James Fox (singer)
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James Fox, real name James Mullett, (born April 6, 1976 in Cardiff, South Wales) is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist.
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[edit] Biography
Fox grew up in the Welsh village of Bargoed. Music was his passion from an early age inspired by Sting and Billy Joel. At the age of seven he started piano lessons, and later learned to play the guitar and drums.
[edit] Professional career
After leaving Heolddu Comprehensive School, James worked for twelve years, (both under his real name and the name "Nick James") as a singer on cruise ships and in pubs and clubs. James joined up with Kevin Simm and they formed the band Force 5, working mainly on Blackpool's Golden Mile. Kevin went on to join Liberty X (via Popstars) and recommended James to their management company Hyperactive. He was signed up as a solo artist, also becoming a professional backing and support singer for other acts such as Liberty X, Ultra and Wet Wet Wet. He was also a popular entertainer with the UK armed forces in Bosnia, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.
In 2003, he took part in the BBC Fame Academy reality television programme in the United Kingdom which offered a record contract to the winner. The students attempted to convince viewers to vote to keep them in each week — he didn't win the show, but in coming a respectable 5th it raised his profile and presented him with new career opportunities.
[edit] Eurovision
His first notable solo achievement as a musical artist was representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song Hold on to Our Love which reached number 13 in the UK charts. He did not win, finishing just 16th out of 24 finalists with 29 points. However, in contrast to Jemini's near-legendary meltdown on stage in the previous year's contest, James had in fact performed strongly. Familiar hackles were thus raised in the UK about apparent 'block voting' by certain countries, which this time seemed more blatant than ever. James himself alluded to this point in interviews after the contest, remarking that his own favourite example was Monaco's awarding of maximum points to France. He did not mention, however, that Ireland scored all of its points from its closest neighbour, the UK.
[edit] Musical theatre
In 2004 James went on to play Judas in the Bill Kenwright touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar to good reviews. While in the show, Tim Rice saw him in the role and was so impressed by his performance he recommended him for the role of the 'Piano Player' in the Billy Joel musical Movin' Out in America. James was successful in his audition, his return flight cancelled as he went straight in to rehearsals with Billy Joel's band. James made his debut in the show on Broadway 6 April 2005, by coincidence his birthday, and received a vocal standing ovation at all three shows he did there. He joined the touring production in Houston to similar acclaim, before setting off to the Falklands to entertain the British troops. From July 2005 James re-joined the touring production of Movin' Out, to take up the role of the 'Piano Player' once more, before heading on with the show to Toronto, Canada in December 2005.
In March 2006, James returned to his native UK the take up the same role of the "Piano Man" in the European premiere of Movin' Out at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre. After taking a break from musical theatre to write and record his own new material, he rejoined the American tour in October 2006.
[edit] Live performances
On December 31, 2003 he performed live at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, singing a cover of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers
In Spring 2004 he supported Lulu and and Wet Wet Wet on tour.
In April 2004, James was invited by Caerphilly MP, Wayne David, to sing Britain's Eurovision entry live at the House of Commons, and also to perform at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Meet the Neighbours Festival before the Minister of State for Europe, Denis McShane. He was also invited to sing live at the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff. He performed "Hold On to Our Love" live on Top of the Pops on 30 April.
In summer 2004 he performed at a number of festivals including Mardi Gras at Loseley Park in Guildford, Big Buzz at Swansea and Pop into the Park 2004 at Swansea. Later that year he also appeared at the NEC Arena Birmingham and Wembley Stadium supporting Wet Wet Wet.
In July 2005 he co-presented the the Big Buzz concert at Rhyl for BBC Radio Wales, appeared at Music Mayhem in Bristol and supported Natasha Bedingfield at an open air concert in Sandwich.
He performed at the annual BBC Wales Children in Need charity concerts, both singing and presenting, in 2004 in Merthyr Tydfil, and in 2005 in Wrexham.
Throughout 2004 - 2006 James has continued to perform live to British troops on active service in Afghanistan, Bosnia, The Falkland Islands and Iraq. He so impressed the audiences in the Falklands that he was offered the once in a lifetime opportunity to fly in a Tornado F3.
[edit] Festival of Remembrance
In November 2004, in recognition of the work he had done with the Combined Services Entertainment organisation, he was invited to perform at the Royal British Legion Remembrance day Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, both in the afternoon and in the evening in the presence of The Queen. He performed "Don't Look Back In Anger", accompanying himself on the piano. The whole Festival was broadcast on both national radio and television.
In November 2006 he was invited to perform at the Remembrance Festival at the Royal Albert Hall for the second time. He opened the entertainment section of the festival with the emotional "Anthem" from the musical "Chess", where he was joined by the Welsh soprano, Katherine Jenkins, for the last verse. He also accompanied Chris de Burgh's version of the hymn Abide With Me on electric guitar.
[edit] References and external links
- James Fox Biog. BBC Wales
- BBC news - James wins MPs' Euro vote]
- Movin' Out Review, London Theatre Guide
- Combined Services Entertainment official website
- BBC Festival of Remembrance programme
- James Fox MySpace
[edit] Video clips
- Video clip on BBC Eurovision (Realplayer)
- CIN Videoclip (Realplayer)
[edit] Fan sites
| Preceded by Jemini |
UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 |
Succeeded by Javine |
