It took a flick of a coin to change Paul Potts’ [Previously, A Cellphone Salesman] entire life. Heads he entered Britain’s Got Talent, Tails he didn’t. The rest as they say is history.The last two years have been an epic journey of incredible hard work and dedication.
His debut album One Chance sold over three and a half million albums, rocketed to the number one spot in 15 countries (including the UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Mexico) and stormed to the top 10 in a further eight. In the UK, his album outsold the entire top 10 collectively in its first week.January 2008 saw him embark on a world tour with 55 dates but as his popularity soared more dates were added and he completed over 100 sell out shows in concert halls, arenas and stadiums around the globe.
Winner of ‘Best International Artist 2009’ at the prestigious Echo Awards in Germany, Paul has also become a sensation. In Germany, Paul has spent an astounding 7 weeks at #1 and 23 weeks in the Top 10.
Paul has come a long way since March 17th 2007 when he awkwardly shuffled on to the audition stage and performed his spine tingling rendition of Nessun Dorma { http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessun_dorma }. From zero to hero in 60 seconds, he captivated the hearts of millions and opened the exclusive world of opera to many.
“When I stepped on to the stage the crowd were baying for blood. The act before had been a disaster. As I walked to the mark, in my £35 suit, I just wanted to turn around and run away.” But he didn’t run. Instead he summoned every ounce of strength, wowed the audience and judges and more than 13 million viewers watched him win the first series of Britain’s Got Talent on ITV.
Paul’s dream of singing began as a child growing up in Bristol with his parents and three siblings, “At 6 years old I wanted to be a vicar, I thought they had the best job in the world, being able to sing every Sunday to the congregation. I didn’t know about all the other work they did.” Bullied and taunted at school, he joined his local church choir and continued to fulfil his passion for singing as an escape from the playground abuse. Then, aged 16, he bought his first opera record. He fell in love instantly and to this day La Boheme is still his favourite. In 2000, Paul used his savings and winnings from a quiz show to spend three months in Italy, learning Opera and the language and realising a lifelong dream, to sing in front of his idol, Luciano Pavarotti.
They say bad luck occurs in 3’s and Paul was no exception. In short succession he fell ill with appendicitis, had a begnin tumour removed from his adrenal gland and whilst recuperating was knocked off his bike and broke his collarbone. With his beloved wife Julz by his side, Paul slipped into a depression and coupled with this, they were in dire straits financially. They were weeks away from bankruptcy when Paul saw the advert on his computer about a new talent show, Britain’s Got Talent.
Paul then made a decision that would change his life when he took a ten pence coin and flicked it in the air. It landed heads up and he sent in his application form and bravely turned up for the audition, “It still took courage to make it to the audition and actually walk on stage. I was so relieved when they said I could use the backing track that I had brought with me. I like being able to see the audience and sing for them, so I focused on that and not the judges and just sung.”
When Paul walked onto the stage Piers Morgan famously rolled his eyes in disbelief at what he saw before him. However as soon as Paul began to sing they were mesmerised and he had Amanda Holden in tears. Despite his nerves and bumbling manner on stage he stole the hearts of the nation when the show was televised and Paul became the most memorable contestant throughout the series as millions viewed his audition around the world even before the night of the final show.
Within days of winning Britain’s Got Talent, Paul was on a flight to New York to make a live appearance on ‘NBC today show ’ in Times Square, and a media frenzy surrounded him with networks vying for him to appear on international shows.
Despite worldwide success and the fact he is stopped daily for autographs walking down the streets in cities from Seoul to New York, Sydney to Hamburg, Paul still remains close to his roots. “I feel like I’m living on gifted time as an artist. You don’t own the time, it is given to you by your fans and public who buy your music and support you. For that I will never stop being grateful and I appreciate the journey I am on even more. In life you sometimes take a turn you weren’t expecting, you don’t know where it leads but you have to take that path. This is what happened with me and Britain’s Got Talent. I still don’t know where this wonderful journey is headed but I certainly appreciate every moment of it.
He admits he is his own harshest critic and always strives to be better than his last performance.
2009 is set to be just as frenetic as the last two and Paul couldn’t be happier. His second album ‘Passione’ will be released in Europe and the USA in April and the UK in June. Overflowing with his passionate, inimitable style combined with impeccable technique; Paul is set to touch more hearts with his enchanting, classical voice.
The new album has been almost a year in the making and showcases his stunning work. Working with an array of world acclaimed producers, composers and European orchestras, Paul returns with a new found confidence and vigour that leaves no doubt as to his incredible talent and shows he has risen to the latest challenge, “The second album is always a challenge, when your first is such a success you cannot be complacent and believe the second will do the same. There is more pressure, you have to work harder, be bigger, better, this is the same for every artist.”
‘Passione’ includes a mixture of original material along with breathtaking classics including the haunting ‘La Prima Volta (The first Time I saw your Face)’ and ‘Memory,’ the ageless classic written and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The album also features the showstopper ‘E Lucevan Le Stelle’, one of the most emotional songs in Puccini’s Opera, ‘Tosca’. The haunting melody and Bass clarinet in ‘E Lucevan Le Stelle’ are what drew Paul to the aria and is one of his all time favourites.
“There are many different flavours to this album, it is more classical than the first. I performed this on the world tour and it was so popular due to its energy. Also on the album is Un Giorno, which is a relaxing listen but ends in a flourish - people will recognise it immediately! Il Canto is so melodic, it starts with the harp and is guaranteed to stick in your mind”.
“I am unbelievably excited and proud of this album. I have worked with some amazing people in Europe to create a beautiful album full of the passion that I feel for my music. I love what I do and feel so incredibly fortunate to be able to continue and release a second album where I can share magnificent aria’s full of inspiration, energy and power.”
There will be a second world tour which will see him perform again in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.
Paul also hopes 2009 will be the year that he can renew his wedding vows after 6 years of marriage to his wonderful wife Julz and that the renovations on his new art deco house in Port Talbot, Wales will be completed.
“I have had the most amazing two years and the next year is lined up to be equally challenging. I love what I do and want to be able to continue for years to come. Experience is my best teacher and I love to challenge myself. I love to lose myself in the world of music and with Julz by my side, travelling the world and bringing opera to so many people I really am the luckiest man in the world. The stars were aligned the day I stepped on to the audition stage, Fate definitely stepped in.”
Not bad for the Bristol boy who failed his 0-Level Music exam
Source; http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artists/paul_potts/biog/
His debut album One Chance sold over three and a half million albums, rocketed to the number one spot in 15 countries (including the UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and Mexico) and stormed to the top 10 in a further eight. In the UK, his album outsold the entire top 10 collectively in its first week.January 2008 saw him embark on a world tour with 55 dates but as his popularity soared more dates were added and he completed over 100 sell out shows in concert halls, arenas and stadiums around the globe.
Winner of ‘Best International Artist 2009’ at the prestigious Echo Awards in Germany, Paul has also become a sensation. In Germany, Paul has spent an astounding 7 weeks at #1 and 23 weeks in the Top 10.
Paul has come a long way since March 17th 2007 when he awkwardly shuffled on to the audition stage and performed his spine tingling rendition of Nessun Dorma { http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nessun_dorma }. From zero to hero in 60 seconds, he captivated the hearts of millions and opened the exclusive world of opera to many.
“When I stepped on to the stage the crowd were baying for blood. The act before had been a disaster. As I walked to the mark, in my £35 suit, I just wanted to turn around and run away.” But he didn’t run. Instead he summoned every ounce of strength, wowed the audience and judges and more than 13 million viewers watched him win the first series of Britain’s Got Talent on ITV.
Paul’s dream of singing began as a child growing up in Bristol with his parents and three siblings, “At 6 years old I wanted to be a vicar, I thought they had the best job in the world, being able to sing every Sunday to the congregation. I didn’t know about all the other work they did.” Bullied and taunted at school, he joined his local church choir and continued to fulfil his passion for singing as an escape from the playground abuse. Then, aged 16, he bought his first opera record. He fell in love instantly and to this day La Boheme is still his favourite. In 2000, Paul used his savings and winnings from a quiz show to spend three months in Italy, learning Opera and the language and realising a lifelong dream, to sing in front of his idol, Luciano Pavarotti.
They say bad luck occurs in 3’s and Paul was no exception. In short succession he fell ill with appendicitis, had a begnin tumour removed from his adrenal gland and whilst recuperating was knocked off his bike and broke his collarbone. With his beloved wife Julz by his side, Paul slipped into a depression and coupled with this, they were in dire straits financially. They were weeks away from bankruptcy when Paul saw the advert on his computer about a new talent show, Britain’s Got Talent.
Paul then made a decision that would change his life when he took a ten pence coin and flicked it in the air. It landed heads up and he sent in his application form and bravely turned up for the audition, “It still took courage to make it to the audition and actually walk on stage. I was so relieved when they said I could use the backing track that I had brought with me. I like being able to see the audience and sing for them, so I focused on that and not the judges and just sung.”
When Paul walked onto the stage Piers Morgan famously rolled his eyes in disbelief at what he saw before him. However as soon as Paul began to sing they were mesmerised and he had Amanda Holden in tears. Despite his nerves and bumbling manner on stage he stole the hearts of the nation when the show was televised and Paul became the most memorable contestant throughout the series as millions viewed his audition around the world even before the night of the final show.
Within days of winning Britain’s Got Talent, Paul was on a flight to New York to make a live appearance on ‘NBC today show ’ in Times Square, and a media frenzy surrounded him with networks vying for him to appear on international shows.
Despite worldwide success and the fact he is stopped daily for autographs walking down the streets in cities from Seoul to New York, Sydney to Hamburg, Paul still remains close to his roots. “I feel like I’m living on gifted time as an artist. You don’t own the time, it is given to you by your fans and public who buy your music and support you. For that I will never stop being grateful and I appreciate the journey I am on even more. In life you sometimes take a turn you weren’t expecting, you don’t know where it leads but you have to take that path. This is what happened with me and Britain’s Got Talent. I still don’t know where this wonderful journey is headed but I certainly appreciate every moment of it.
He admits he is his own harshest critic and always strives to be better than his last performance.
2009 is set to be just as frenetic as the last two and Paul couldn’t be happier. His second album ‘Passione’ will be released in Europe and the USA in April and the UK in June. Overflowing with his passionate, inimitable style combined with impeccable technique; Paul is set to touch more hearts with his enchanting, classical voice.
The new album has been almost a year in the making and showcases his stunning work. Working with an array of world acclaimed producers, composers and European orchestras, Paul returns with a new found confidence and vigour that leaves no doubt as to his incredible talent and shows he has risen to the latest challenge, “The second album is always a challenge, when your first is such a success you cannot be complacent and believe the second will do the same. There is more pressure, you have to work harder, be bigger, better, this is the same for every artist.”
‘Passione’ includes a mixture of original material along with breathtaking classics including the haunting ‘La Prima Volta (The first Time I saw your Face)’ and ‘Memory,’ the ageless classic written and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. The album also features the showstopper ‘E Lucevan Le Stelle’, one of the most emotional songs in Puccini’s Opera, ‘Tosca’. The haunting melody and Bass clarinet in ‘E Lucevan Le Stelle’ are what drew Paul to the aria and is one of his all time favourites.
“There are many different flavours to this album, it is more classical than the first. I performed this on the world tour and it was so popular due to its energy. Also on the album is Un Giorno, which is a relaxing listen but ends in a flourish - people will recognise it immediately! Il Canto is so melodic, it starts with the harp and is guaranteed to stick in your mind”.
“I am unbelievably excited and proud of this album. I have worked with some amazing people in Europe to create a beautiful album full of the passion that I feel for my music. I love what I do and feel so incredibly fortunate to be able to continue and release a second album where I can share magnificent aria’s full of inspiration, energy and power.”
There will be a second world tour which will see him perform again in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia.
Paul also hopes 2009 will be the year that he can renew his wedding vows after 6 years of marriage to his wonderful wife Julz and that the renovations on his new art deco house in Port Talbot, Wales will be completed.
“I have had the most amazing two years and the next year is lined up to be equally challenging. I love what I do and want to be able to continue for years to come. Experience is my best teacher and I love to challenge myself. I love to lose myself in the world of music and with Julz by my side, travelling the world and bringing opera to so many people I really am the luckiest man in the world. The stars were aligned the day I stepped on to the audition stage, Fate definitely stepped in.”
Not bad for the Bristol boy who failed his 0-Level Music exam
Source; http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/artists/paul_potts/biog/