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== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Dibesh Pokharel (Dibesh means light) was born October 24, 1997 in [[Kathmandu]]—the metropolis capital of around 2.5 million people in the [[South Asia|Southern Asian]] country of [[Nepal]]—to parents Datram and Maiya.<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite news|last=Neil|first=Denise|url=https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/article241977031.html|title=‘American Idol’ airs profile of Arthur Gunn co-starring Wichita, his parents and sisters|date=April 13, 2020|work=[[The Wichita Eagle]]|access-date=April 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His family, including four sisters, was not musical, although he was exposed to music at an early age and grew up with it in his life; as a child he sang and played small guitars.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":22" /> His family would play records and music and he wanted to do that as well.<ref name=":20" /> From the age of two he would blend songs together while playing his guitar.<ref name=":timp1"/> His first experiences with ''[[American Idol]]'' (''AI'') was watching the U.S. version online while growing up, he also learned [[English language|English]] in Nepal.<ref name=":20" /> "I got my first guitar from my mom and then I started singing along to any song I could hear on the radio, TVs, you know. That's when the dream [to perform] started."<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/dibesh-pokharel-american-idol|title=Who Is Dibesh Pokharel, Aka Arthur Gunn, on 'American Idol'? He Has a Compelling Backstory|last=Stein|first=Michelle|date=March 3, 2020|website=[[Distractify]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> His family emigrated to [[Wichita, Kansas]] around 2008 when he was eleven but he remained and finished school.<ref name=":20" /> Later he would sing in pubs and coffee houses, but mainly for gatherings of friends; he eventually recorded some songs.<ref name=":10" /> He started taking his singing seriously in 2012/2013.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":20" />
Dibesh Pokharel (Dibesh means light) was born October 24, 1997 in [[Kathmandu]]—the metropolis capital of around 2.5 million people in the [[South Asia|Southern Asian]] country of [[Nepal]]—to parents Datram and Maiya.<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":10" /><ref name=":22">{{Cite news|last=Neil|first=Denise|url=https://www.kansas.com/entertainment/article241977031.html|title=‘American Idol’ airs profile of Arthur Gunn co-starring Wichita, his parents and sisters|date=April 13, 2020|work=[[The Wichita Eagle]]|access-date=April 15, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His family, including four sisters named Rubi Pokharel , Rupa Pokharel, Supriya Pokharel and Komal Pokharel, was not musical, although he was exposed to music at an early age and grew up with it in his life; as a child he sang and played small guitars.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":22" /> {{Cite web|url=https://www.biofamous.com/dibesh-pokharel-arthur-gunn-biography|title= Dibesh Pokharel (Arthur Gunn) Biography, age, height, wiki, education, Girlfriend|date=MAY 4, 2020|website=[[Biofamous]]|language=en|access-date=MAY 4, 2020}}</ref> His family would play records and music and he wanted to do that as well.<ref name=":20" /> From the age of two he would blend songs together while playing his guitar.<ref name=":timp1"/> His first experiences with ''[[American Idol]]'' (''AI'') was watching the U.S. version online while growing up, he also learned [[English language|English]] in Nepal.<ref name=":20" /> "I got my first guitar from my mom and then I started singing along to any song I could hear on the radio, TVs, you know. That's when the dream [to perform] started."<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.distractify.com/p/dibesh-pokharel-american-idol|title=Who Is Dibesh Pokharel, Aka Arthur Gunn, on 'American Idol'? He Has a Compelling Backstory|last=Stein|first=Michelle|date=March 3, 2020|website=[[Distractify]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> His family emigrated to [[Wichita, Kansas]] around 2008 when he was eleven but he remained and finished school.<ref name=":20" /> Later he would sing in pubs and coffee houses, but mainly for gatherings of friends; he eventually recorded some songs.<ref name=":10" /> He started taking his singing seriously in 2012/2013.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":20" />


He immigrated to Wichita, Kansas around 2014 after graduating high school, and following his sisters who were in school in the U.S., and then was joined by his parents; there he was introduced to [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and [[country music]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/american-idol-season-18-ep-1-auditions-dibesh-pokharel-nepali-arthur-gunn-new-rockstar-gritty-voice-411200|title=American Idol Season 18 Episode 1: Meet Dibesh Pokharel aka Arthur Gunn, the Nepalese rockstar from Kansas|last=Polson|first=Brian|date=February 16, 2020|website=[[Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/american-idol-arthur-gunn-have-you-ever-seen-the-rain/|title='American Idol': Nepalese Singer Arthur Gunn Wows Luke Bryan|last=Hermanson|first=Wendy|date=February 16, 2020|website=[[Taste of Country]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> He bought a new guitar and befriended musicians and played the city’s [[Coffeehouse|coffeehouses]].<ref name=":20" /> He traveled and [[Busking|busked]] on street corners in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and a summer at the [[Ocean City Boardwalk (Maryland)|Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk]].<ref name=":20" /> He cites as inspirations and influences: [[John Martyn]], [[Nick Drake]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Bukka White]], [[Robert Johnson]], [[Howlin' Wolf|Howlin’ Wolf]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson I|Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Led Zeppelin]]/[[Jimmy Page]], [[Joe Cocker]], [[Mississippi John Hurt]] and [[John Lee Hooker]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":20" /> His musician friends urged him to audition for ''AI'', and Gunn knew he wanted to be a professional [[singer-songwriter]], and decided it was a good opportunity to learn more about the industry.<ref name=":20" />
He immigrated to Wichita, Kansas around 2014 after graduating high school, and following his sisters who were in school in the U.S., and then was joined by his parents; there he was introduced to [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] and [[country music]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://meaww.com/american-idol-season-18-ep-1-auditions-dibesh-pokharel-nepali-arthur-gunn-new-rockstar-gritty-voice-411200|title=American Idol Season 18 Episode 1: Meet Dibesh Pokharel aka Arthur Gunn, the Nepalese rockstar from Kansas|last=Polson|first=Brian|date=February 16, 2020|website=[[Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/american-idol-arthur-gunn-have-you-ever-seen-the-rain/|title='American Idol': Nepalese Singer Arthur Gunn Wows Luke Bryan|last=Hermanson|first=Wendy|date=February 16, 2020|website=[[Taste of Country]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> He bought a new guitar and befriended musicians and played the city’s [[Coffeehouse|coffeehouses]].<ref name=":20" /> He traveled and [[Busking|busked]] on street corners in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and a summer at the [[Ocean City Boardwalk (Maryland)|Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk]].<ref name=":20" /> He cites as inspirations and influences: [[John Martyn]], [[Nick Drake]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Bukka White]], [[Robert Johnson]], [[Howlin' Wolf|Howlin’ Wolf]], [[Sonny Boy Williamson I|Sonny Boy Williamson]], [[Led Zeppelin]]/[[Jimmy Page]], [[Joe Cocker]], [[Mississippi John Hurt]] and [[John Lee Hooker]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":20" /> His musician friends urged him to audition for ''AI'', and Gunn knew he wanted to be a professional [[singer-songwriter]], and decided it was a good opportunity to learn more about the industry.<ref name=":20" />

Revision as of 16:34, 9 May 2020

Arthur Gunn
Birth nameDibesh Pokharel
Born (1997-10-24) October 24, 1997 (age 26)
Kathmandu, Nepal
OriginKathmandu, Nepal
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active2014-present
WebsiteOfficial website

Dibesh Pokharel (born October 24, 1997),[1] known by his stage name Arthur Gunn, is a Nepalese-American singer-songwriter from Wichita, Kansas who came to national attention in 2020 as a Top Ten finalist on the eighteenth season of the singing reality show American Idol.[2] He started singing in 2014, and released his eight-song debut album, Grahan, in early 2018.[2] He released another album, KHOJ, in 2019 with singles including “Ma,” “Khoj” and “Karnali (The River).”[2] He is known for his “textured, sandpapery” vocals.[3][4]

Early life and education

Dibesh Pokharel (Dibesh means light) was born October 24, 1997 in Kathmandu—the metropolis capital of around 2.5 million people in the Southern Asian country of Nepal—to parents Datram and Maiya.[1][2][5] His family, including four sisters named Rubi Pokharel , Rupa Pokharel, Supriya Pokharel and Komal Pokharel, was not musical, although he was exposed to music at an early age and grew up with it in his life; as a child he sang and played small guitars.[2][5] "Dibesh Pokharel (Arthur Gunn) Biography, age, height, wiki, education, Girlfriend". Biofamous. MAY 4, 2020. Retrieved MAY 4, 2020. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= and |date= (help)</ref> His family would play records and music and he wanted to do that as well.[1] From the age of two he would blend songs together while playing his guitar.[6] His first experiences with American Idol (AI) was watching the U.S. version online while growing up, he also learned English in Nepal.[1] "I got my first guitar from my mom and then I started singing along to any song I could hear on the radio, TVs, you know. That's when the dream [to perform] started."[1][7] His family emigrated to Wichita, Kansas around 2008 when he was eleven but he remained and finished school.[1] Later he would sing in pubs and coffee houses, but mainly for gatherings of friends; he eventually recorded some songs.[2] He started taking his singing seriously in 2012/2013.[8][1]

He immigrated to Wichita, Kansas around 2014 after graduating high school, and following his sisters who were in school in the U.S., and then was joined by his parents; there he was introduced to bluegrass and country music.[2][3][9] He bought a new guitar and befriended musicians and played the city’s coffeehouses.[1] He traveled and busked on street corners in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and a summer at the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk.[1] He cites as inspirations and influences: John Martyn, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Bukka White, Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Led Zeppelin/Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Mississippi John Hurt and John Lee Hooker.[2][1] His musician friends urged him to audition for AI, and Gunn knew he wanted to be a professional singer-songwriter, and decided it was a good opportunity to learn more about the industry.[1]

Career

Early career: Grahan

Gunn first recorded songs in 2018 and around the same time started using his stage name.[8] He was reading Arthur Rimbaud’s—an influential French poet from the 1800’s—work, "His words were so modern and I thought his name Arthur would be a good stage name. A lot of people know me as Dibesh but Arthur is easier to use as a stage name."[1] The name was chosen somewhat randomly but it starts with art, he said: “I am fascinated with art in every form and outcomes it can create.”[8] He also explained, “Hur is a biblical name, which means ‘Hole’, nothing religious, though. Meanwhile, ‘Gunn’ symbolizes battle”.[10] When he started to seriously sing in 2013 he worked on shaping his voice, and then had mentors who taught him breathing techniques, and then enhancing his vocals.[10] The Voice of Sikkim noted Gunn is one of the latest talented singers from the Nepal area including Prashant Tamang, winner of Indian Idol (season 3); Prakriti Deuja, the first Nepalese American to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a National Basketball Association game in 2014; Nisha Rasaily, and Passang Doma Lama.[11]

His debut, Grahan, is an eight-song Nepali language album including the love song “Nyano Ghar”, released in early 2018.[8][10] Grahan means “about day and night, the sun and the moon”.[10] He toured in Nepal to support the album, and recorded new songs in 2019, including “Ma”, “Khoj”, and “Karnali (The River)”, which he released in December; all of which to be a part of a new album.[8] In February 2020, his YouTube channel had nearly 70,000 subscribers, as of April 2020 that rose to 230,000.[7][12]

American Idol

Gunn submitted an audition online for American Idol (AI) in 2019, and was invited to the September 4 in-person Wichita auditions for the third season of the rebooted edition—the eighteenth season overall of the show—at Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center.[2] It was one of twenty-two cities the producers visited over a four-month period “Bus Tour,” and the first time AI had visited the city since the show began in 2002.[2] Gunn notes as his favorite AI alumni both 2019’s winner Laine Hardy, and runner-up Alejandro Aranda.[1]

Gunn was featured in a December 2019 sneak peak for the show, the clip showed a portion of his audition with the show’s judges; Luke Bryan stated, “I think he might be the biggest star we’ve ever had on ‘American Idol.’”[2][8] Gunn is also one of several dozen contestants featured in a February 2020 AI commercial that premiered during the Academy Awards, and went into “heavy rotation”, it pays tribute to a scene in Almost Famous (2000), with AI host Ryan Seacrest driving a bus full of contestants singing along to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer”.[2][8] Seacrest tags the end of the scene by stating the contestants were almost famous.[8] Gunn knew he wanted to be a professional musician but had been uncertain about AI; he has become "amazed" at the experience, "I've learned so many things about performing and being an artist and the music industry."[1]

Hollywood Week was filmed December 2–5, 2019, at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California with 167 contestants.[13][14] For the first round Gunn self-selected the singer-songwriter music genre and had to be encouraged by the judges to keep singing a second verse of his choice, “Hard to Handle” (1968) by Otis Redding.[4][15] For the duet round he partnered with Amber Fiedler who was eliminated later on in the Hawaiian Showcase.[16] He reprised “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” (1971) by Creedence Clearwater Revival for the Solo round but did his own arrangement.[17]

Gunn passed onto the Top Forty and advanced to the Showcase round performing for a live audience—including his parents and sisters—in Kapolei, Hawaii at the Aulani resort. His sisters mentioned how proud they were, especially as Arthur has not had any formal training until the show.[5] The two-episode Showcase/Final Judgement round determines the Top Twenty and was filmed in January 2020. Gunn was shown on the second night performing “Is This Love?” (1978) by Bob Marley & the Wailers.[18] Judge Lionel Richie said that advancing him to the Top Twenty was one of the easiest decisions they had to make.[18] Gunn is the third Top Twenty contestant from the Wichita area since the show started after Rickey Smith who finished in eighth place in 2003 on the second season, and Phil Stacey, who came in sixth in 2007 on the sixth season.[18]

Taping was suspended after the Top Twenty were selected, and the contestants sent home, due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.[19] The rest of the season the show filmed all the on-air talent from their homes.[20] When asked who Gunn would like to duet with if he made it to the finale, his list included The Black Keys, Jack Johnson and Damian Marley.[21] In May 2020 Gunn became the first Nepali-born contestant in the Top Ten on the show; he performed a reggae version of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” for the show’s theme of evoking songs of home.[22]

Performances:
Week Theme Song(s) Original artist(s)
Online audition N/A • “Eddy’s Song“ (2011)[6] • Sticky Fingers off their Happy Endings EP
Audition N/A • “Girl from the North Country“ (1963),[9]
• “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” (1971)[9] 		• Bob Dylan,
• Creedence Clearwater Revival
Hollywood week • Genre challenge,[a]
• Duet with Amber Fiedler,[b]
• Solo 		• “Hard to Handle” (1968),[4]
• “The Chain” (1977),[16][c]
• “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” (1971)[17] 		• Otis Redding and The Black Crowes,[d]
• Fleetwood Mac,
• Creedence Clearwater Revival (Gunn arrangement)
Top Forty Showcase round in Kapolei, Hawaii • “Is This Love?” (1978)[23] • Bob Marley & The Wailers
Top Twenty Start of remote shows • "Lovin' Machine" (1952)[24] • Wynonie Harris
Top Ten: ”Homeward Bound” Songs that remind of home • “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (1971)[22] • John Denver

Notes

  1. ^ Contestants self-selected to one of six genres (Rock, R&B, Soul, Pop, Country, and Gunn’s choice, singer-songwriter), and were judged compared to the group they optioned.
  2. ^ Fiedler was eliminated during the Top Forty Showcase round.
  3. ^ Although not their full performance, a snippet of Arthur Gunn and Amber Fielder‘s duet song is shown.
  4. ^ Redding was the original artist in 1968, but Gunn credited both his and The Black Crowes (1990) versions.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bronson, Fred (April 5, 2020). "American Idol: Meet the Top 21 Contestants". Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lindemon, Meredith (February 17, 2020). "Arthur Gunn (Dibesh Pokharel) on 'American Idol: 5 Fast Facts". Heavy. Retrieved February 17, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b Polson, Brian (February 16, 2020). "American Idol Season 18 Episode 1: Meet Dibesh Pokharel aka Arthur Gunn, the Nepalese rockstar from Kansas". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved February 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b c Polson, Brian (March 16, 2020). "'American Idol' Season 18 Episode 6: Arthur Gunn cruises through Hollywood week and judges can't have enough". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved March 17, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c Neil, Denise (April 13, 2020). "'American Idol' airs profile of Arthur Gunn co-starring Wichita, his parents and sisters". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved April 15, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b ""This Is Me, Part 1"". American Idol. Season 18. Episode 11. April 12, 2020. ABC.
  7. ^ a b Stein, Michelle (March 3, 2020). "Who Is Dibesh Pokharel, Aka Arthur Gunn, on 'American Idol'? He Has a Compelling Backstory". Distractify. Retrieved March 4, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Neil, Denise (February 11, 2020). "'American Idol' premiere will feature a Wichita singer who's been all over the show's ads". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved February 18, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b c Hermanson, Wendy (February 16, 2020). "'American Idol': Nepalese Singer Arthur Gunn Wows Luke Bryan". Taste of Country. Retrieved February 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b c d Paryo, Garna (May 21, 2019). "Arthur Gunn – Gunning Towards Glory". Hallanepal. Retrieved February 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ ""All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them" : Walt Disney – The Voice of Sikkim". The Voice of Sikkim. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 19, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Gunn, Arthur. "Arthur Gunn [OFFICIAL]". YouTube. Retrieved February 21, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "American Idol 2020 Judges Auditions Begin in Savannah (Schedule)". September 30, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  14. ^ ""Hollywood Week -Genre Challenge"". American Idol. Season 3. Episode 6. March 16, 2020. ABC.
  15. ^ a b Pakyung (March 18, 2020). "Namaste American Idol 2020, Arthur Gunn Steals The Hollywood Week Show – The Voice of Sikkim". Sikkim News. Retrieved March 18, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ a b "Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgement, Part 1". American Idol. Season 18. Episode 9. March 29, 2020. ABC.
  17. ^ a b Polson, Brian (March 23, 2020). "'American Idol' Season 18: Arthur Gunn steps it up with refreshing take on Creedence Clearwater Revival classic". Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Retrieved March 24, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ a b c Denise, Neil (April 6, 2020). "Wichita singer Arthur Gunn advances to 'American Idol' Top 20, is clear judge favorite". Wichita Eagle. Retrieved April 6, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "'American Idol' Contestants Sent Home Amid Coronavirus Outbreak". Billboard. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  20. ^ Neil, Patricia (May 3, 2020). "Wichita's Arthur Gunn makes 'American Idol's' Top 11". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved May 5, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Kaufman, Gil (April 27, 2020). "'American Idol' Top 20 Talk Dream Collaborators, Winning From Home". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ a b "Dibesh Pokharel, aka Arthur Gunn, shines again, earns a spot in the top 11 of American Idol". The Kathmandu Post. May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ Polson, Brian (April 5, 2020). "'American Idol' Season 18: Arthur Gunn channels Bob Marley with 'Is This Love', enchants judges and audience". Media Arts Entertainment WorldWide. Retrieved April 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Ho, Rodney (April 27, 2020). "'American Idol' top 20 first-ever 'remote' show: who shined, who didn't". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 29, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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