James Blunt
James Blunt, the renowned British singer-songwriter, has captivated audiences around the world with his heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice. Born James Hillier Blount on February 22, 1974, in Tidworth, Wiltshire, Blunt has made a significant impact on the music industry with his emotionally charged songs that resonate with listeners of all ages. Best known for his chart-topping hits like ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover,’ Blunt’s music evokes deep emotions and connects with people on a profound level.
With a career spanning over two decades, James Blunt has established himself as a versatile artist who effortlessly blends pop, folk, and acoustic elements in his music. His distinctive voice and honest songwriting have earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base worldwide. Beyond his musical talents, Blunt is also a former British Army officer, adding a unique dimension to his persona. Despite his immense success, James Blunt remains humble and down-to-earth, using his platform to raise awareness for various social causes and charitable endeavors. Whether performing in sold-out arenas or intimate acoustic sessions, James Blunt continues to enchant audiences with his raw talent and genuine passion for music.
Passenger
A multi-award winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter, although still known for his busking, he made the journey from street corners to stadiums with ‘Let Her Go’, which reached number 1 in 19 countries, has now notched more than six billions streams globally and is the 2nd most Shazamed song of all time. Yet ‘Let Her Go’ is just one song from a catalogue that extends across 15 albums in 14 years.
The consistency of his output, and his authenticity both on and off stage, has won Passenger a global fanbase and he continues to tour the world headlining some of its most famous stages.
Faith Hill
Faith Hill has been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for more than twenty years, making significant strides in both country and pop music. Her remarkable success includes breaking chart records with numerous #1 singles and achieving crossover triumphs with hits like “This Kiss,” “Breathe,” “The Way You Love Me,” “Cry,” and “There You’ll Be.” Faith has set a remarkable standard with her albums FAITH, BREATHE, and CRY, becoming the first female artist to debut three consecutive albums at #1 on both Billboard’s Top 100 and Country charts. Collaborating as a co-producer on these albums and others like FIREFLIES, THE HITS, and JOY TO THE WORLD, Faith has sold over 30 million albums globally, garnered 14 #1 hits, and earned numerous accolades, including 5 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 3 People’s Choice Awards, 3 Country Music Association Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 4 Billboard Music Awards.
Aside from her illustrious career, Faith Hill shares a beautiful family life with her husband Tim McGraw, with whom she has three daughters. The couple resides in the vibrant city of Nashville, further embracing their love for music and artistry in a nurturing environment. Faith’s influence extends beyond her musical accomplishments, as she continues to inspire and captivate audiences with her timeless melodies and profound storytelling. With a legacy that resonates with millions around the world, Faith Hill remains a true icon of the music industry, symbolizing talent, dedication, and unwavering passion for the art of music.
Fine Young Cannibals
When Birmingham’s The Beat disbanded in 1983, few would have predicted that bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox would eventually form one of the most successful groups of the decade. The duo later brought in former Akrylykz member Roland Gift, whose unique vocals became synonymous with Fine Young Cannibals. Their debut single, ‘Johnny Come Home,’ released in 1985, quickly rose to number eight on the UK charts, setting the stage for their self-titled debut album to further establish Fine Young Cannibals as a powerhouse in British music.
In 1989, Fine Young Cannibals reached international stardom with their second album, ‘The Raw & The Cooked.’ Collaborating with engineer/producer David Z at Prince’s Paisley Park, they produced timeless hits such as ‘She Drives Me Crazy,’ a chart-topping sensation across the globe during the 1980s. Despite their remarkable success, the band, rooted in the punk ethos, felt uneasy with the overwhelming commercialism of pop stardom. Following unsuccessful attempts to record a third album in the early ’90s, Fine Young Cannibals made the poignant decision to disband, leaving behind a rich legacy of beloved pop classics from the era.
Lauren Daigle
Lauren Daigle is a two-time GRAMMY, seven-time Billboard Music Award, and four-time American Music Award winner. Her platinum debut, How Can It Be, produced three number one songs including GRAMMY nominated “Trust in You.” Her sophomore release Look Up Child, and second platinum album, broke geographic and musical boundaries. Look Up Child, earned Daigle a second GRAMMY Award and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. It featured her triple-platinum smash “You Say,” the longest-running No. 1 song to appear on any Billboard Hot chart. It also produced the platinum-selling “Rescue,” and gold certified “Still Rolling Stones” and “Look Up Child.” Daigle’s ability to connect with her audiences has helped make her the fastest-selling new artist (of her genre) in the past decade and gave her soulful, authentic, vocal power a worldwide audience. She’s amassed a billion worldwide streams and sold-out headline shows around the globe.
New single “Thank God I Do” out now. “Lauren Daigle” – The New Album – Available 05-12
Lee Ann Womack
Recorded at Houston’s historic SugarHill Recording Studios and produced by Lee Ann Womack’s husband and fellow Texan, Frank Liddell, THE LONELY, THE LONESOME AND THE GONE marks the culmination of a journey that began with Womack’s 2005 CMA AOTY ‘There’s More Where That Come From,’ moving her toward music that celebrates her roots and adds to the canon. It also underscores Womack’s songwriting voice.
Womack and Liddell took a band to SugarHill, one of the country’s oldest continually operating studio spaces. The studio gave birth to George Jones’ earliest hits, as well as recordings from Lightnin’ Hopkins, the Sir Douglas Quintet and Willie Nelson. Womack and Liddell found a perfect group of musicians, players who became a one-headed band. Bassist Glenn Worf (Alan Jackson, Bob Seger, Tammy Wynette), drummer Jerry Roe, guitarists Ethan Ballinger, Adam Wright (Alan Jackson, Solomon Burke) and Waylon Payne (son of Sammi Smith and Willie Nelson’s longtime guitarist Jody Payne) formed the SugarHill gang. Engineer/co-producer Michael McCarthy, known for his production work with Spoon, brought vintage gear from his Austin studio; help capture a sharper sound for sessions recorded entirely to analog tape.
In Houston with all its history, its eccentricity, its diversity and its lack of pretense those like-minded lunatics found where they could flourish. “We all felt we weren’t going someplace just to make a record,” Womack says. “We were going someplace to make a great record.”
Eagles
The Eagles, the legendary American rock band of the 1970s, stands tall as the epitome of mainstream success. With record-breaking sales and concert attendance, their albums like ‘Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)’ and ‘Hotel California’ have etched their names in music history. The band skillfully encapsulated the evolving spirit of the ’70s, transitioning from the country-rock vibe of the ’60s to the luxurious pop/rock sound synonymous with Southern California by the late ’70s. Co-led by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, along with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, their journey began as the supporting act for Linda Ronstadt in 1971. The magical synergy they shared on stage and in the studio prompted the formation of the Eagles, marking the commencement of their musical saga.
Rooted in Los Angeles, the band’s origins trace back to the convergence of four talented musicians from different corners of the country. Randy Meisner, a singer and bassist, made his way to L.A. in 1964, initially part of a band called Soul Survivors, later joining Poco and the Stone Canyon Band. Bernie Leadon, a versatile musician, ventured to L.A. in 1967, contributing his talents to various bands like Hearts and Flowers, Dillard & Clark, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Don Henley, a singer and drummer, arrived in L.A. in 1970, following his stint with Shiloh and thereafter becoming a pivotal force in the Eagles. Glenn Frey, after honing his musical skills in his hometown and supporting artists like Bob Seger, transitioned to L.A. in 1968, ultimately co-founding the Eagles alongside Henley, Leadon, and Meisner.
The Eagles’ illustrious journey witnessed a series of milestones that cemented their status as icons of the rock genre. From the early success of their debut album to the chart-topping hits from ‘One of These Nights’ and ‘Hotel California,’ the band’s musical evolution resonated with audiences worldwide. Despite lineup changes and individual pursuits, the Eagles’ collective prowess continued to shine through each album and tour, reaffirming their place in the annals of music history. As they embarked on farewell tours like ‘The Long Goodbye Tour’ with a revamped lineup, the Eagles bid a poignant adieu to their adoring fans, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Peter Cetera
While best known as the longtime frontman for Chicago, singer Peter Cetera also enjoyed success as a solo performer. Born September 13, 1944 in the Windy City, Cetera was in a band called the Exceptions when in late 1967 he was recruited by another aspiring group, then called Chicago Transit Authority, to play bass. By the early ’70s, Chicago was among the most popular acts in America, their brand of muscular jazz-rock spawning such major hits as ‘Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?’ and ‘Saturday in the Park,’ many of them featuring Cetera on vocals. In 1976 he penned the gossamer ballad ‘If You Leave Me Now,’ and when it hit number one, most of Chicago’s subsequent work followed in the same soft rock style. Although the band’s fortunes dwindled over the remainder of the decade, in 1982 Chicago returned to the top of the charts with ‘Hard to Say I’m Sorry’; several more smashes, including ‘Hard Habit to Break’ and ‘You’re the Inspiration,’ were to follow.
Although Cetera recorded his eponymously titled solo debut in 1981, he remained with Chicago full-time until 1985. Upon quitting the band, he soon returned to the top of the charts with ‘The Glory of Love,’ the first single from his album Solitude/Solitaire as well as the theme to the film The Karate Kid, Part II; that same year he scored another number one smash, ‘The Next Time I Fall,’ a duet with Amy Grant. A year later he produced Agnetha Fältskog’s I Stand Alone, and upon resurfacing in 1988 with One More Story, Cetera scored with another duet, ‘After All,’ this one recorded with Cher. After a four-year hiatus, he issued World Falling Down, his final release for Warner Bros. One Clear Voice was released in 1995, and in 1997 Cetera issued You’re the Inspiration, a collection of past hits and new material. Cetera stepped out of the limelight for a few years to enjoy his life and his family, and returned in 2001 with Another Perfect World. The holiday offering You Just Gotta Love Christmas followed in 2004. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles emerged as a notable figure in the music industry with the release of her debut album, ‘Little Voice,’ in 2007. Her distinctive style, characterized by audaciously melodic songcraft, was exemplified in the hit single ‘Love Song,’ which reimagined traditional singer/songwriter elements for a contemporary audience. This fusion of nostalgic charm and modern creativity propelled Bareilles to become a prominent singer/songwriter of her era, achieving chart-topping success with songs like ‘King of Anything’ and ‘Brave.’ Beyond her solo career, Bareilles ventured into Broadway, composing music for acclaimed productions like ‘Waitress’ and ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ earning accolades such as Tony and Emmy nominations.
Hailing from Eureka, California, Bareilles’ musical journey began in local choirs and theaters before she honed her skills at UCLA. Immersing herself in the vibrant arts scene, she embarked on a path of self-discovery through poetry and songwriting. After signing with Epic Records in 2005, Bareilles released her breakthrough album ‘Little Voice,’ which resonated with audiences through introspective themes of relationships and self-assurance. The album’s standout track, ‘Love Song,’ propelled Bareilles to stardom, paving the way for extensive tours and subsequent albums like ‘Kaleidoscope Heart’ and ‘The Blessed Unrest.’ Her diverse talents led her to Broadway, where she not only starred in productions like ‘Waitress’ but also showcased her songwriting prowess in projects that garnered critical acclaim and Grammy recognition.
Spandau Ballet
Spandau Ballet, one of the leading New Romantic bands of the early ’80s, gained immense popularity with numerous British hits and the iconic American hit ‘True.’ Emerging as a successful group from the new wave era, they outshone most other New Romantic bands, with only Duran Duran enjoying greater commercial success. Initially known for their synthesized dance-pop sound, the London-based quintet transitioned from a Roxy Music-inspired style to a more refined white soul act influenced by Bryan Ferry.
The band, formed in 1979 by the Kemp brothers, Martin and Gary, along with Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, and John Keeble, quickly rose to fame in the vibrant London nightclub scene known as ‘New Romantic.’ With their flamboyant fashion sense and makeup, Spandau Ballet captured the essence of the era and caught the eye of Chris Blackwell, head of Island Records. Despite rejecting a contract offer from Island Records, they established their own label, Reformation, and achieved success with hits like ‘To Cut a Long Story Short’ and ‘Musclebound.’
The Human League
Synth pop’s first international superstars, the Human League were among the earliest and most innovative bands to break into the pop mainstream on a wave of synthesizers and electronic rhythms, their marriage of infectious melodies and state-of-the-art technology proving enormously influential on countless acts following in their wake. The group was formed in Sheffield, England in 1977 by synth players Martyn Ware and Ian Marsh, who’d previously teamed as the duo Dead Daughters. Following a brief tenure as the Future, a period during which they added and lost synthesizer player Adi Newton and enlisted vocalist Philip Oakey, they rechristened themselves the Human League. The trio recorded a demo and played their first live dates. The slide presentations of “director of visuals” Adrian Wright quickly became a key component of their performances. After they signed with the indie label Fast, the Human League issued their first single, “Being Boiled,” in 1978. A minor underground hit, it was followed by a tour in support of Siouxsie & the Banshees. After a 1979 EP, the instrumental The Dignity of Labour, the group released its first full-length effort, Reproduction, a dark, dense work influenced largely by Kraftwerk. Travelogue followed the next year and reached the U.K. Top 20. Still, internal tensions forced Martyn Ware and Marsh out of the group in late 1980, at which time they formed Heaven 17. Their departure forced Wright to learn to play the synthesizer; at the same time, Philip Oakey recruited bassist Ian Burden as well as a pair of teenagers, Susanne Sulley and Joanne Catherall, to handle additional vocal duties.
The first single from the revamped Human League, 1981’s “Boys and Girls,” reached the British Top 50. Recorded with producer Martin Rushent, the slicker follow-up “Sound of the Crowd” fell just shy of the Top Ten. Their next single, “Love Action,” reached number three, and after adding ex-Rezillo Jo Callis, the League issued “Open Your Heart,” another hit. Still, their true breakthrough was “Don’t You Want Me.” The classic single, as well as parent album Dare!, both topped their respective charts in England, and went on to become major hits in the U.S. as well. A tour of the States followed, but new music was extremely slow in forthcoming. After a Rushent remix disc, Love and Dancing, the Human League finally issued 1983’s Fascination! EP and scored a pair of hits with “Mirror Man” and “(Keep Feeling) Fascination.” The much-anticipated full-length Hysteria finally surfaced in mid-1984, heralding a more forceful sound than earlier Human League releases. The record failed to match the massive success of Dare!, however, with the single “The Lebanon” earning insignificant airplay. The group soon went on indefinite hiatus, and Philip Oakey recorded a 1985 solo LP with famed producer Giorgio Moroder titled simply Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder. To the surprise of many, the Human League resurfaced in 1986 with Crash, produced by the duo of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The plaintive lead single “Human” soon topped the U.S. charts, but the group didn’t capitalize on the comeback success and disappeared from the charts for the remainder of the decade.
When the Human League finally returned in 1990 with Romantic?, their commercial momentum had again dissipated. The single “Heart Like a Wheel” barely managed to rise into the Top 40. The record was the band’s last with longtime label Virgin. As a trio consisting of Philip Oakey, Sulley, and Catherall, they ultimately signed with the EastWest label and teamed with producer Ian Stanley for 1995’s Octopus. The album went largely unnoticed both at home and overseas, with the single “Stay with Me Tonight” issued solely in the U.K. A resurgent interest in synth pop and post-punk during the early 2000s enabled the group’s 2001 album Secrets, which saw the group update its early sound, considerable press coverage. In 2002, previously unreleased recordings of the Future and the embryonic Human League were compiled for The Golden Hour of the Future. Steady touring continued for several years, as documented on Live at the Dome. Additionally, there were performances of Dare! in its entirety and a Steel City Tour with Heaven 17 and fellow Sheffield natives ABC. The Human League remained connected to their local roots in the studio as well. Credo, released in 2011, was produced by fellow Sheffield natives I Monster. The career-spanning anthology A Very British Synthesizer Group was issued five years later, promoted with performance dates across Europe.
The Beach Boys
Beginning their career as the most popular surf band in the nation, the Beach Boys finally emerged by 1966 as America’s preeminent pop group, the only act able to challenge (for a brief time) the overarching success of the Beatles with both mainstream listeners and the critical community. From their 1961 debut with the regional hit “Surfin’,” the three Wilson brothers — Brian, Dennis, and Carl — plus cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine constructed the most intricate, gorgeous harmonies ever heard from a pop band. With Brian’s studio proficiency growing by leaps and bounds during the mid-’60s, the Beach Boys also proved one of the best-produced groups of the ’60s, exemplified by their 1966 peak with the Pet Sounds LP and the number one single “Good Vibrations.” Though Brian’s escalating drug use and obsessive desire to trump the Beatles (by recording the perfect LP statement) eventually led to a nervous breakdown after he heard Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the group soldiered on long into the ’70s and ’80s, with Brian only an inconsistent participant. The band’s post-1966 material is often maligned (if it’s recognized at all), but the truth is the Beach Boys continued to make great music well into the ’70s. Displayed best on 1970’s Sunflower, each member revealed individual talents never fully developed during the mid-’60s — Carl became a solid, distinctive producer and Brian’s replacement as nominal bandleader, Mike continued to provide a visual focus as the frontman for live shows, and Dennis developed his own notable songwriting talents.
The origins of the group lie in Hawthorne, California, a southern suburb of Los Angeles situated close to the Pacific coast. The three sons of a part-time song plugger and occasionally abusive father, Brian, Dennis, and Carl grew up a just few miles from the ocean — though only Dennis had any interest in surfing itself. The three often harmonized together as youths, spurred on by Brian’s fascination with ’50s vocal acts like the Four Freshmen and the Hi-Lo’s. Their cousin Mike Love often joined in on the impromptu sessions, and the group gained a fifth with the addition of Brian’s high-school football teammate Al Jardine. His parents helped rent instruments (with Brian on bass, Carl on guitar, and Dennis on drums) and studio time to record “Surfin’,” a novelty number written by Brian and Mike. The single, initially released in 1961 on Candix and billed to “the Pendletones” (a musical paraphrase of the popular Pendleton shirt), prompted a little national chart action and gained the renamed Beach Boys a contract with Capitol. The group’s negotiator with the label, the Wilsons’ father, Murray, also took over as manager for the band. Before the release of any material for Capitol, however, Jardine left the band to attend college in the Midwest. A friend of the Wilsons, David Marks, replaced him.
Finally, in mid-1962 the Beach Boys released their major-label debut, Surfin’ Safari. The title track, a more accomplished novelty single than its predecessor, hit the Top 20 and helped launch the surf rock craze just beginning to blossom around Southern California (thanks to artists like Dick Dale, Jan & Dean, the Chantays, and dozens more). A similarly themed follow-up, Surfin’ U.S.A., hit the Top Ten in early 1963 before Jardine returned from school and resumed his place in the group. By that time, the Beach Boys had recorded their first two albums, a pair of 12-track collections that added a few novelty songs to the hits they were packaged around. Though Capitol policy required the group to work with a studio producer, Brian quickly took over the sessions and began expanding the group’s range beyond simple surf rock.