James Fox

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James Fox
Background information
Birth name	James Richard Mullett
Born	6 April 1976 (1976-04-06) (age 33)
Origin	Cardiff, Wales
Genres	Rock Pop
Years active	1991 - present
Labels	Sony (2004) Plastic Tomato (2007-) itunes

James Fox, real name James Richard Mullett, (born 6 April 1976 in Cardiff, Wales) is a pop music singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. He represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul. In 2008 he wrote and recorded the Cardiff City FC FA Cup Final song, "Bluebirds Flying High."

Biography

James Fox grew up in Gilfach Village, Bargoed in the Rhymney Valley, a former mining community in south-east Wales, where he attended both Gilfach Fargoed Primary School and Heolddu Comprehensive School. Inspired by his musician father Richard, music was his passion from an early age. At the age of six, he asked for piano lessons after being "completely captivated" by a televised performance by Billy Joel.^[1] His father bought him a piano and he started piano lessons soon after.^[2] Fox taught himself to play guitar, the drums, harmonica and mandolin.

Fox is passionate about football: he has supported and been a season ticket holder for over 25 years, following his home team 'The Bluebirds' (Cardiff City FC.)^[3]

Professional career

His professional musical career began at age 15, in the rock band "Deep Trouble," with his older brother Dean and two friends. Fox's mum Tina drove the van, enabling the group to play the south Welsh working man's clubs circuit. He later joined "Blonde Over Blue."

After leaving school, Fox 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. It was during this period he penned his first song "Miners` Town " about Gilfach. In 2000, while "Nick James" was playing in a Blackpool piano bar, he met Kevin Simm. The two became friends, going on to form the boy band Force 5; the band worked mainly on Blackpool's Golden Mile, before breaking up when Simm went on to join Liberty X (via Popstars). Simm recommended James to their management company, Hyperactive. They signed him up as a solo artist, and also as a professional backing, support singer and guitarist for other acts such as Liberty X, Ultra, Worlds Apart and Wet Wet Wet. He also entertained the UK armed forces in Bosnia, Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.^[4]

Fame Academy

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 sang live in an attempt to convince viewers to vote to keep them in each week. The show's format included 24 hour live streaming of the students. The camaraderie and duetting around Fox's piano playing with fellow contestant Alistair Griffin spawned a double act. Fox didn't win, but in coming 5th, Fame Academy did present him with new career opportunities.

Eurovision

His first notable solo achievement as a musical artist was representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song Hold Onto Our Love which reached number 13 in the UK charts. He did not win, finishing 16th out of 24 finalists with 29 points, but performed much better than the previous year's UK entry, Jemini who failed to score any points.^[5] Questions were raised in the UK about apparent 'bloc voting' by certain countries, with Sir Terry Wogan commenting "This is barking! I was afraid the Balkan blocking voting was going to make a difference and it has; it's beyond me"; and Fox also alluded to this in interviews after the contest, remarking that his own favourite example was Monaco's awarding of maximum points to France.^[6]

Following his performance of Hold Onto Our Love on BBC's Making Your Mind Up programme in April 2004, Fox was invited by Caerphilly MP, Wayne David, to sing the UK's Eurovision entry live at the House of Commons,^[7] 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 the song on Top of the Pops on 30 April.

Musical Theatre

In 2004 Fox went on to play Judas in the Bill Kenwright touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar to good reviews.^[8] 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 playing vocalist/musical narrator lead 'Piano Man' in the Tony award winning Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp musical Movin' Out in America.^[9] James was successful in his audition; his return flight was cancelled and he went straight in to rehearsals with Billy Joel's band. Fox made his debut in the show on Broadway on 6 April 2005 (his birthday) and received a vocal standing ovation. He later joined the North American touring production of Movin' Out, to take up the lead role of the 'Piano Man'.^[10]

In March 2006, he returned to the UK to take up the role of the "Piano Man" in the European premier of Movin' Out in The West End at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre.^[11] Billy Joel said this of Fox at the press launch at Ronnie Scott's Jazz club: "I'm particularly pleased that the incredibly talented James Fox will be returning to home turf; he has been wowing audiences here, and he's going to continue to do so there."^[12]

After taking a break from musical theatre to write and record his own material, he rejoined the American tour in October 2006, taking time off to return to the UK for a series of gigs. In January 2007, the first National Tour of Movin' Out ended, and James returned to the UK on a permanent basis.

Live performances

As well as his own headline performances, Fox has supported a number of well known artists. Some of his more notable live appearances and tours include his 31 December 2003 performance live at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, singing a cover of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. In Spring 2004 he supported Lulu and Wet Wet Wet on tour. 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 Arena again supporting Wet Wet Wet. In July 2005 he co-presented 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.

Fox also performs frequently at charity-based events. He performed at the Crusaid -The Coronet (World Aids day) annual BBC Wales Children in Need charity concerts, both singing and presenting, in 2003 in Merthyr Tydfil,^[13] and in 2005 in Wrexham. In May 2006 he performed "Movin out" at the Breathing Life Awards for The Cystic Fibrosis Charity which was screened live on British television.^[14] 12 November 2006 In The Royal Masonic Variety show alongside Bradley Walsh Throughout 2004 - 2006 James 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 F1. Since returning to the UK permanently in February 2007 to resume a solo singing career, Fox has performed several times at Tony Moore's Regal Room in London, showcasing mainly self-penned new compositions. He supported jazz singer Clare Teal in concert on 3 May 2007 at Parc and Dare Theatre, Treorachy Wales. On 17 May 2007 He supported Will Young

On 18 May 2007 he performed at The Natural History Museum London as the support act for Tina Turner at the Bedrock Ball, a charity gala evening in aid of 'Cauldwell Children' The event marked Turner's return to live performance after a 7 year absence. November 2007 James supported Wet Wet Wet for a series of charity gig's at The Hard Rock Cafe (Cardiff, Nottingham and London's Hard Rocks). In December 2007 he performed several of his own original songs at The Bedford and at The Regal Room in London, as part of their Christmas celebrations.

February the 15th and 16th 2008 saw Fox performing in the site of his first professional gig The Club Lennox in his home town of Bargoed with his new band, (which consisted mainly of fellow musicians from the Broadway and West End productions of Movin' out.)The homecoming gigs acted as a warm-up for a ten day CSE tour of Afghanistan to entertain the British Troops, alongside Lucie Silvas, whom Fox also acted as Guitarist for the duration of the forces tour. 1 March saw James Fox and Band performing in the St David's day Charity Gala at the Quality Inn Cardiff alongside Fox's former manager Nathan Moore 2 March at The Hard Rock Cafe in Cardiff Fox headlined a gig with his band in aid of the Norriff Robbins musical therapy fund

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 the Oasis classic Don't Look Back in Anger, due to the reaction that had received on his Forces tours and was accompanied by his touring band with James 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 on electric guitar in the Festival's traditional closing hymn, Abide With Me .

Recording career

Fox plays and sings on the track, "In Your Smile" which appeared on Alistair Griffin's debut album Bring It On

In April 2004, Fox recorded "Hold Onto Our Love", "Needing You" and "Something About Her" which were released across two CD singles.

In 2005, Fox, with Katherine Jenkins, Andy Scott-Lee, Gareth Edwards and a host of other Welsh celebrities, recorded a cover version of The Carpenters' "Close To You" for BBC Wales.

In September, October and November 2007, James Fox began writing and recording tracks for his début album with fellow musician/producer Mads Hauge. He also recorded a humorous and poignant video diary consisting of several of their studio sessions. These sessions spawned "Six String".

3 December 2007 marked the release of "Six String", a six-track EP showcasing a variety of musical styles, featuring solely self-penned and co-written songs.

In early March 2008, Fox entered the recording studios to start work on his début album.

During the March 2008 recording sessions, after watching the FA Cup quarter final victory over Middlesbrough, James wrote "Bluebirds Flying High" in under ten minutes. He approached Cardiff City FC's chair Peter Risdale, but Risdale refused to listen to the track unless and until Cardiff actually reached the final. After the semi-final victory over Barnsley FC, Risdale listened to the CD Fox had left with him and the song became the official Cardiff City Football Club single for the 2008 FA Cup Final, Bluebirds Flying High^[15]

October 2008 "Higher" The lead single from James' debut album "Rocking Chairs And Lemonade" backed by a remix of 'Good Thing' was released on Fox's own plastic tomato label and on itunes.

November 2008 The album 'Rocking Chairs and Lemonade' was released the album includes the tracks from the Six String EP and five other self penned tunes, but neither of Fox's two top twenty singles.

October 2008/January 2009 Fox wrote and recorded as yet unreleased tracks with Lucie Silvas

April 2009 the self penned "Say What You like." released on the Plastic Tomato label. All proceeds from the single went to Velindre Cancer Care, a charity Fox became a patron of after they treated and cared for his Grandmother.

Discography

Compilation albums

One track by James Fox appeared on each of the official Fame Academy compilation albums.

Fame Academy: Bee Gees Special (Polydor) August 2003

More Than A Woman

Fame Academy - The Finalists (Polydor) October 2003:

Somewhere In My Heart

Also tracks on:

The Ultimate Eurovision Party May 2008

Hold Onto Our Love.

Singles

Hold Onto Our Love, the official UK Eurovision entry for 2004, was released as a CD single in April 2004 on the Sony label. It reached #13 in the UK charts and #7 in the Welsh music charts.^[16] The single also contained the self-penned tracks "Needing You" and "Something About Her".

"Bluebirds Flying High", the official FA Cup final song of Cardiff City F.C. was released on 5 May 2008 on the Plastic Tomato label and iTunes. It charted at #15 in the UK Singles Chart, having sold more physical singles than any other act that week.^[17] The single attained the number one spot in the UK national indie singles chart and the Welsh singles chart.

Higher written by Fox, Mads Hauge and Phil Thornalley was released on 22 October 2008, as the lead single from the album 'Rocking Chairs and Lemonade' despite support from the Welsh media, Cardiff City Football Club, Terry Wogan on his radio show and the video airing on several music television channels. Higher failed to chart due to a clerical error ^[18]

Say What You Like, written by Fox the second single from Rocking Chairs and Lemonade released April 27 2009

EP

In December 2007 a six track CD of original self-penned songs titled "Six String",(iTunes) was released independently by Plastic Tomato.

Track listing

1. You Can Do Anything,
2. Melody,
3. Good Thing,
4. Steady This Ship
5. Leaving Right Now
6. Turn Around

Albums

Rocking Chairs And Lemonade was released via itunes and on physical CD on the 10th of November 2008. it included all the six tracks from Six String plus;

1. Higher.
2. White Flag.
3. Say Goodbye.
4. Say What You Like
5. So far Away From Home.

Fox wrote or co-wrote all of music, the lyrics to the album were entirely self-penned, Fox also played most of the instrumentation including; Guitar, Piano, synthesiser, mandolin, bass, harmonica and drums. The album received good reviews comparing it to the likes of Take That and The Killers ^[19]

Television appearances

James Fox regularly appears on television, predominately on live shows. Some of his credits include Fame Academy series 2, the programme mixing a 'pop star' search competition with a 24-hour-a-day reality TV show. Focus was on the contestants` personalities, as well as their musical abilities. His stint in Fame Academy brought about his inclusion in Making Your Mind Up, the UK's Eurovision song contest selection show in 2004, as a performer. Winning the show led to Fox performing at the Eurovision Song contest in the same year, and to a spot on the 2005 Making Your Mind Up show as a guest presenter, and also to The Weakest Link special Charity Eurovision edition, as a contestant. Much of his banter and flirting with host Anne Robinson later appeared in her Out Take TV show, which led to an appearance on the Robinson-presented Test the Nation, BBC Television's interactive IQ test as a studio guest and participant. Further television work followed including EastEnders` Christmas special, a variety show filmed on the Albert Square set, starring many of the cast and special guest stars. Fox performed as a vocalist and also as guitarist for Liberty X. On Today with Des and Mel, a live chat and entertainment show hosted by crooner Des O'Connor and former model Melanie Sykes, Fox was interviewed, and took part in 'quirky' elements of the show, before playing guitar and singing. He appeared on BBC One's Breakfast News show, alongside Twyla Tharp discussing Billy Joel, Movin' out The Musical, and the day's news topics; on Sky News several times as a Eurovision Song contest 'expert', as a Eurovision Song reviewer, and as a musical theatre performer; and on BBC Wales` Party for Pudsey, filling the roles of performer, host, and guest interviewee, in 2003 and 2005; and on Gordon Ramsey's Hell's Kitchen, as guest and interview subject for co-presenter Katie Price. In 2004 and 2006, Fox took part in BBC television's annual Festival of Remembrance in front of the British Royal family live in the Albert Hall as a performer and presenter. He also took part in the Summer of 2006 in Sky One's The Match, a reality television programme starring celebrities trying out for a place in former England football manager Graham Taylor's squad to face a team of retired professionals in a live match. July 2007 saw him playing for the winning side, in the Alan Ball memorial challenge cup, a one off football match featuring performers, ex-professional and current football players alike coming together to celebrate the life of the World Cup winning mid-fielder. played at stadium:mk in Milton Keynes, with proceeds going towards the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance Service.^[20] In September 2007 Fox joined other celebrities, fans and professional players to play for the Reading team in the week long, seven a side, charity football contest, Sky One Premier League All Stars

References

External links

• Official MySpace
• Official web-site