NEW YORK (Atlantic Records) - Custard/Atlantic Recording artist James Blunt continues to surge in popularity in the U.S., as his debut album, “BACK TO BEDLAM,” is certified gold by the RIAA for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. At the same time, the album has leapt into the top 20 on this week’s Billboard 200, landing at No 16 with a bullet. In the past two weeks alone, the album has jumped 33 spots on the chart. “BACK TO BEDLAM” was released in the U.S. on October 4, 2005.In his native England Blunt has made history with “BACK TO BEDLAM.” The UK’s No 1 album of the year, with nearly 2.4 million copies sold, it became the biggest-selling album in a single year since the current sales tracking system began in 1994. He also leads the pack for this year’s BRIT Awards, earning nominations in five categories: British Male Solo Artist, British Album, British Single, British Breakthrough Act, and Pop Act. He previously garnered “Best New Act” wins at both the MTV Europe Music Awards and the UK’s Q Awards.

Blunt will fly to the U.S. for a very special pre-Grammy Awards performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles on February 7th. He will return to the States in March for his first full-fledged headlining tour. In December, Blunt wrapped up his first major North American concert itinerary, which featured a number of dates with labelmate Jason Mraz, as well as a series of headlining shows - including two sold-out performances at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom.