, who’s free, who wants to come and sing a song from Phantom?'”

Related: Josh Groban Jokes David Foster, Who Just Turned 75, ‘Had No Gray Hair When I Met Him’ (Exclusive)

At the time, Groban didn’t know who he was, but his vocal coach suggested he submit a tape with his fellow students.

“He picked my tape and I went and I sang on that thing and that’s how I met him,” he says.

When the day of the performance came, Groban and Foster met in the rehearsal room. To his surprise, Foster walked up to him and gave him a quick critique.

“David comes in and he’s like, ‘Hey guys, hey, how are you.’ Everyone gives him a hug and he kisses the ring and he comes up to me and he’s like, ‘Hey man, David Foster nice to meet you you, you were a little flat on that recording, but I think you’ll do a lot better.” for the live thing.'”

Groban’s response was “thank you” – and that was the beginning of their friendship.

When asked if he ever went back and listened to the tape, Groban says he didn’t — but he did “make sure” he wasn’t “flat on the show.”

Related: Josh Groban Says He And David Foster Are A ‘Musical Married Couple,’ But They ‘Sometimes Take Little Breaks’ (Exclusive)

The entire episode has an official premiere on Tuesday, December 17 at 11 A.M here. In the podcast, Gad, the hitmaker behind John Legendis “All of Me” and Beyonce‘If I Were a Boy’ features in-depth interviews with music industry figures to tell the untold stories behind iconic songs.

In September, Groban opened up to PEOPLE about his friendship with Foster in light of his 75th birthday.

“I was 16 when I met David and I was just so new and so young,” Groban said at the time. “Having someone like David as a mentor is just a 24/7 masterclass every single day. Someone with his musicianship (and) his understanding of singers and the recording process – he discovered and nurtured some of my favorite singers of all time.”

He added: “Working with him was tough, but it was the training that got me to where I am today. Sometimes, like any musical couple, we’ll take little breaks and we’ll get back together, but we always find each other, and he’s always been a great support.”

Read the original article about People