Rufus Wainwright

Other:. Compilations of interest to collectors. Genie Awards:. Other labels. Juno Awards:. Columbia Records. He made his motion picture debut in The Aviator and will also appear in the upcoming film, Heights. Cadence Records.

His latest, a live iTunes Sessions EP entitled Alright Already is due for release in March 2005. Williams's birthplace in Wall Lake, Iowa is a tourist attraction open most of the year. It is a companion to the 2003 release Want One. He hosted a major golf tournament in San Diego for many years, which was known as the Andy Williams San Diego Open during that time. Wainwright's newest album, Want Two, of which four songs were released as the EP Waiting for a Want, was released from DreamWorks/Geffen on November 16, 2004. Williams is an avid golfer. Wainwright is an avid opera fan, and the influences on his music are evident; his music has been described as "Popera" (Pop Opera) or "Baroque Pop." His lyrics are filled with allusions to opera, literature, pop culture, and, more recently, politics (in songs such as "Gay Messiah" and "Waiting for a Dream"). Williams's homes have been featured in Architectural Digest, and he is a noted collector of modern art.

While some of his most moving songs feature just Wainwright with his piano, many of his songs display complex layering and harmonies, occasionally comprising hundreds of individual parts. They make their homes at Branson, Missouri and La Quinta, California. In addition to being a pianist, Wainwright is a guitarist, often switching between the two instruments when performing live; however, his mastery of the guitar does not approach his talent with the piano. Williams married a second time in the 1990s to the former Debbie Haas. He still often performs with his sister Martha Wainwright (now herself an emerging artist) on backup vocals. They were divorced in 1975. He has frequently toured as the opener for Sting and co-headlined with Ben Folds and Guster in the summer of 2004. To this union were born three children, Noelle, Christian, and Robert.

He garnered great praise for his performance and began touring as a main act shortly afterwards. Williams married French chanteuse Claudine Longet in 1961. Wainwright's first main exposure to the American public came as an opener to singer Tori Amos in 2001 and 2002. Nearly everything Williams ever recorded has now been made available on CD through a series of compilations from 1997 to 2004. Wainwright's sophomore album, Poses (2001), brought similar acclaim. His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By" was a surprise hit in England in 2003, following closely on the heels of a new duet of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with a British model and singer, Denise Van Outen. This album landed much critical acclaim in Canada, and was even recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best albums of the year. He continues to do 8-12 shows a week from September to December and occasionally makes tours of Europe earlier in the year.

The label signed him and he relased an album in the spring of 1998. In the early 1990s, Williams gave up most of his touring schedule in order to open his own theatre in Branson, Missouri, the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. After having been a fixture on the Montreal club circuit, Wainwright cut a series of demo tapes, one of which found itself in the hands of DreamWorks executive Lenny Waronker. He returned to television to do a syndicated half-hour series in 1976-77. He also became an enthusiast of such performers as Edith Piaf, Al Jolson and Judy Garland. He hosted the Grammy Awards for three consecutive years in the 1970s. Coming out as a homosexual while still a teen, Wainwright found solace through opera throughout his adolescent years (His track Barcelona features lyrics of Guiseppi Verdi). Williams has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years.

Additionally, some of his songs feature his mastery of French. His Christmas specials, which appeared regularly until 1974 and intermittently from 1982 into the 1990s, were among the most popular of the genre. He lived in Montreal with his mother for most of his childhood and briefly attended McGill University, where he studied both classical and 'rock' piano. He gave up the variety show in 1971 while it was still popular and retrenched to three specials per year. Despite being born in the United States, Wainwright strongly identifies with Canada and still maintains a residence there. Among his series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He began to play the piano at age six, and by age thirteen he was touring with his sister Martha, mother Kate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_McGarrigle), and aunt Anna as the "McGarrigle Sisters and Family." His song "I'm Running," which he performed in the movie Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller, was nominated for the 1989 Genie Award for Best Original Song and earned him a nomination for the 1990 Juno Award for Most Promising Male Vocalist. This series, "The Andy Williams Show," won three Emmy Awards for outstanding variety program.

Wainwright was born in Rhinebeck, New York to folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle (they later divorced while he was a child). Williams also competed in the teenage-oriented singles market as well and had some hit singles including "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Happy Heart," and "(Where Do I Begin) Love Story." Building on his experience with Allen and some short-term variety shows in the 1950s, he became the star of his own weekly television variety show in 1962. Rufus Wainwright (born 22 July 1973) is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter. This was repeated the next year with the pair's "Days of Wine and Roses" (which also won), Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards. 2004 - Nominated, Shortlist Music Prize. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" at the 1962 Oscar Awards (where it won), and it quickly became Williams's theme song. 1999 - Won, Debut Album of the Year, Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards. Williams forged a collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together.

1999 - Won, Oustanding Music Album, GLAAD Media Awards. Among his hit albums from this period were "Moon River," "Days of Wine and Roses" (number one for 16 weeks in mid-1963), "Dear Heart," "The Shadow of Your Smile," "Love, Andy," "Get Together with Andy Williams," and "Love Story.". 1989 - Won, Best Original Song, "I'm A Runnin'". By 1973 he had earned as many as 17 Gold records. 2002 - Won, Best Alternative Album, Poses. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time he had earned more Gold Albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. 2000 - Nominated, Best Songwriter; "Poses," "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk," and "Grey Gardens". During the 1960s, Williams became one of the most popular vocalists in the country and signed what was to that time the biggest recording contract in history.

1999 - Won, Best Alternative Album, Rufus Wainwright. Two top ten hits from the Cadence era, "Butterfly" and "I Like Your Kind of Love" were apparently believed to not suit Williams's later style; they were not included on a Columbia reissue of his Cadence greatest hits in the 1960s. 1990 - Nominated, Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year. In terms of chart popularity, the Cadence era was Williams's peak although songs he introduced on Columbia became much bigger standards. "I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture The Aviator (2004, Sony). Bernadette," and "Lonely Street," before Williams moved to Columbia Records in 1961, having moved from New York to Los Angeles. "I Eat Dinner" (with Dido) - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004, Geffen Records). More hits followed, including "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Are You Sincere," "The Village of St.

"It's Only a Paper Moon" and "I Wonder What Became of Me" - Stormy Weather: The Music of Harold Arlen (2003, Sony). His third single, "Canadian Sunset' (1956) hit the Top Ten, and was soon followed his only Billboard #1 hit, "Butterfly" (a cover of a Charlie Gracie record on which Williams imitated Elvis Presley). "When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes" - When Love Speaks (2002, EMI Classics). After landing a spot as a regular on Steve Allen's Tonight Show in 1955, he was signed to a recording contract with Cadence Records, a small label in New York run by conductor Archie Bleyer. "Across the Universe" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture I Am Sam (2002, V2/BMG). He recorded six sides for RCA's label "X," but none of them were popular hits. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Zoolander (2001, Hollywood Records). Williams's solo career began in 1952 after his brothers left the act.

"Hallelujah" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Shrek (2001, Dreamworks). This led to a nightclub act with Kay Thompson, a comedian, from 1947 to 1951. "Complainte de la Butte" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Moulin Rouge! (2001, Interscope). They appeared with Bing Crosby on the hit record "Swinging on a Star" (1944). "Instant Pleasure" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Big Daddy (1999, Sony). Williams graduated from high school in Cincinnati. - The McGarrigle Hour (1998). Williams and his three older brothers Bob, Dick, and Don, formed a quartet, the Williams Brothers, in the late 1930s, and they performed on radio in the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati.

"Shooldays", "What'll I Do?", "Heartburn", "Talk to Me of Mendocino", "Goodnight Sweetheart" and background vocals on various other tracks. He first performed in a children's choir at the local Presbyterian church. "Le Roi D'Ys" and "On the Banks of the Wabash" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture The Myth of Fingerprints (1997). Andy Williams (born Howard Andrew Williams in December 3, 1927) is an American pop singer from Wall Lake, Iowa. "I'm Running" - Soundtrack to the Motion Picture Tommy Tricker and the Stamp Traveller (1989). B Sides and Rarities, Collectables, 2003, (contains recordings as early as 1948, many of which had never appeared on any album before). Alright Already (EP; 2005, DreamWorks/Geffen) - available only on iTunes. Complete Columbia Chart Singles Collection, Taragon, 2002.

Want Two (2004, DreamWorks/Geffen). The Best of the Cadence Years, Varese Sarabande, 1997. Waiting for a Want (EP; 2004, DreamWorks) - available only on iTunes. 16 Most Requested Songs, Columbia/Legacy, 1990. Want One (2003, DreamWorks). Easy Does It, Metro, 2002. Poses (2001, DreamWorks). Andy Williams Live: Christmas Treasures, 2001.

Rufus Wainwright (1998, DreamWorks). Branson City Limits [Live], Unison, 1998. It's a Wonderful Christmas, Publishing Mills, 1997. We Need A Little Christmas, Unison, 1997. The New Andy Williams Christmas Album, Laserlight, 1994.

Nashville, Curb, 1991. I Still Believe in Santa Claus, Curb, 1990. Feelings, PolyTel, 1989. Close Enough for Love, Atlantic, 1986.

From Andy With Love, Hallmark, 1985. The Andy Williams Wedding & Anniversary Album, CSP, 1981. Greatest Love Classics, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, 1984. Let's Love While We Can, 1980 (not released in US until 2004).

Spanish Eyes, 1976. Andy, 1976. The Other Side of Me, 1975. Christmas Present, 1974.

You Lay So Easy on My Mind, 1974. The Way We Were, 1974. II, 1973. Andy Williams' Greatest Hits Vol.

Solitaire, 1973. Alone Again (Naturally), 1972. Love Theme from the Godfather (Speak Softly Love), 1972. You've Got a Friend, 1971.

Love Story, 1971. Andy Williams' Greatest Hits, 1970. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head, 1970. The Andy Williams Show, 1970.

The Andy Williams' Sound of Music, 1969. Get Together with Andy Williams, 1969. Happy Heart, 1969. Honey, 1968.

Love, Andy, 1967. Born Free, 1967. In the Arms of Love, 1967. The Shadow of Your Smile, 1966.

Andy Williams' Newest Hits, 1966 (compilation of early Columbia singles). Merry Christmas, 1965. Hawaiian Wedding Song, 1965 (reissue of the Cadence Records album To You Sweetheart, Aloha). Canadian Sunset, 1965 ( reissue of the 1962 Cadence Records compilation Andy Williams' Best).

Dear Heart, 1965. The Great Songs from My Fair Lady and Other Shows, 1964. Call Me Irresponsible, 1964. The Wonderful World of Andy Williams, 1964.

The Andy Williams Christmas Album, 1963. Days of Wine and Roses, 1963. Can't Get Used To Losing You, 1963. Warm and Willing, 1962.

Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes, 1962. Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing, 1962. Million Seller Songs, 1962. Andy Williams' Best, 1961 (compilation including Cadence singles which had never appeared on an album).

Under Paris Skies, with Quincy Jones, 1961 (William's Last Album of New Material for Cadence). Bernadette, 1960. The Village of St. Lonely Street, 1959.

To You, Sweetheart, Aloha, 1959. Two Time Winners, 1959. Andy Williams Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein, 1959. Andy Williams Sings Steve Allen, 1959.

Andy Williams, 1957 (compilation of A and B sides of second through seventh Cadence singles).