Columbia Records Welcomes Rebecca Ferguson To The Troubadour
Rebecca Ferguson
ALL ACCESS sends a big thank-you out to COLUMBIA RECORDS' AMANDA WALK, JIM BURRUSS, AIMIE VAUGHAN, PETE COSENZA, JEREMY RUBIN, LISA SONKIN and the entire label staff who welcomed their radio and music friends out for an intimate show featuring X FACTOR UK Runner-Up REBECCA FERGUSON at the TROUBADOUR in HOLLYWOOD on WEDNESDAY (4/25).
REBECCA performed an impressive set for a packed house that included her current single, "Nothing's Real But Love," and other songs from her new album "Heaven."
Some of the radio programmers and industry professionals attending the event included JC CHAVEZ of 'NSYNC, KBIG (104.3 MYFM)/LOS ANGELES' newly named APD/MD BRANDON BELL and air-talent LISA FOXX; KCSN/LOS ANGELES PD SKY DANIELS, KMXB (MIX 94.1) and KXTE/LAS VEGAS PD CHARESE FRUGE', KLLC (ALICE 97.3)/SAN FRANCISCO MD/midday talent JAYN, DIAL GLOBAL Hot AC 24/7 PD BILL O'BRIEN, KJMY/SALT LAKE CITY MD GREG APPLEBEE, KLLY/BAKERSFIELD, CA PD DANNY HILL and APD/MD LANCE SOTTILE, KMXW/RENO, NV APD/MD PEPPER, Musicologist and Blogger BOB LEFSETZ, M:M MUSIC's MEG MACDONALD and RENE MAGALLON; and ALL ACCESS' MARK STRICKLAND.
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Rebecca Ferguson shines like “Glitter & Gold” at the Troubadour
As the mother of two adorable children to he bright lights of the show X Factor, to a critically acclaimed debut album, Heaven, which was released in the UK, Rebecca Ferguson has put Liverpool on the musical map. Now touring the states in anticipation of her U.S. release of Heaven in May 2012 on Syco/Columbia Records, Rebecca is captivating the masses all over again with the divine uniqueness of her voice, humility, and style.
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On a rainy Wednesday evening in West Hollywood, she played a private show for an intimate crowd of Columbia record executives, acquaintances, and industry folk at the world-famous Troubadour on Santa Monica Blvd. In typical Rebecca Ferguson fashion she had the eclectic blend of Hollywood’s young and young at heart hanging on her every word. On stage, she represents the very essence of what a music artist should be, which is honest, passionate, talented, unique and confidently humble. Rebecca Ferguson is the truth and with a voice and personality like that, everyone at the Troubadour got to witness a little bit of Heaven.
Former “X Factor” U.K. finalist Rebecca Ferguson did her first U.S. concert to an enthusiastic crowd at Edison Ballroom in New York City on May 1, 2012. The invitation-only event was a showcase for Ferguson to perform for people in the entertainment industry. I was there, front row and center, to finally hear in person the voice that won over millions of “X Factor” viewers who voted for Ferguson to a second-place finish on “The X Factor” U.K. in 2010.
As previously reported, Columbia Records will release her debut album, “Heaven,” in the U.S. on May 29, 2012. "Heaven" was released in December 2011 in the U.K., where it has been certified platinum. Ferguson is signed to Epic Records in the U.K. (Epic and Columbia are both Sony Music labels.)
Some artists need flashy choreography or outrageous costumes to get people to talk about their live performances. But 25-year-old Ferguson takes a no-frills approach to her live show, and her voice is the main attraction.
And what a voice it is. Equal parts soulful and ethereal, Ferguson’s vocal talent makes up for her shy and sometimes very inhibited demeanor on stage. Many people might find her bashful and demure image charming, since it comes across and honest and real, as opposed to some music artists who fake an extroverted persona on stage but are really shy off stage.
After starting off the 30-minute concert with “Glitter and Gold” (her third U.K. single), Ferguson said, “I came here [to New York City] when I was about 20 years old to audition — and failed miserably. So it’s nice to come back to do my own showcase … Thanks for coming to see me.”
In her subsequent intros to songs like “Shoulder to Shoulder” and “Teach Me How to Be Loved,” sheshowed her vulnerable side by talking about what it was like to be in a failed relationship and being afraid of getting hurt again.
Before she sang “Nothing’s Real But Love” (the first single from “Heaven”), Ferguson said, “I just learned from the audition for ‘The X Factor,’ it’s kind of like everyone’s dream come true. After everything happened, I started to think about real happiness, being happy, and what was important in life … It’s not money, it’s not cars, it’s not jobs. It’s family and the people that you care about. That’s the most important thing.”
Although the showcase wasn’t different from what Ferguson did on her 2012 U.K. tour, it was a very good introduction to an American audience, most of whom had probably never seen her perform live in person. The showcase was recorded on video and part of it could be released in the near future.
Here is the set list from the show:
Glitter and Gold
Shoulder to Shoulder
I’ll Take Care of You
Teach Me How to Be Loved
Nothing’s Real But Love
Run Free
Things are moving faster in the US, where she is signed to Columbia, recent benefactors of Adele's success. When we meet, Ferguson is in town for her first New York showcase. She is booked to perform on Today and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Is the album still going to be released this month? This is good promo but it won't be enough. She doesn't have much of a presence in the US yet.
Rebecca Ferguson on postponing her US radio tour, cracking America and writing for top DJ Eric Prydz
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REBECCA FERGUSON today said she still has big plans for a career in the States, despite having to postpone her radio tour.
The Anfield singer was forced to reschedule after breaking her ankle during a night out in Liverpool.
But Rebecca is booked to perform on a number of US TV shows – an opportunity she is not prepared to miss.
And she told the ECHO she plans to use her time back in Liverpool wisely by writing lyrics for top DJs including Eric Prydz and Avicii.
Rebecca, who has a publishing deal with EMI, said: “Normally, if you break your leg, you can be a bit mobile. But it keeps swelling.
“I’ve got Today, The View and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno coming up – so hopefully, God willing, I will get better for that.
“Hopefully the doctor will let me fly.”
The 25-year-old recently returned from her first New York showcase and has also spent time promoting her double-platinum album, Heaven, in Los Angeles.
She said: “I haven’t had time for it to sink in. I just take it day by day.
“But now my leg is hurt I have more time to sit and think about it.
“I like America, the crowds are brilliant. The showcase in New York went really well. There were lots of people from TV and radio there.
“I’m so grateful, but I’m still coming to terms with everything that’s going on.”
Rebecca said she is thankful to be realising her ambition to be a professional singer, after a difficult struggle.
She made her first trip to the Big Apple when she auditioned for P Diddy’s Starmaker show in 2007.
The mum-of-two said: “I raised 2,000 quid to get to New York and I was told ‘no’. I felt so defeated and upset about the audition.
“It was so good to be going back over there to work and to do my own showcase. I felt I accomplished something when I was there. I felt like I’d grown and I was more mature and accomplished.”
Rebecca, who co-wrote with Adele collaborator Eg White, grabbed a second chance to crack America after coming second in The X Factor.
One Direction, who also shot to fame in the 2010 series, have already gone down a storm in the States. Their first single, What Makes You Beautiful, was covered by the cast of Glee and they were the first British group to go straight to the top of the US music charts with their debut album.
They followed in the footsteps of The Wanted, who are also making it big in the US charts and had one of their songs covered in the programme.
Rebecca, who went to Bootle’s Hugh Baird college to study to become a legal secretary, said: “At the moment, the US are really taking to the UK’s singers.
“I got into a taxi when I was there and The Wanted’s music was being played and I found that strange, but good. I was in San Francisco and I heard The Wanted’s music.
“I even heard Labrinth playing. From being over there and listening to the radio, they are definitely liking the UK music. I’ve been given the opportunity and a platform, so I hope they like my music.” Before jetting off, Rebecca is penning lyrics for the instrumentals sent by EMI and catching up with her friends and family in Liverpool.
She said: “I go to work and I come home, shut my door and I can be just Becky.”
Is the album still going to be released this month? This is good promo but it won't be enough. She doesn't have much of a presence in the US yet.
I think it won't be out for another month. It was meant to be out in a week.I think they're going for an increase release like Adele. Rather than big debut.
Release date is still May 29, 2012. The US package will include the bonus track "Backtrack". She had to cancel the radio tour, but she didn't push the album release date.
She's got performances on
the Tonight show with Jay Leno
The View
and the today show.
I wouldn't call that nothing. Right now, the whole scheduling and just everything is a mess tbh, but I still trust Columbia to make her big in the states.