Interview: Andy Abraham
6:14pm Friday 1st May 2009 in Leisure
Interview: Andy Abraham
ANDY Abraham may have signed a five-album with a major label, hit the top of the charts and been mobbed while Christmas shopping, but his proudest moment was recording his third album.
That is despite the fact that Even If sold only a fraction of what his first and second albums did.
“After leaving Sony BMG it was expected that I'd fade into the background and certainly not bring out any more music,” said Andy, 45, a former binman from Enfield, North London.
“But it just shows you can't keep a good man down. I’ve brought out my third album and it’s all my own work, released on my own label, B-Line Records.”
Now managed by his wife Denise, Andy has succeeded where dozens of other X Factor runners-up have failed, and continues to work in the music industry.
He is currently touring the UK, including a gig at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Friday, May 8.
“I'm going to be giving Oswaldtwistle what for when I get over there,” laughed Andy.
“It's going to be a lively show so tell the audience they need to be working out so their energy levels are nice and high. The band is fantastic, the songs are fantastic and it's going to be a lot of fun.”
Andy believes the secret of his success is hard work and the fact he was never under the illusion that the X Factor owed him a career.
“When you come from the X Factor there's this illusion that you've made it because 10 million people have seen you on stage, but that's not the way it is,” he said.
“You still have to get yourself out there and show people that there’s more to you than what they saw on TV. Thankfully that's what’s been happening on this tour. Audiences have left the theatre feeling like they want to see me again. They're wishing me well and they're telling me they love the new songs from my album, which is great.
“I'm pretty tenacious about my career. I want to make it work. I know you've got to get the new material out there for people to enjoy. I don't let anything stop me."
Andy appeared on X Factor in 2005 alongside the likes of Chico, Shayne Ward and Journey South.
“I get a message from Sharon (Osbourne) every so often too. I know she's a busy bee, but she checks in with me now and then and she seems to be happy."
Despite being dropped from his first record label, Andy isn't bitter about his experience.
“I've come to terms with X Factor,” he said. “Now I'm carrying on working hard to show people it doesn’t matter how old you are. As long as you work hard enough you can do whatever you want.
“I’ve got a lot to be thankful to X Factor for. I mean, look at Susan Boyle. She’s probably been rejected by all quarters and then she goes on a show like Britain’s Got Talent and she’s a hero. Lots of big characters have a lot to thank these shows for.”
Equally, Andy hasn’t been put off by his experience on the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 when with his song, Even If, he finished last of the 25 entries, sharing 14 points alongside Germany and Poland.
“The whole Eurovision experience was really good, apart from the voting,” he said. “It seems like last year had such an impact on the committee they’ve have to change the voting system because even they realised it had just been ruined by political voting.”
Now Andy is concentrating on making a success of his career.
“My life is on stage and recording music now,” he said.
l See Andy at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Friday, May 8. For tickets call 01254 380293.
