Rhino Records is pleased to announce their latest signing, The Soldiers – Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi.

The real life soldiers are recording their debut album ‘Coming Home’, due for release on 26th October 2009.

Buy Music:

The Soldiers on amazon.co.uk

The Soldiers and Rhino Records are proud to support the charities Army Benevolent Fund, Help For Heroes, and The Royal British Legion through this album.

MD of Rhino Records UK & International, Dan Chalmers said, “Gary, Richie and Ryan are three very talented vocalists who have a real gift for connecting with people through their music. Their love of singing shines through in every performance and their enthusiasm for each of these songs is inspirational. I have no doubt ‘Coming Home’ will resonate with people across the country.”

Although serving as soldiers is their day job, music has always been an integral part of the male vocal group’s lives and these real life heroes are set to win over the public’s affections with their uplifting interpretations of powerful anthems.

Youngest and most recognisable member, 24 year old Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi appeared on X Factor and made it through to the Boot Camp stage of the show after singing “Lean On Me”. From Caerphilly, South Wales, Idzi has already served in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the 20th Armoured Brigade. Described by Danni Minogue as ‘gorgeous’, Ryan’s good looks are sure to melt the hearts of millions. Ryan is now stationed in Senneger, Germany.

Born in Hampshire, Gulf War veteran Sergeant Major Gary Chilton joined the Royal Armoured Corps in 1984 straight from school. He has performed around the world including a special show with Jools Holland at Twickenham. Gary has fought in the Gulf War and was presented with The Gulf Medal by HRH The Prince of Wales upon return. Gary is currently based at The Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band in Catterick, North Yorkshire since 2006 and is married with 2 children, Aaron (10) and Megan (7).

One of seven brothers and sisters, Sergeant Richie Maddocks from Oldham, Greater Manchester enlisted into the British Army at the age of 16 and has travelled throughout Europe, Canada, Cyprus, Finland and The Falkland Islands. In 1991, Maddocks was deployed as a medical assistant and awarded The Gulf Medal. He is now currently serving with The Minden Band of The Queens Division in Cambridge and is married to Nicci. The couple own 2 Jack Russell Terriers, Dilly and Duggy.

Producer Nick Patrick (who has worked with Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins, and who has helped sell over 40 million albums and collectively win 7 Classical Brit awards) said, “Having worked with some of the UK’s biggest classical recording artists, Gary, Richie and Ryan’s voices are some of the most genuine and heartfelt voices I’ve heard in a long time. We’re having a great time in the studio recording their material.”

Taking time out of their day jobs to record this special album, Ryan says, “It’s absolutely incredible to be given an opportunity to record an album of songs which are close to our hearts. We hope to raise as much money as possible from this album to support our colleagues past and present.”

Each member of The Soldiers has their own unique story to tell and this album is a heartfelt tribute and dedication to their comrades, family and friends, and to those who have fallen in battle.

‘Coming Home’ track listing*
(*Not final running order):

Coming Home
In the Air tonight
Stand by Me
Freedom 90
Lean on Me
He Aint Heavy
With a little help from my Friends
Bridge over troubled Water
Tears in Heaven
You’ve got a Friend
I’ll Stand By You
Against all Odds
Sailing
Bring Him Home
Sacrifice
A Soldier’s Christmas Letter.
The Last Post

‘Coming Home’ is due out 26th October 2009

Buy Music:

The Soldiers on amazon.co.uk

For more information please visit:

The Soldiers Official Website

Army Benevolent Fund
The Royal British Legion
Help For Heroes

‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ became one of the biggest selling albums of the decade after its release last year, amassing an amazing 600,000 + sales, with the second album, ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats Two’, rocketing to number two in the charts within the first week of its release.

Dreamboats and Petticoats on amazon.co.uk

Dreamboats and Petticoats on amazon.com

Inspired by the albums, Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield in association with Universal Music present Dreamboats and Petticoats The Musical, written by Marks and Gran, the team behind Goodnight Sweetheart, Birds Of A Feather, and Shine On Harvey Moon, will give you the greatest time of your life – taking you back to a time when each passing week brought another classic track. Featuring songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more.

In 1961 emotions run high as talented young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win the hearts of their adoring female fans – and more importantly, the gorgeous Laura. But when Laura shows that she’s no slouch with the guitar, rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons.

Manchester born Scott Bruton, one of this year’s X Factor finalists, stars in this brand new musical. Scott wowed the nation, Simon Cowell and the other X Factor judges with his vocal talents as he battled his way into the top 12 in this years contest.

Joining Scott is Ben Freeman, famed for his role as Scott Windsor in ITV’s hit soap opera Emmerdale, a character he played for ten years; Jennifer Biddall who played Jessica Harris in Hollyoaks; two new stars Daisy Wood-Davis and A.J Dean who were hand picked from hundreds of hopefuls who attended open auditions in London’s West End and David Cardy who is best known for his role as Chris Theodopolopodous from Marks and Gran’s Birds Of A Feather.

Featuring the hit songs Lets Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, In Dreams, Bobby’s Girl, Three Steps To Heaven, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Almost Grown, Sleepwalk, Runaround Sue, The Locomotion, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, What A Wonderful World, Half Way To Paradise, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Let’s Twist Again and many more hits from music’s golden era.

Dreamboats and Petticoats – the songs will live forever!

February – July 2009 UK Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

BROMLEY
19/02 -28/02 Churchill Theatre
High Street
Kent
BR1 1HA 020 8460 6677
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm

GLASGOW
02/03 – 07/03 Glasgow Kings Theatre
297 Bath Street
G2 3AX 0141 240 1111
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

EDINBURGH
09/03 – 14/03 Edinburgh Playhouse
18-22 Greenside Place
EH1 3AA 0870 606 3424
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

WOKING
16/03 – 21/03 Woking New Victoria Theatre
The Ambassadors
The Peacock Centre
GU21 1GQ 01483 545 900
Monday – Saturday 8pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

BIRMINGHAM
30/03 – 04/04 Alexandra Theatre
Station Street
West Midlands
B5 4DS
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

BLACKPOOL
06/04 – 11/04
Blackpool Grand Theatre
33 Church Street
Lancashire
FY1 1HT
01253 290190
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday 2pm

NORTHAMPTON
13/04 – 18/04 Derngate Theatre
19/21 Guildhall Road
Northamptonshire
NN1 1DP 01604 626 289
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

MANCHESTER
20/04 – 25/04 Opera House
Quay Street
Greater Manchester
M3 3HP 0161 242 2525
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

BRISTOL
27/04 – 02/05 Bristol Hippodrome Theatre
St Augustine’s Parade
Avon
BS1 4US 0870 607 7500
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

CARDIFF
04/05 – 09/04 Cardiff New Theatre
Park Place
South Wales
CF1 3LN 02920 878 889
Tuesday – Friday 7.30pm
Wednesday, Thursday 2.30pm
Saturday 4pm & 8.30pm

DARTFORD
***TUESDAY OPEN***
11/05 – 16/04 Orchard Theatre
Home Gardens
Kent
DA1 1ED TBC
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

SOUTHAMPTON
25/05 – 30/05 Mayflower Theatre
Commercial Road
Hants
SO15 0GE 023 8071 1811
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Thursday & Saturday 2pm

HIGH WYCOMBE
01/06 – 06/06 Swan Theatre
01494 512 000

CAMBRIDGE
15/06 – 20/06 Cambridge Corn Exchange
3 Parsons Court
Wheeler Street
CB2 3QB 01223 357 851
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

LIVERPOOL
22/06 – 27/06 Empire Theatre
Lime Street
Merseyside
L1 1JE 0870 606 3536
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

RICHMOND
29/06 – 04/07 Richmond Theatre
The Little Green
Surrey
TW9 1QJ 020 8940 0088
Monday – Saturday 7.45pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

LEEDS
06/07 – 11/07 Grand Theatre
46 New Briggate
West Yorkshire
LS1 6NZ 0113 222 6222
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Wednesday & Saturday 2.30pm

SUNDERLAND
13/07 – 18/07 Sunderland Empire
0844 847 24 99

Dreamboats and Petticoats Website

Will Young has confirmed that he will make a special guest appearance on ITV’s phenomenal show, The X Factor on Saturday, November 1st, 2008, performing his forthcoming single “Grace”.

Will Young – Let It Go on amazon.co.uk

“I’m really looking forward to appearing on the X Factor – I love the show and watch it weekly!” Will said. “I can’t wait to meet this year’s contestants and sing on the X factor stage!”

What better person to show the new hopefuls how it is done, than the original Pop Idol!

Taken from Will’s gold-selling new album ‘Let It Go’, “Grace” is released December 1st, 2008.

Will Young’s UK Tour begins November 16th, please see below for tour dates.

(Dates and information subject to change.)

NOVEMBER 2008
SUN 16 NEWCASTLE, CITY HALL
MON 17 HARROGATE, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
TUE 18 LIVERPOOL, PHILHARMONIC
THU 20 GLASGOW, ROYAL CONCERT HALL
SUN 23 MANCHESTER, APOLLO
MON 24 MANCHESTER, APOLLO
TUE 25 SHEFFIELD, CITY HALL
THU 27 OXFORD, NEW THEATRE
FRI 28 NOTTINGHAM, ROYAL CONCERT HALL
SUN 30 PORTSMOUTH, GUILDHALL

DECEMBER 2008
MON 01 BRISTOL, COLSTON HALL
WED 03 IPSWICH, REGENT THEATRE
THU 04 BRIGHTON, DOME
FRI 05 CARDIFF, ST DAVIDS HALL
SUN 07 BIRMINGHAM, SYMPHONY HALL
MON 08 BIRMINGHAM, SYMPHONY HALL
TUE 09 PLYMOUTH, PAVILLIONS
THU 11 BOURNEMOUTH, INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
FRI 12 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE
SAT 13 LONDON, ROUNDHOUSE

Acclaim for ‘Let It Go’:

“A masterclass in grown-up soul-pop, delivered full of heart and personality” – Guardian

“Let It Go comes with meaning. Elegantly conceived, the slouchy semi-grooves are etched with mainstream radio in mind… Nothing here will do anything to lessen the great swathes of public affection directed at its protagonist” – Observer Music Monthly

“Elegant pop-soul with a delicate, very English quality” – The Telegraph

“On Let It Go, Young sounds like a pop star utterly in control” – Time Out

“A consummate lesson in how to produce radio friendly pop” – Independent on Sunday

Will Young Official Website

With the three judge panel consisting of John Barrowman, Carrie Grant and Terry Wogan, it was a close call for Andy. Terry Wogan was the only judge to vote for Andy to stay in for the public vote, as a wild card.

Andy’s soulful performance of his song, “Even If”, written by Andy Abraham, Andy Watkins and Paul Wilson, was enough to convince the public to vote for him as the winner to go on to the Eurovision 2008 final.

Watch Andy Abraham – “Even If” video:

Other contestants included ex-EastEnders star Michelle Gayle, Simona Armstrong, Rob McVeigh, LoveShy and The Revelations.

Andy Abraham is best known in the UK as a former contestant on X Factor 2005. With memorable appearances that included a stand out performance of “Me and Mrs. Jones”, the former bin man was runner up to winner Shayne Ward.

Since the X Factor, Andy has released two studio albums, with a third on it’s way, set to include the single, “Even If”.

The 53rd Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, two Semi-Finals will be held to decide which 25 countries will be represented in the Final.

The first Semi-Final will take place on Tuesday, 20th of May.

The second Semi-Final is Thursday 22nd of May.

The Final is Saturday, 24th of May, 2008.

For more information, go to:

Eurovision Song Contest Official Website

BBC – Eurovision: Your Decision

Andy Abraham on amazon.co.uk

Andy Abraham Official Website
Andy Abraham on Myspace

Leona Lewis has just released new single, “Bleeding Love” off of her debut album ‘Spirit’, set for release November 12th, 2007 on SonyBMG. The X-Factor 2006 winner has been in LA recording her album, working with Simon Cowell, Clive Davis as well as top producers and songwriters.

After performing on X-Factor last Saturday night, Leona was on GMTV’s LK Today this morning talking about the new single and the upcoming album release. She said that she was involved in the songwriting process on some of the songs and was happy to release original material rather than all covers. She also performed “Bleeding Love” live. From what I could see it was just Leona and a backing track – no band.

Leona Lewis’ voice still sounds great – if not better than when she was on the X-Factor. “Bleeding Love” is catchy and is sure to make a grand entrance into the UK pop charts, especially considering her fans have been waiting quite some time for the opportunity to go out and buy her new single.

Watch Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” video:

Bleeding Love YouTube video link

Leona Lewis – “Bleeding Love” on amazon.co.uk

Spirit on amazon.co.uk

Leona Lewis Official Website

By: Jenny May

The debut releases come soon after Ben Mills finished third on The X Factor back in December that included talent judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh on the panel. Now signed to Sony BMG, this is quite an achievement for the singer with the big, soulful voice.

When Ben Mills performed Queen’s Somebody To Love while he was on The X Factor, it was at that point that I realized he really did have something special. That performance was amazing and it took a lot of courage and confidence to have pulled it off – acapella with a gospel choir. It was great to see the comments of support from his new found fans when I first wrote about Ben Mills on Band Weblogs, and now he’ll most definitely find himself overwhelmed with a new wave of admirers!

It looks as if Ben’s new record company will be keeping him very busy this year. It’s been announced on his website that he’ll be on tour later in 2007 which will follow his current X Factor Tour.

Watch Ben Mills’ new video for “Beside You” on his Myspace page!

Picture Of You tracklisting:

1. Beside You
2. Amazed
3. Nothing But The Truth
4. Maggie May
5. Anytime You Fall
6. Love Waits For Me
7. Somebody To Love
8. Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing
9. The Last To Fall
10. Bring It On Home To Me
11. Picture of You
12. With A Little Help From My Friends

“Somebody To Love” made it on to the album – pretty cool!

For news, information, tour dates and more go to Ben Mills Official Website
Ben Mills on Myspace

Buy Ben Mills music on eBay!

By: Jenny May

Ben Mills is one of the last three remaining acts on the X Factor and his latest performance was one of the most amazing covers of Queen’s “Somebody to Love” that I’ve ever heard. He, unlike most on the show, took a chance and decided to sing his version of the song acapella along with a choir. I really hope that this is released as a single – but I doubt that will happen as this rendition doesn’t comply with the norm of today’s typical pop song. Anyway, hopefully Brian May has heard this – I think he would approve.

Luckily the video of Ben Mills’ performance is on YouTube.

Watch Ben Mills performing Queen’s “Somebody To Love”

Personally, I don’t think the judges – Simon Cowell, Sharon Osborne or Louis Walsh give him enough credit for this amazing performance.

By: Jenny May