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Michael Bublé
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Michael Steven Bublé (born 9 September, 1975) is a Canadian big band singer and actor. He has won several awards, including a Grammy and multiple Juno Awards. While his first album reached the top ten in Lebanon, the UK and his home country of Canada, it achieved only modest chart success in the United States. However, he did find commercial success in the U.S. with his 2005 album It's Time, while his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible reached number one on the Billboard 200.
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Encyclopedia
Michael Steven Bublé (born 9 September, 1975) is a Canadian big band singer and actor. He has won several awards, including a Grammy and multiple Juno Awards. While his first album reached the top ten in Lebanon, the UK and his home country of Canada, it achieved only modest chart success in the United States. However, he did find commercial success in the U.S. with his 2005 album It's Time, while his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible reached number one on the Billboard 200. Bublé has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide including 8 million in the USA alone.
On December 11, 2008, Bublé became part of the ownership group for the Vancouver Giants, a major junior ice hockey team.
Early years
Bublé was born in the city of Burnaby, British Columbia in Canada to Lewi Bublé, a waiter, and his wife Amber Bublé. He is the only son and eldest of 3 children with two younger sisters, Crystal (an actress) and Brandee. According to an interview with Australian talk show host Rove McManus, Michael Buble stated that he was "full Italian." For his education, he attended Seaforth Elementary School and Cariboo Hill Secondary School.
Bublé spent the months his parents were away [fishing] with his music-loving Italian grandfather (Demetrio Santaga), who introduced him to the singers who would become Bublé’s idols: Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Elvis Presley. The first time that his family noticed his singing talent was at Christmas time when Michael was 15 years old and they heard him singing "White Christmas."
His first singing engagements were in nightclubs at the age of 16 and were facilitated by his grandfather, who was a plumber, offering plumbing services in exchange for stage time for his grandson. His Grandfather also paid for his singing lessons.
At the age of 18 Bublé entered a local talent contest and was informed by organizer Bev Delich that he had won, but was disqualified because he was underage. From there Delich entered Bublé into the Canadian Youth Talent Search which he won. Following the win Michael asked Delich to be his manager. Delich signed on and represented Bublé for the next seven, not-so-fruitful, years. According to Delich, Bublé would do every gig imaginable; including talent shows, conventions, cruise ships, malls, hotel lounges, bars, clubs, corporate gigs, theatres, music revues, and even the occasional singing Santa Claus gig.
In 1996 Michael appeared in TV's "Death Game" (aka Mortal Challenge) as a Drome Groupie. Also in 1996, Michael appeared (uncredited) in 2 episodes of "The X-Files" as a Submarine Sailor.
Michael's first national TV performance was on a 1997 award-winning Bravo! documentary titled "Big Band Boom!" which was directed by Mark Glover Masterson. Bublé received two Genie Award-nominations in 2000 for two songs he wrote for the film Here's to Life (I've Never Been in Love Before, Dumb ol' Heart). He recorded three independent albums (First Dance, 1996; Babalu, 2001; Dream, 2002). But by 25 years of age Bublé had moved from British Columbia to Toronto, Ontario and was ready to give up the dream of professional musicianship to move back to Vancouver, British Columbia to pursue a career in journalism when his lucky break came in 2000.
Music career
Career Breakthrough (2000-2002)
In 2004, Bublé's career breakthrough came from a surprising chain of events. Michael McSweeney saw Bublé's performance at a business party, and received a copy of Bublé’s self-financed independent album from Michael. McSweeney, an aide to former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, showed the album to the former Prime Minister and his wife. Subsequently, Bublé was invited to sing at the wedding of Mulroney's daughter, Caroline, where he sang Kurt Weill's "Mack the Knife". At the wedding, Bublé was introduced to David Foster, a multi-Grammy Award winning producer and record executive who had worked previously with artists such as Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Céline Dion, Barbara Streisand, Kenny G., Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli.
Initially, Foster was reluctant to sign signed Bublé to his '143 Records' label because he “didn’t know how to market this kind of music.” Buble moved to Los Angeles for a brief period, with his agent, to convince Foster to sign him. Eventually, Foster agreed to produce an album for him if he raised $500,000 to cover the costs of the production, which Michael did. Foster ended up covering the costs of production in the end under his ‘143 records’ label, with no assurances of support from Warner Brothers, and after Bublé received the personal stamp of approval and support of Foster's friend, Paul Anka. Bruce Allen (manager of artists like Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, and Martina McBride) who Bublé had been trying to get to manage him for years, also signed Michael after David Foster agreed to produce Michael’s debut album.
Michael did some acting in this period. In 2000, as a karaoke singer in Duets opposite Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis; and in 2001, as Van Martin (a club owner), in Totally Blonde.
Michael Bublé Debut Album (2003-2004)
Michael Bublé, Michael’s debut album, was released February 11, 2003 by 143 Records/Reprise Records. The album features a range of standards from various eras including "Fever", "The Way You Look Tonight", "For Once in My Life", "Moondance" and "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine". Also on the album "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees singing back up vocals. The album went to the top 10 in Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and reached #1 in Australia. It was #33 on the ARIA Top 100 Albums of 2003. It achieved marginal success in the United States reaching the top 50 on the Billboard 200. Three tracks from the album (Kissing a Fool; How Can You Mend a Broken Heart; Sway) reached the top 30 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart.
Michael appeared on the Today Show with David Foster just before Valentines Day. The album sales were marginal, however countries like South Africa, embraced Bublé. A campaign featuring "Fever" was launched before Valentines Day with a quirky marketing campaign that simply stated "you pronounce it Boo-blay" The album went Gold there in then he began to travel places all over the world to promote the album. The tour included Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Canada, South America, and eventually the United States.
In November 2003, Bublé released a Christmas EP Let it Snow, containing 5 previously unreleased tracks, that peaked at 56 on the Billboard 200. The title track reached the top 40 of the Australia singles chart. A live DVD/CD called Come Fly with Me was released in early 2004. The Come Fly With Me CD was #99 on the Aria Top 100 Albums of 2004. The DVD included live footage and behind the scenes footage of Michael's first world tour. The CD included 3 new studio tracks, 2 live recordings of new songs, and 3 live recordings of song from Michael Bublé. The album peaked at 55 on the Billboard 200. In November 2004 the Christmas edition of his debut album was released as a 2-disc set that included both the Michael Bublé and the Let It Snow EP.
Bublé won the "New Artist of the Year" award at the 2004 Juno Awards and his album was nominated for "Album of the Year", but lost out to Sam Roberts.
Michael appeared in the 2003 movie The Snow Walker. Also in 2003 he appeared as himself on an episode of "Days of our Lives". In 2004 he appeared as himself in "Las Vegas".
Songs from Bublé's debut album ("For Once in My Life", "Kissing a Fool") were released on the soundtrack for the movie "Down with Love" (2003). The soundtrack also included a previously unreleased duet with Holly Palmer of the movie's title theme. The Junkie XL remix of the theme for the 60s TV cartoon version of Spider-Man from Bublé's Babalu album was played during the closing credits of "Spider-Man 2" (2004), and this version was also released as a single. A CD was released in 2004 of the 7 songs that Bublé sang for "Totally Blonde", calling it "Totally Bublé". After the success of Michael Bublé's self-titled debut, DRG Records belatedly released this jazzy soundtrack from the 2001 film "Totally Blonde" in which Bublé had a co-starring role as a nightclub singer/club owner. Capitalizing on Bublé's newfound stardom, DRG Records basically ignored the music's connection to the film by altering the title and putting a shot of Bublé on the cover making it appear as if this was a proper Michael Bublé release. The slight misrepresentation was not lost on Bublé who has stated on his website that he did not want these songs released but that it was out of his control.
It's Time (2005-2006)
Bublé’s second studio album, It's Time, was released February 15, 2005, again by 143/Reprise Records. The album included standards from a variety of eras including “You Don’t Know Me”, “Feeling Good”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “Save the Last Dance for Me”, “Song for You”, and ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’ (a duet with Canadian Pop Singer - Nelly Furtado). It also included an original track, ‘Home’, co-written by Bublé, his musical director Alan Chang, and Amy Foster-Gilles (David Foster’s daughter).
The album reached # 1 in Canada, Italy, Japan, and the Billboard Top Jazz chart, #2 in Australia, and # 7 on the Billboard 200. Additionally it reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, and Sweden. The album spent 104 week on the Billboard Top Jazz Charts, including a record-breaking 78 weeks in the #1 spot. It’s Time was Billboard’s Top Jazz Album in both 2005 and 2006 The first single, “Feeling Good’, was met with little commercial success. However, the second single from the album, ‘Home’ reached # 1 on Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and #72 on the Billboard Hot 100. The third single “Save the Last Dance for Me” reached the #5 of the Billboard AC Track Chart and #99 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The original track "Home" has been covered on 3 albums, since the albums release in 2005. It was covered in 2007 by Westlife on their album Back Home, and reached # 3 on the UK singles chart. In 2008, Blake Shelton reached pole position on the Country charts with his cover of Bublé's hit. This meant that "Home" became the first song to occupy the top slot of the AC and Country charts in versions by different artists since 1992, when "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston led the AC list, after Dolly Parton reached #1 on the Country chart with her own composition in 1974 and 1982. Home was also covered on Randy Jackson’s Music Club Vol.1 with guest vocalists Sarah Watkins (of Nickel Creek), John Rich (of Lonestar and Big & Rich), and Anthony Hamilton.
Bublé won 4 Juno Awards in 2006 for Pop Album of the Year – It’s Time, Single of the Year – Home, Album of the Year – It’s Time, Artist of the Year, and was additionally nominated for the Juno Fan Choice Award, but lost out to the Canadian pop band Simple Plan. Michael was nominated twice for a Grammy in the category Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2006 (It's Time) and 2007 (Caught in the Act) but lost, in both cases, to Tony Bennett. In 2007 Michael received 1 Juno nomination, for Fan Choice, but lost to Nelly Furtado.
Call Me Irresponsible (2007-2008)
Bublé's third studio album, Call Me Irresponsible, was released May 1, 2007 by 143/Reprise Records. His third effort included songs from different eras such as Always On My Mind, Dream, I've Got The World On A String, and Comin' Home Baby (a duet with Boys II Men). In the U.S., the album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and rose to number one in its second week. Only a few artists have been able to accomplish this, like Michael Jackson and Sugarland. The album has sold nearly 2 million copies in the US alone. Internationally, the album also fared well. In Australia, the album debuted in the top position, and was the best-selling album of the year 2007. In the UK, both the standard version and the Special Edition were best-selling albums, with the latter outselling the former (Standard: 300,000; Special Edition: 462,000). Additionally, the album was certified 2x Platinum in Europe with over 2 million copies sold. Call Me Irresponsible has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
The first single off the album Everything, which carried a more adult-contemporary sound rather than his usual big band style, was released in May 2007. The song became one of Bublé's biggest hits ever, reaching #46 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 in the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and #10 in Canada. The second single released in November 2007, Lost, also entered the Hot 100 at position #97 and #19 in the UK. The final single from the album, Comin' Home Baby, was released in April of 2008..
Personal life
Michael Bublé was engaged to long-time girlfriend Debbie Timuss, a stage actress, dancer, and singer. Both were in the musicals Red Rock Diner in 1996 and Dean Regan's Forever Swing in 1998.
Timuss was listed as one of the dedicatees in Bublé's self-titled album Michael Bublé and It's Time, and as background vocalist on It's Time. While away in Italy, Bublé co-wrote the hit single "Home" for Timuss.
Timuss was also featured in the music video for "Home"
. Their engagement ended in November 2005. Their breakup inspired Bublé to co-write the hit original song "Lost".
During an appearance at Australian television's Logie Awards in 2005, he met British actress Emily Blunt backstage. He thought she was a BBC television producer. She also provided background vocals on the cover of "Me and Mrs. Jones" on the album Call Me Irresponsible. The hit original song "Everything" was penned by Bublé for Blunt.
Bublé's publicist confirmed on July 11, 2008 that he broke up with Blunt.
On February 12, 2009 Bublé pledged a donation of $50,000 to the victims of the February 7th Bushfires in Victoria, Australia.
Discography
Awards and achievements
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
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| 2001 | Genie | Best Achievement in Music - Original Song - I've Never Been in Love Before | Nom. | | 2001 | Genie | Best Achievement in Music - Original Song - Dumb ol' Heart | Nom. | | 2004 | Juno | Best New Artist | Won | | 2004 | Juno | Album of the Year - Michael Bublé | Nom. | | 2005 | World Music Award | World's Best Selling Artist/Canada | Won | | 2005 | World Music Award | World's Best Selling Male Pop Artist | Nom. | | 2006 | Juno | Pop Album of the Year - It's Time | Won | | 2006 | Juno | Single of the Year - Home | Won | | 2006 | Juno | Album of the Year - It's Time | Won | | 2006 | Juno | Artist of the Year | Won | | 2006 | Juno | Juno Fan Choice Award | Nom. | | 2006 | ECHO | Jazz Production of the Year - It's Time | Won | | 2006 | ECHO | International Newcomer of the Year - It's Time | Nom. | | 2006 | Grammy | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - It's Time | Nom. | | 2006 | MuchMusic Video Awards | MuchMoreMusic Award - Save the Last Dance for Me | Won | | 2006 | MuchMusic Video Awards | MuchMoreMusic Award - Home | Nom | | 2006 | American Music Awards | Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist | Nom. | | 2007 | National Jazz Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Won | | 2007 | MuchMusic Video Awards | MuchMoreMusic Award - Everything | Won | | 2007 | Gemini | Best Performance or Host in a Variety Program or Series - How About You? (with Lou Pomanti) | Nom. | | 2007 | Grammy | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Caught in the Act | Nom. | | 2007 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Remake - "Save the Last Dance for Me" | Nom. | | 2007 | Juno | Juno Fan Choice Award | Nom. | | 2008 | ECHO | International Pop/Rock Male Artist of the Year - Call Me Irresponsible | Nom. | | 2008 | Brit Awards | International Male Solo Artist | Nom. | | 2008 | Grammy | Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Call me Irresponsible | Won | | 2008 | Grammy | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Everything | Nom. | | 2008 | Juno | Artist of the Year | Nom. | | 2008 | Juno | Album of the Year - Call Me Irresponsible | Nom. | | 2008 | Juno | Pop Album of the Year - Call Me Irresponsible | Nom. | | 2008 | Juno | Single of the Year - Everything | Nom. | | 2008 | Juno | Juno Fan Choice Award | Won | | 2008 | Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards | Best Male Vocalist | Won | | 2008 | Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards | Best Original Composition - Everything | Won | |
- 2007 Me and Mrs. Jones - Song of the Year in The Annual 2007 Résumé of Polish Radio Channel 3
Touring band members
Former touring band members
External links
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