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ANDY ABRAHAM
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Andy Abraham has already had the chance to prove to the nation that he’s incredibly gifted. He won the hearts of over 9 million X-Factor viewers each week with his incredible vocal talents and endearing personality. The release of his first album The Impossible Dream made chart history selling 176,689 copies in its first week and reaching platinum status. Andy is now about to commence his first UK tour, release his second album, Soul Man and go for the highly coveted Christmas Number 1.
In a true rags-to-riches story, Andy was working as a dustbin man when he – or rather his wife Denise – applied for a certain TV show… “My wife forged my signature on the application form for The X-Factor because I was unsure about doing it initially, but obviously I’m really pleased she did it now! Even if I hadn’t done X Factor I would still have pursued music, but it has opened so many doors for me. It’s been incredible.”
The show enabled him to land a management deal with esteemed management & publishing company Global Talent Group (G4, Corinne Bailey Rae) and a well-deserved album deal with Sony BMG. “Getting the deal was incredible - a dream come true. It’s everything I’ve been aiming towards,” he smiles.
42 year-old Andy grew up surrounded by music, and he soon found himself soaking up the eclectic sounds around him. “My mum was a huge influence on me musically. She listened to everything from country to old-time reggae and soul, and I listened endlessly to what she played. We listened to a lot of jazz, funk and soul too, so a real variety of styles. I still love a wide range of music now - everything from Stevie Wonder to Robbie Williams to Donny Hathaway and Fleetwood Mac.”
Andy discovered that he had a natural ability for singing from a young age, but it would be some time before the British public would discover just how much he had to offer. However, as he grew older his desire to sing grew stronger and stronger and he soon found himself on stage in front of audiences of hundreds, taking part in singing competitions. “I used to go to the 291 club at the Hackney Empire. It was a big competition where you get up and sing in front of a crowd, and if you’re bad they soon let you know!”
It was the tragic death of his best friend in 1998, which gave Andy the final push he needed to throw himself head-long into the world of music. Andy decided to take the plunge and go to music college, so he quit his job as a printer and signed up to the Powerhouse in Acton. Andy’s biggest supporters are his devoted wife Denise and his two children Jacob, nine, and Tara, eleven. ”I take inspiration from a lot of things in my music, but my family are definitely at the fore of it,” he admits.
The making of his first album, The Impossible Dream was a truly defining moment as Andy was able to work with a 50 piece orchestra and producer extraordinaire Nigel Wright (Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Andrew Lloyd Webber). The first album certainly didn't disappoint fans with favourites from the live performances from X-Factor and fantastic original tracks. The album sold 176,689 in its first week of sales making the album the biggest sales for a No. 2 album in chart history.
The Unforgettable Tour (23rd Oct - 7th Nov 2006) sees Andy performing at 13 venues throughout the UK culminating in a special performance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Andy will be getting up close and personal with his fans and performing favourites from his X-Factor days including the breathtaking Me and Mrs Jones, hits from his first album, The Impossible Dream and will give a little taste of his new album. Andy is one of the UK's biggest and brightest talents and will fill every venue with performances straight from the heart. "I can't wait to go on tour. The great thing about X-Factor was performing live in front of an audience week in week out. I'm itching to get back on stage and see the audience react to me and my music."
Andy will come straight off stage to release his second album Soul Man. Soul Man, released 13th November, takes Andy back to his roots and captures hits from inspirational legends including Stevie Wonder, The Temptations & Smokey Robinson. Andy's velvet toned voice sits effortlessly in the Motown genre, and each song is filled with emotion and sincerity. "I really feel I was born to make this album. All the songs are the soundtrack to my life and I feel incredibly honoured to be given the chance to put my mark on these classics." The sophisticated approach to these tracks will cement Andy as one of Britain's most credible solo male artists.
Andy will finish 2006 with the release of his Christmas hit, December Brings Me Back to You. Andy has found a partner in crime in Michael Underwood (Entertainment Today Presenter) and they have teamed up to take on the GMTV challenge of the Christmas No 1 spot. December Brings Me Back To You is a nostalgic Christmas song reminiscent of the great Nat King Cole classics. "To me, the single is everything a Christmas song should be. Obviously it would be fantastic to go into the top 10, but my real dream is for this song to become part of the timeless Christmas song book."
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