Ten minutes with . . . Andrew Merry

Jun 5 2009 by Edwin Lawrence

EDWIN Lawrence this week talks to a young man with a big talent who has done some amazing things – and he's still only 18. Singer Andrew Merry continues to build on his reputation – everything from TV's X Factor to a prominent role in this year's Burns an' a' that festival in his home town of Ayr.

Andrew, I believe you're first public performance was in an unusual venue?

Yes, my first performance to an audience was at my Uncle Richard’s wedding when I was eight and I sang Amazing Grace. It was interesting because although I was so young I remember that the thought of singing in front of so many people didn’t really bother me and I felt confident. After singing at the church I was hooked.

You're from a musical family?

All of my dad’s family are musical and my mum’s dad played piano and his dad was a music teacher. Whenever we have a family get-together we always end up getting the guitar out and having a sing song. From a very young age I used to sit and listen to my dad, my uncles and auntie singing together and I believe this is where I gained an appreciation for live music, and also gave me the confidence to sing in front of others.

When we sing together you feel a natural buzz and it brought us closer together as a family. My dad and I have similar tastes in music and he has always encouraged myself and my brother Douglas to listen to top quality music. There’s always music playing in our house and I’ve got great memories of going on trips with my family with the music playing in the car. From a musical point of view these experiences have helped me to find my own style and appreciate how music can make you feel emotionally, and how a song can remind you of a certain place or time.

I believe you're about to finish up at Kyle Academy. What are your plans when you leave?

I have just finished my sixth year at Kyle Academy and I am waiting on my Higher English exam result. I hope to get accepted for a Commercial Music course at the University of the West of Scotland.

When I was singing at your Miss Ayrshire Post competition a girl in the audience booked me to sing at her wedding in April at the church and after the ceremony at the hotel. From that gig I have been asked to sing at other weddings. Also Mike Scott (who is in the Waterboys and from Ayr) allowed me to record one of his songs which is on my website.

Can you tell me about your amazing charity fundraising?

My mum and dad are both volunteers for the CLIC Sargent House in Prestwick and in 2003 I was visiting the House with my mum and dad when I met a young boy and played with him on the Playstation.

Later on I found out that the boy was suffering from leukaemia.

I was upset but so impressed with the boy’s bravery that I decided to do something to help. With my continued charity work performing at events and the sale of my charity CD I have raised £60,100 for the CLIC Sargent charity. My goal is to raise £100,000 by my 21st birthday.

What's the biggest 'live' audience you've ever appeared in front of?

The biggest audience I have ever sung to was at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh in December 2006, with 2,500 in the hall. The acoustics were exceptional. I didn’t even need to use a microphone. It was an amazing experience and a great thrill to sing there. I would sing there every day if I could.

You've gone to final stages in TV talent shows, haven't you?

Yes in 2004 I was runner- up in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and last year I got down to the last 12 under-25s males in the X Factor.

They were great experiences but I didn’t like all the waiting about.

However, the best part about X Factor was meeting Cheryl Cole. It was amazing to meet her and she is honestly the most beautiful girl I have ever seen (no offence to past girlfriends) but she really is special. I still think about her everyday, ha-ha.

But what about you and the Cheeky Girls?

After the Junior Eurovision I was invited by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern to perform on ITV’s Saturday morning Ministry of Mayhem programme where I met the Cheeky Girls.

Who are some of the other celebrities you've met?

Through my charity work and my TV experiences I have been lucky to meet many celebs and even Royalty. If anyone wants to see all my pictures and read about the people I’ve met just Google Andrew Merry or go to www.andrewmerry.co.uk

What are your five favourite songs that you sing at the moment?

My five favourites at the moment are: 1, A Song For You, Ray Charles; 2, I’d Wait For Life, Take That; 3, Lately, Stevie Wonder; 4, So Sick, Ne-Yo; 5, Feeling Good, Michael Buble.

What kind of food do you like?

My favourite food has to be my mum‘s homemade lasagne. I could eat it every night. I honestly think she could sell it. She would be a millionaire overnight. Also you can’t beat good old fish and chips now and then.

If you could choose between having a number one record and being Prime Minister, which would it be?

I’m not into politics that much yet. So this is an easy choice for me – I would say one billion percent, I would like a number one record. That’s my dream.