Absolutely. The power is in the hands of the record companies. If they believe in anyone enough to source good songwriters and musicians, then they provide adequate promotion, the singer will do well. However, we now have young, savvy people like Ed Sheeran who can go it alone until it suits them to have the backing of a big company. Then they have the upper hand because they can dictate terms that suit them. In other words, if you can prove that you don't need them, the big companies will seek you out.
Ed got a huge amount of experience, working the university circuit in the south of England. My granddaughter saw him frequently at UCL before he was famous.

Cheeky devil! How did you manage that?

I have my eye on the ball, always!

How very true, as a singer songwriter one has a fighting chance without the backing of a record company. I believe that fighting chance is a lot smaller than it used to be years gone by but non the less a fighting chance when compared to a singer only who has no chance without the backing.
I think ultimately they both end up in the same place with the difference being the non songwriter won't really get to express his/her music stile until they are establish and in a position to dictate.

I'm dying to see what Andrea comes up with. He said he's interested in writing his own songs, but they have all said that, even Lauren. So, we'll see. It will be easier for those who can play an instrument but I believe you can now sing to a computer and the music will be written for you.
By the way, I have been listening to Ignazio and he's still inclined to sing over the others in the Il Volo group. I love the voice of the smallest chap, forgot his name.

I think although some of his early material may have some of Andrea's musical taste on it we may have to wait for a second or third album before we get to hear the real Andrea...

Quite a few of the sections where Ignazio sings over the others are intentional, they are given to him for that reason.
Does it take away from the harmonies? Possibly, but the people are mesmerised by the power in their/his voice and want to hear it which is why you'll get those power sections from both Ignazio and Piero.

Piero Barone is the one who usually wears the red glasses, very powerful tenor voice.
Gianluca Ginoble is a baritone, he can sing Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra like no one else.
Ignazio Boschetto is a tenor but has a lyrical clarity to his voice which can crossover from pop to opera.

Get to know IL VOLO! Official EPK! When they first broke onto the scene.
Gianluca doing Frank Sinatra's Night & Day and Elvis Presley's Can't help falling in love.
Ignazio singing Quando l'amore diventa poesia (when love becomes poetry) and E La Mia Vita (it's my life) when he was 14/15.
Piero singing Where do I begin and No puede ser.
Together singing Painfully Beautiful when they where kids.
Together on The Talk show with Sharon Osbourne singing Elton John's Can You Feel The Love Tonight beautifully! And having a little fun.
Ignazio Boschetto's surprise tribute to Il Volo at Radio City Music Hall to show what a lovely fellow he is and how well the 3 of them get on together.

I've got to stop plugging IL Volo here on Andrea's appreciation thread but can't help myself so you'll have to forgive me! I love these guys and think they are the best artists to have come out the music industry for a very long time.

I'm so grateful we found out about Andrea's signing before the end of the tour, I would have been so stressed by this point had he not. Although my gut feeling always was that he'd be fine, actually knowing that he's started recording an album is so wonderful.
Can't believe there's only 2 weeks of tour left, it's gone so quick! So excited for the new chapter to begin.

I agree with what you're saying Dia6olo, about maybe waiting for the 2nd/3rd album to hear the real Andrea, but at the same time I'm sure he'll interpret whatever material is given to him in his own way and give it the raw emotion that is so unique to him. I can't wait

Thanks for those links. I shall try them.

Actually, I have been longing for the tour to be over. I so want Andrea's career to start properly. To think we were all heart broken and worried for him when record company bosses were getting ready to pounce. We'll never know the truth of that situation but we can say we're looking forward to what's coming. Go Andrea!

Absolutely, what ever he gets to sing, it'll have the Andrea stamp on it! Of course I was speaking about the type of material but you knew that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQGXj93AVN8 great video of Listen from last night

He never disappoints, his vocals are always great

I know exactly what you mean, to us he has that something special which made me feel that someone would pick him up, they would be stupid not too...
On the other hand, not knowing left me second guessing myself, maybe I was being bias with the Italian connection, maybe others weren't hearing seeing what I was and so on...

Fortunately we didn't have to wait very long and the people that matter have seen and heard what I/we Andrea fans have.

Thanks for that, another top performance.

What a brilliant video that is, it is the best I've seen yet He is just amazing

Yes and me For me there is something about Andreas voice though that I would listen to literally anything he cares to sing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVfY-T7XHFg - Earth Song from Sheffield.

The quality of the video isn't great but he does a really different version to what I've seen so far! Love the new ending.

Brilliant performance, not that I was expecting anything else


It's so different to what we've heard before, I love it
That's one thing I love about Andrea, he's so versatile. Every clip I see from the tour he's changed it up a bit.

It's strange that Earth Song is one from the tour that I find hardest to find clips of

He is 5 foot 6 apparently... My friend met him - she is 5 foot 8 and he was a good 2 inches shorter than her in the photos...

I've seen a few, but less than 1% of his tweets are horrible I'd say. There's some typical teenage stuff about his weight, the fact he looks older than 20, his sexuality, etc. There's also that idiot @MrCelebUK who doesn't like him.... But generally, he is very well loved

I know that I probably sound old fashioned but I really can't believe how rude some members of the audience are. I heard someone shouting "Mum, what time is it?" We were always expected to be quiet in the cinema or the theatre. People pay to hear the performers and only the performers. If that behaviour is the "in" thing, I'm out.

I love the jumper he wears in this clip

They could have made a bit more effort with the picture on it! Someone doesn't know how to use a computer.....

How's your picture coming on JazzyJaney?

Thankfully I haven't seen any of those nasty things said on twitter. I find it very hard not to say something back. I've gotten myself into trouble before on twitter replying back to nasty comments and attracted some unwanted creepy attention in the process.

I have seen some things said about his weight, how he looks older & his sexuality on comments in online articles. I've never had a login to their sites to say my piece (probably just as well) but other people have put them in their place I was happy to see

And you got the last post on the 100th page as well dia6olo - you're hitting all the milestones