James Blunt

The intoxicating debut from Sierra Swan, “Ladyland” is set to be released May 23 on Custard/Interscope Records and the songstress couldn’t be more thrilled to perform her new material alongside JAMES BLUNT on his spring U.S. tour. “It is an honor to open up for such a beautiful artist like James Blunt. I have been a fan of his since I met him three years ago. He has such a kind soul and delicious energy around him - I can’t wait to play together,” says Swan.

Swan’s presentation of her lyrically charged songs is both intense and vulnerable, showcasing an artist who is plainly, human. “It’s been the only way I’ve been able to take the highs and lows of my life and put them in a safe place,” offers Swan of her writing. From the piano-driven opener, “Copper Red,” to the confessional balladry of “Mother,” there’s one outstanding component: Swan’s captivating voice. Acclaimed producer and songwriter Linda Perry was riveted the first time she heard the young singer, who quickly became her protege. (more…)

THE UK music industry is celebrating booming album sales - enough to give it a new record.

Figures out today show that UK artists, such as James Blunt, sold 62.4million albums in 2005. And half of all albums bought here last year were by homegrown acts - the highest share since 1998. The figures were released by the British Phonographic Industry ahead of tonight’s Brit Awards. UK album sales saw a significant rise on the previous year from 42.4% in 2004 to 49.4% in 2005, thanks to Blunt and his fellow stars including Kaiser Chiefs and Coldplay.

The popularity of US artists declined from 41.7% of the album market in 2004 to 37.7% in 2005.
BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said: “We are privileged to be living through an exciting time for UK music.
“From Kaiser Chiefs to KT Tunstall, from Gorillaz to James Blunt, British music is succeeding across the board and UK music fans are responding in their droves.

“It all means that the Brit Awards show is shaping up to be one of the best yet.” Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs and former British Army captain James Blunt lead the Brit nominations with five noninations each.  Blunt had the biggest selling UK album of last year.

Socialite Paris Hilton gave Brit Awards winner Jack Johnson and James Blunt an extra accolade at the London ceremony last night (15FEB06), she think’s “they’re hot”.

The Simple Life reality TV star presented the International Album Award to Green Day for their best-selling disc American Idiot via videophone at the star-studded bash in the British capital’s Earls Court venue.

Hilton admitted she was impressed with the male talent on offer, despite dating Greek shipping heir. Hilton says, “I loved Jack Johnson, he’s incredible. I love James Blunt. (He’s an ex-soldier) which is pretty hot.”

When asked if she had to choose between Johnson and Blunt, Hilton opted for the former pro-surfer American, saying, “Surfing is sexier. But, I’m not romantically interested in them.

“I have a boyfriend. He’s in LA. I’m seeing him tomorrow.”

Paul Weller was forced into a humiliating climb-down at the Brit Awards – he had to apologise to James Blunt for criticising him.

The Modfather had, some would say reasonably, claimed he’d, “rather eat my own shit than duet with James Blunt,” prior to the industry bash last week.

However, Weller – the recipient of the Brits Lifetime Achievement Award – was forced to say sorry to Blunt after learning they would be sitting opposite each other at the ceremony in London.

A source tells The Sun, “ Paul was in a panic after seeing that his table was directly beside James Blunt’s. He realised he had to make some kind of gesture to make sure there was no animosity between the tables.

“Paul gingerly approached James at rehearsals and said he hadn’t meant what he’d said.”

Custard/Atlantic recording artist James Blunt scored two BRIT Awards last night at ceremonies held at London’s Earls Court Arena. Blunt, who was presented with the Best Pop Act and Best British Male Solo Artist trophies, also performed his #1 single, “You’re Beautiful.”

“Back To Bedlam, ” which broke into the top ten on the Billboard 200 album chart in January and hit #1 on the Top Digital Albums chart, has been certified gold by the RIAA and has now scanned over 623, 000 copies in the U.S. Its first single, “You’re Beautiful, ” is #1 for the second week in a row on Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart, and has sold over 675, 000 downloads to date. With over 111, 000 digital sales this week alone, the song sold double that of the #2-ranked title. “You’re Beautiful” is also #2 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100.

Blunt was in the U.S. last week for a special sold-out pre-Grammy show at the House of Blues in Los Angeles. He returns to North America next month for his first full-fledged cross-country headlining tour. Kicking off March 13th, the eagerly awaited itinerary is already SRO, with every show instantly selling out the day that tickets were put on sale.

Photos of James Blunt receiving his Brit awards and his Brit performance are now in the photo gallery!

(Click the images for the full set)
  

Congratulations to James tonight for winning “Best Pop Act” and “Best British Male Solo Artist” Brit awards!  We have 12 photos of James with the awards which you can see here by clicking on the photo below!

Admit it: Almost every woman wants to be told that she’s beautiful. Bonus points are given for putting the words to music. And when such adulation comes from a man who also proclaims, “My life is brilliant”? She’ll probably think she’s got herself a keeper.

Enter James Blunt. This ex-army man is topping the charts worldwide with his first single, “You’re Beautiful,” despite hardly being cut from typical rock star cloth. In fact, it’s a wonder he’s released an album at all — a military career and a musical career would usually be considered a study in contrasts.

But that album, a little thing called Back to Bedlam, made ripples all around the world. One of his first coups was keeping the venerable Rolling Stones from topping the UK charts in mid-2005. His latest achievements include seeing the album go gold stateside, while his single hovers just a breath below number 1 on the US Hot 100 singles chart.

SheKnows recently caught up with the singer/songwriter and took him away from the heady business of climbing the charts for just a few minutes so he could answer these 10 questions for you.

SheKnows: You’ve done really well, especially in Britain. Did that success surprise you? (more…)

The artists are going to keep on heading to Oz this April with news that lady-charmer James Blunt is heading back to Australian shores.

Celebrating the success of his debut album Back Top Bedlam, which has spent the past 5 weeks at the top of the Oz albums charts, Blunt will return to Australia in 2006. His first appearance will be at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards followed by his first fully-fledged tour. Prior to the shows fans will be able to check out what they’re in store for with Chasing Time: The Bedlam Sessions – a live DVD.

James Blunt was the surprise success story of 2005, with his stripped back, honest approach to music and his unique past in the army winning the world over. Back To Bedlam outsold Coldplay, Oasis and Robbie Williams in 2005 selling 2.37 million copies. (more…)

Singer/songwriter James Blunt has hit back at Paul Weller, declaring he “doesn’t care” what the rock veteran thinks of him.

The former THE JAM frontman claims he was approached by the organisers of Wednesday’s (15th Feb 06) Brit Awards to perform a duet with YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL star Blunt and refused.

Weller said, “I would rather eat my own s**t than perform with Blunt. It’s not going to happen.”

However, Blunt insists he was never approached to perform a duet with the 47-year-old.

Blunt says, “I was never asked to do a duet with Paul Weller so I’ve no idea why he made those comments. I don’t care.”

James Blunt, 31, became an overnight sensation with his single You’re Beautiful, written about a former girlfriend he saw on a train with her new boyfriend. His album Back to Bedlam has sold 2.5m copies in Britain. The son of a retired army colonel, he attended Harrow school and Bristol University before joining the Life Guards and seeing active service in Kosovo. He says he has been shot at more times than 50 Cent, the rapper

It’s hard to ignore James Blunt. The singer songwriter whose single You’re Beautiful topped the charts for five weeks and who is up for five Brit awards including best pop act, best British single and best British album this week, is rarely off the airwaves. But his first appearance to a global audience came in very different circumstances.

It was at the height of the Kosovo conflict in 1999 when, as a lieutenant and tank commander in the British Army, James Hillier-Blount, as he was born, found himself leading a Nato convoy that was confronted by a force of armed Serb. The tense stand-off was captured by television cameras.

As Blunt faced down the Serbs from the turret of his tank and they started to retreat he was seen by viewers to take a call on his mobile phone. “James,” said a distant crackling female voice, “I just wanted to say how proud I am — you look magnificent.” Blunt held the gaze of his Serbian opposite number for a moment and whispered his reply: “Not now, granny.”

These days Blunt, who left the army in 2002, has swapped his tank for a tour bus. “It’s a double-decker with 14 bunks upstairs and two sitting-rooms,” he says. “I’m on a high after a performance but it’s not difficult to sleep — a few drinks and you pass out.” (more…)

James Blunt doesn’t think he has a chance of winning a Brit award.

The singer - who has been nominated for five prizes, including Best Pop Act and Best British Male Solo Artist, at next week’s prestigious ceremony - isn’t confident he will land a gong.

Blunt thinks his worst chance of an accolade is in the Breakthrough Act category where he is up against Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, KT Tunstall and The Magic Numbers
 
He told Britain’s Radio 1: “I don’t know if I’ll win. I did breakthrough I suppose. I’m just really happy to be in there. To be in with a chance.”