New York, NY. (Atlantic Records) - It has been a tremendous 2006 for Custard/Atlantic recording artist
James Blunt, from the breakthrough success of his RIAA double-platinum debut, BACK TO BEDLAM, and his first U.S. No 1 single with 'You're Beautiful,' to an array of international honors and sold-out concerts around the world.
Last week saw the British singer/songwriter capping off the year by landing a remarkable five nominations for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. 'You're Beautiful' scored nods in the top two categories, 'Song of the Year' and 'Record of the Year,' as well as for 'Best Pop Vocal Performance.' Blunt also was nominated for 'Best Pop Vocal Album' (for BACK TO BEDLAM), and in the prestigious Best New Artist category.
Perhaps Blunt's proudest accomplishment, however, has been his work throughout the year raising funds for Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the international medical humanitarian organization. As of this writing, Blunt has raised an extraordinary $205,000 for DWB/MSF, whose life-saving work he first encountered while stationed with the British army in Kosovo, where he served as a reconnaissance officer with the NATO peacekeeping force. One of his most powerful songs, 'No Bravery,' was written in response to the genocide he had witnessed while in Kosovo.
The 'Back To Bedlam World Tour' allowed Blunt the unique opportunity to both increase awareness and generate much-needed monies for Doctors Without Borders/MSF. Beginning with this past spring's headline tour, a personal, one-on-one aftershow meet-and-greet with James was auctioned after each and every show - one recent auction earned $8600 in a single night. In November, Blunt played a sold-out DWB/MSF benefit concert at Los Angeles' House of Blues, a high point of a seven-week, 35-city itinerary.
BACK TO BEDLAM recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on the Billboard 200 album chart. Certified double platinum by the RIAA, the album is the third best-selling album of 2006 and includes the singles, 'You're Beautiful,' 'High,' and the current hit, 'Goodbye My Lover.' BACK TO BEDLAM has sold ten million units worldwide.
