James Morrison

Birth name: James Morrison Catchpole
Date of birth: 10 July 1984
Place of birth: Rugby, Warwickshire
Labels: Polydor
Career highlights: 2006 debut album Undiscovered went straight to number one and sold two million copies, earning platinum status, and he won the Best British Solo Male accolade at the 2007 Brit Awards Highest charting single: You Give Me Something, number five, 2006

Completely unknown, and at the tender age of 21, Morrison sprung to fame with the release of his debut album Undiscovered, becoming an overnight sensation.

Blessed with a fresh soulful voice that can be both rough and smooth, and rugged good looks, he openly admits plundering his parents’ record collection for inspiration. His favourite singers are Al Green, Otis Redding and Van Morrison, leading people to dub him the ‘British Stevie Wonder’. But his explanation for his distinctive husky voice is more humble – he had whooping cough as a baby and nearly died.

Morrison began learning guitar at 13, when his Uncle Joe taught him some simple blues riffs. He covered many 70s songsmiths before going on to pen his own, eventually being snapped up by major label Polydor.

In 2007 Morrison was nominated for three BRIT Awards, including Best British Solo Male (which he won), Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single.