Mihai Trăistariu
Mihai Trăistariu |
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Mihai Trăistariu (the billy boy - taranu in romanian) (born December 16, 1979 in Piatra Neamţ) (IPA: [mi'haj trəj.sta.'ri.u]) is a Romanian singer and musician. He represented Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 held in Athens, Greece, with the song Tornerò.
Mihai has a university degree in mathematics but decided to pursue a singing career. He is reportedly one of the few male singers in the world that has a five-octave range, earning him the title "the male Mariah Carey".
He has released sixteen singles and seven albums in his native country and is thought to have sold more than 1.5 million records.
In 2005 the single Cât de frumoasă eşti ("How Beautiful You Are") was number one in Romania for five weeks which prompted his nominations for "Best Male" and "Hit Of The Year" awards in March 2006.
Despite being one of the most successful singers in Romania, it wasn't until his sixth attempt in 2006 that he was selected to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The song Jokero by successful Romanian band Akcent was the popular choice by the televoting public, but Mihai's up-tempo dance number Tornerò, performed in English and Italian was favoured by the juries and edged into victory.
The song directly qualified for the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 on May 20, finishing 4th with 172 points, behind Finland, Russia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Mihai said before the contest that he hoped his appearance would help him build an international career. The song is already a major hit in Greece while the single will be released in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Sweden shortly. The single reached number 4 in Greece, in the CD-singles sales chart and his Album in place 9 in international album sales chart, 8 in Finland, 21 in Sweden and 38 in Romania.
His new album is also due to hit stores soon and is expected to include songs in both English and Romanian.
Discography
Singles
- 2006: "Tornerò"
- 2007: "Dimmi Si o No"
Charts
| Finnish Singles Charts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Week | 01 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chart position | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Swedish Singles Charts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Week | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chart position | 49 | 48 | 21 | 36 | 41 | 41 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
External links
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