An Interview With Paul Child - Official Singer of The Welsh Rugby Union

Paul Child is Wales' biggest independent selling artist. Paul has sang the Welsh National Anthem at many of the Wales international rugby matches at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. ( When Paul sings, Wales wins!). We are extremely proud to welcome Paul to this year's West Coast eisteddfod in L.A. where he will be headlining and leading the singing of the Welsh anthem at the opening concert on Friday Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the bottom of this page.

AmeriCymru: Hi Paul...many thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by AmeriCymru. We last interviewed you two years ago. Care to fill us in on developments over the last few years?

Paul: The last couple of years have been really exciting, with the release of the 'After All These Years' CD in 2009, followed by the 'Best Of...' double CD "My Wales' last Summer. Both CDs have done really well, with the 'My Wales' CD outselling both Cerys Matthews' and Charlotte Church's latest releases. I also performed the Welsh National Anthem for the Welsh football team for the first time last October which was a great honour.

AmeriCymru: You recently performed at Disneyland Paris as part of their annual Festival of Wales, how was that experience and how did it come about?

Paul: Disney in Paris have been holding their Festival of Wales in March for the last couple of years, it's a great 3 day event which sees Minnie Mouse dressed in full Welsh costume for the weekend and lots of Choirs and performers around the park. This year they asked me go go over with my full ten piece band to headline the event. It was a great show with lots of Welsh people who had travelled over for the Welsh weekend as well as a great number of ex-pats living in the area.

AmeriCymru: At Disneyland, you performed "There's a Place," from your "My Wales" album - how was that song chosen and what can you tell us about it's creation?

Paul: Although the 'My Wales' double album is mainly a compilation of the most popular songs from my previous eight albums, we wanted to include a couple brand new songs, just to keep things fresh - Along with "Coming Home To Wales, "There's A Place" is one of my favourites. It was originally written in the Welsh language but we wanted to make it more accessible so it was re-written it in English, it's lovely song. The youtube link below shows a live performance of the track at Cardiff International Arena.

AmeriCymru: You're a father, do your children get to watch you perform? Are they ever able to travel with you? How do they like their dad's performances?

Paul: I'm a very proud father to Michael who is 12 and Kate who is 10. They have been to a few local shows and they like to get involved with the soundcheck and set-up. They are both members of the local youth theatre and Michael particularly loves acting and performing. We have just signed him up to a kids talent agency so we'll see what comes of that!

AmeriCymru: You will be appearing at he West Coast Eisteddfod in September. Is this your first performance in the States? First time in L.A.?

Paul: I am very excited about performing in LA, it will be my first time to do so but I'm lucky enough to have been there a few times in my life - I absolutely love the place! I remember my parents taking me the Disneyland when I was eleven and I made the trip again on my own when I was about 25. In Summer 2009 my wife and I took the kids over, we did Disney, Universal Studios, Seaworld plus of course Hollywood and the beaches. The Strand on Hermosa Beach has to be one of my favourite places in the world - I'd love to retire there one day!

AmeriCymru: Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Paul: Thanks you so much for inviting me to perform at the West Coast Eisteddfod, I am so looking forward to it. I'm sure that it is going to be a fantastic few days that we will all remember for a very long time - see you in September!

2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts - Fri 23rd Sept



Opening Ceremonies on Friday, 23rd, 2011 from 6pm to 10pm

in the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre

Admission to Opening Ceremonies/Concert $10

Featuring Performances by:

Paul Child

"Official voice of the WRU"

Michael Aston of Gene Loves Jezebel

Music • Acoustic

Monica Richards/Infrawarrior

Music • Video • Performance Art Installation

Interview by Ceri Shaw Email

Paul Child to Lead Welsh National Anthem at the West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts in LA

AmeriCymru is immensely pleased and proud to announce that Paul Child, the man who leads the singing of the national anthem at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff before Six Nations matches and who is known as the "official voice of Welsh rugby" , will be appearing at the West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts in LA this year.  He will be leading the singing of the anthem and appearing at the Friday night opening concert. For most of our readers Paul will require no introduction but for anyone who is not familiar with the man and his work here is a brief biography from the BBC music site:-

"Best known for his involvement with Welsh rugby, Paul Child is Wales' biggest-selling independent artist.

In 2000, Paul Child self-financed the album Wales Forever as a tribute to David Alexander. Although the cost was just £2,500, it has gone on to become the biggest-selling independently-released album ever in Wales, selling over 100,000 copies around the world.

In 2003, he appeared on the World In Union album alongside fellow Welsh stars Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey to commemorate the Rugby World Cup. His rugby connection has continued with pre-match appearances at the Millennium Stadium. Each time he's sung before the match, Wales have registered a victory.

Released in February 2006, Bread Of Heaven is the official album of the Welsh Rugby Union.".....more.

Read our 2008 interview with Paul here:- Interview With Paul Child - Official singer of the Welsh Rugby Union

More on Friday nights concert here. Buy tickets here.

Paul Singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

2011 West Coast Eisteddfod & Festival, A Welsh American Arts Showcase

HELP MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE: GO TO THIS PAGE:- KICKSTART APPEAL

AmeriCymru in association with A Raven Above Press present the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod festival, a three-day Welsh festival of arts, on September 23-25th, 2011 at the Barnsdall Art Park in Los Angeles. The festival will include open competitions in poetry, voice, comedy, performance art, and storytelling. The festival will accompany an art show, film screenings, lecture and marketplace.

In addition, A Raven Above Press will develop and produce a book of artwork by presenters in the art show focusing on Welsh mythology and legend. Each piece will be accompanied by an artist bio and explanation and historical significance of the subject in the piece. The exclusive book will be in color and perfect bound.

The West Coast Eisteddfod celebrates Welsh and Welsh American traditions in art, history, language, and oral and literary competition. We will hold an election of our first annual young adult representative and pay tribute to Welsh entrepreneurs and Welsh Americans. The expected attendance is 2,500 through the course of three days and will be open to the public.

The festival is to celebrate Welsh identity and expression. In doing so, it fosters positive self-esteem and creativity for the benefit of the greater community. The public will be encouraged to participate in these classes and competitions displayed in the Welsh tradition. Welsh Americans will benefit from learning about their culture through ongoing workshops and activities. The designated young adult representative will be evaluated on personality, talent, and community leadership. The appointed person will therein represent the West Coast Eisteddfod in the United States for one year as an upstanding role model, assisting in addressing issues important to the community and will help promote a meaningful association with Wales.

More about the festival: http://americymru.ning.com/profiles/blogs/west-coast-eisteddfod

More about the Barnsdall Art Park:http://americymru.ning.com/profiles/blogs/introducing-the-barnsdall-art

An Interview With Bruce Anderson

Award-Winning Tenor Bruce Anderson Releases "Sorrento," November 1st

Bruce Anderson celebrates the release of his third album, "Sorrento," Saturday night ( Nov 1st at 7 p.m. ) at the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion Theatre, near his hometown of Bridgend in South Wales. "Sorrento" has twelve tracks, including a cover of Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father," which Anderson dedicated to his own father, who passed away five years ago, and a live version of "Sammy's Lullaby," which Anderson wrote for his young son, Samuel.

"Listen and Buy"

"Sorrento" is his third album, following "La Musica" and "Mama." Mr. Anderson's music career has stretched over two and a half decades, spanned genres from heavy metal to opera, gained him wide acclaim and many dedicated fans. He's performed on stage with soprano Holly Holyoake and his own rock band, to name just two of his very diverse collaborators. He's twice won the Welsh Vocalist of the Year award and performed before an audience of approximately 100,000 at the 2002 Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, one of the largest outdoor arts festivals in the world.

Bruce Anderson "Requiem For A Soldier" a soldiers tribute ( YouTube)

Where was "Sorrento" recorded and who worked with you on it?

"I recorded the album at Sonic-One Executive Studios near LLanelli, with the excellent producer Tim Hamill, who has worked with the likes of George Michael."

How long has it taken to create the album and how does it feel to be on the eve of releasing it?

"It's taken a year to get the orchestral arrangements ready but, unbelievably, it took just two hours and twenty minutes to put my vocals on. It went very well. I'm looking forward to the release of this album. There's no weak tracks and it's my best yet."

Do you write your own songs and how would you describe your creative process as a songwriter?

"I do write my own songs but on this album there's only co-writing on 'World In Union/Cymru' and "Sammy's Lullaby.' When I'm writing, it normally happens very quickly. I think the best way for lyrics is to write done from the heart, exactly what you're feeling at that moment."

How did you come to singing, what inspired you?

"I started singing professionally at the age of 18. My Mum was in the West End [the center for live British theater] so it came naturally to pick up a mic from an early age. I remember being more nervous singing in front of my mum than the hundreds of people in the audience! My idols were Tommy Körberg, Richard Marx, Mario Lanza and an Australian singer called John Farnham. I also loved Def Leppard, they really got me into harmonies and melodies."

Is there any particular live performance in your career that stands out to you? Any one that had particular significance or meaning and satisfaction for you?

"Performing at Glastonbury was amazing: to 100,000 people, just a sea of heads. Coldplay were also performing. It was a very memorable experience. I also performed on the Michael Barrymore show, which opened a lot of doors for me."

You've switched genres or styles in your career and were previously a rock vocalist - how did that decision come about? What about your current style appealed to you?

"I like trying new things and experimenting with music. On the new album there's a track called 'Fleur Du Mal,' which blends classical and rock. It's quite an epic, which I'm very proud of. The classical stuff came full circle as that's how I started. Who knows what's next?"

Is there any place you'd really like to perform that you haven't? Any particular occasion?

"The National Anthem. The Six Nations, Wales versus England at the Millenium Stadium. I would have to get past the wonderful Katherine Jenkins for that honour, though. My great friend and colleague, Holly Holyoake also had the honour of this, you can check her out on youtube doing so."

What awards have you won?

"I've won many awards. Welsh vocalist of the year twice and all three of my Albums have been Album Of The Week on BBC Radio Wales, Chris Needs' Show. 'Sorrento' was Album Of The Week on 20th October and Katherine Jenkins is next week."

You've collaborated with other vocalists, who inspires you?

"I've had the pleasure of working with many talented people but at the moment I would have to say Holly Holyoake. She has bounced back from a serious back operation with great class and commitment to get back to the level she was last year. A true inspiration with an incredible talent."

You can hear sample tracks from 'Sorrento' and purchase this and Bruce's other albums on his website.

Bruce Anderson - Working Man (YouTube)

Bruce Anderson Nella Fantasia from "Mama" (YouTube)