James Blunt

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James Blunt Biography

James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount, 22.2.1974)

James Blunt is an English songwriter and singer who shot to fame in 2005 with the single 'You're Beautiful.'

James Blunt: Childhood

James Blunt was born in a military hospital in Tidworth, Wiltshire, to Jane and Charles Blount. His family has a history of military service that dates back to the 10th Century.

His early childhood was divided between England, Cyprus and Germany, as his father was a Corporal in the British Army Air Corps.

Aged 16, Blunt had gained his own pilot's license and he earned an army-sponsored place at Bristol University, where he first studied aerospace manufacturing engineering, before graduating with a BSc in Sociology in 1996. His education was completed at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst.

James Blunt: Military Career

Blunt was committed to at least four years of service in the army, as they had sponsored his university education. He was initially placed in the role of a second Lieutenant in the Life Guards and rose to the rank of Captain.

In 1999, Blunt served in the NATP peacekeeping force in Kosovo and was the first British officer to enter the Kosovan capital.

Blunt took his guitar with him and would often perform for the local Kosovans. It was here that he wrote the song 'No Bravery.'

Later on, whilst based in Switzerland he earned the captaincy of the Household cavalry Alpine ski team and became the champion skier of the entire Royal Armoured Corps.

Whilst in London, Blunt stood guard at the coffin of the Queen Mother whilst she was lying in State and was a part of her funeral procession.

He extended his stay in the army, but then left in October 2002.

James Blunt: Musical Career

Upon leaving the army, Blunt was signed to EMI's publishing arm and to Twenty-First Artists Management. His posh speaking voice caused concern for many record company executives. However, when Linda Perry (songwriter for Pink and Christina Aguilera, among others) was launching Custard Records in 2003, she signed him to the label, having seen him perform at South By Southwest Festival.

The debut album, Back to Bedlam, was produced by Tom Rothrock in 2003. Blunt stayed with the actress Carrie Fisher during his time in Los Angeles, recording the album. He had met Fisher through the family of a former girlfriend. The song 'Goodbye My Lover' was recorded in Fisher's bathroom.

Back to Bedlam was released in 2003 but Blunt was relatively unknown and the response to his live performances was mixed, though his music was often likened to that of Damien Rice and David Gray.

It wasn't until the third single, 'You're Beautiful' was released, that Blunt broke through to mainstream success. The song went into the charts at number 12 and eventually ascended to the top spot. The huge amounts of radio airplay given to the song also pushed the album to the top of the UK Albums Chart.

The Ivor Novello Award for Most Performed Work was awarded to James Blunt and the co-writers of the song. He also became the first British artist in almost a decade to reach the top of the US singles chart.

In 2006, he was awarded 5 BRIT awards. He performed 'You're Beautiful' at the Grammy Awards in 2007 but failed to win any of the five prizes that he had been nominated for.

Back To Bedlam eventually sold over 11 million copies worldwide.

All The Lost Souls, James Blunt's second album, was released in 2007 and was certified gold in just four days in the UK. The album was recorded at his home in Ibiza, again with Rothrock on production duties.

James Blunt: Personal Life

James Blunt's personal life has been well documented in the press and has been linked romantically to Dixie Chassay, casting director for the Harry Potter films, musician Camilla Boler and the supermodel Petra Nemcova.

Blunt auctioned a number of 'meet and greet' opportunities at his gigs, to raise money for Medecins Sans Frontieres as well as supporting environmental causes. He screens a trailer for Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth at his concerts.

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James Blunt Picture Gallery

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The Latest James Blunt News

James Blunt Not Prepared For Fame By Military

2nd December 2011

James Blunt's military training didn't help prepare him for fame. The 'You're Beautiful'....

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27th September 2011

Lady Gaga, Marilyn Manson and Bjork have picked up nominations at the second O Music Awards.....

Gary Barlow Goes Solo For Radio 2 Concert

12th September 2011

Gary Barlow performed several Take That hits as he played solo at the Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park....

Gary Barlow Joins Hyde Park Lineup

9th September 2011

Gary Barlow has signed up as a last minute replacement for Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park after....

Blunt Receives Raf Letter After Axed Trip

31st July 2011

British military officials have hit back at James Blunt after he complained about "gross....

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James Blunt Festivals

The Cornbury Music Festival

1st July 2011

The two-day festival, now in its 8th year, is home to a distinctive mix of Pimms-drinking rockers, aristocrats,....

Guilfest

15th July 2011

GuilFest was started in 1992 by Tony Scott, who still runs and directs the festival. The first festival attracted 1,500....

Summer Sonic Festival

13rd August 2011

Summer Sonic kicked off in 2000 with a line-up of mostly rock, punk and now hip-hop acts. Summer Sonic is unashamedly....

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James Blunt Video and Audio

James Blunt Love, Love, Love [iTunes Version] video

James Blunt, Love, Love, Love [Itunes Version] - Video

James Blunt Dangerous video

James Blunt, Dangerous - Video

James Blunt I'll Be Your Man video

James Blunt, I'll Be Your Man - Video

James Blunt If Time Is All I Have video

James Blunt, If Time Is All I Have - Video

James Blunt So Far Gone video

James Blunt, So Far Gone - Video

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James Blunt Reviews

James Blunt , Chasing Time: The Bedlam Sessions, Dvd/Cd Review

20th March 2006

Now I know that James Blunt is a very successful artist, which has only been confirmed by his Brit Award nominations...

James Blunt, Wisemen, Single Review

20th March 2006

Mr Blunt so popular is that distinctive vocal. No doubt this will be another hit for James Blunt, let’s face it if...

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Links

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Comments View All Comments (52)

15th January 2009   11:27

USEEME (1)

JAMES, PLEASE DON'T RETIRE, YOU HAVE BROUGHT MUSIC BACK TO LIFE! I WAS AT THE ATLANTA CONCERT, ON 3-4-08, YOU WERE GREAT, AS ALWAYS. IT'S WONDERFUL HOW YOU ARE JUST AS FABULOUS SOLO AS YOU ARE WITH AN ALL KINDS OF BACK-UP. HURRY BACK TO THE STATES! WE LOVE YOU! YOU TAKE SPECIAL CARE OF YOURSELF.

23rd May 2008   23:07

deborah (1)

I live in Tampa Florida and was wondering when James would be in this area or close. I would travel to Chicago or Atlanta. I think he is great.

9th March 2008   19:22

pinkyv1xen (2)

cool james blunt video interview from his birthday last week... www.busradio.com/videos
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