Mike Christie (singer)
Mike Christie | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Phillip Christie |
| Born | 21 April 1981 |
| Origin | Redhill, Surrey, England |
| Genres | Classical Easy listening Operatic pop Vocal |
| Occupation | Baritone singer |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Unsigned |
| Website | Official Website |
Michael Phillip "Mike" Christie (born 21 April 1981) is an English singer-songwriter, composer, and baritone with classical boyband G4.[1]
Early life
Christie was born in Redhill, Surrey. He began singing professionally at the age of eight when he was offered a place as a chorister at Reigate St. Mary’s Choir School, and in 1993, he gained admission into Ardingly College where he studied singing under John Dudley and Director of Music Robert Hammersley. It was during this period he appeared in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral as a member of a choir at one of the weddings featured;[2] they would later record the soundtrack for The Browning Version. After his voice broke, Christie took a couple of years out, taking A levels in Chemistry, Art & Design and Music before returning to singing at the age of seventeen. He later spent four years at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2004 with Honours in Singing and Piano.[3][4]
G4
Before graduating, Christie competed in The X Factor as a member of G4 with Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff, and Ben Thapa where they placed second behind Steve Brookstein. The group released three albums before their split in 2007, with Christie admitting: "We'd had enough of each other".[5] However, after a seven-year hiatus, G4 reunited for a reunion concert at the Barbican Hall, and announced their 2015 reunion tour.[6]
Solo career
In 2010, Christie released his debut solo album To The Fore[7] which was a departure from the classical crossover songs he had been known for, and included several self-penned songs including "Why Not Today"; prior to this, he had headlined his Showstoppers tour in Birmingham and London.[8][9] A year later, he featured in a production of The Glorious Ones,[10] and in 2013, his own opera The Miller's Wife - written entirely in English - was shown at the Arcola theatre.[11]
Other work
Christie worked in property development shortly after G4's split.[12]
References
- ^ G4 Splitting
- ^ X Factor runner-up makes comeback
- ^ G4orce; Janet Tansley meets the classical boys who don't take themselves too seriously Fantistic four are so well g-roomed
- ^ Barbershop boys create popera era
- ^ I was such a pretty boy even my mother thought I was gay
- ^ X Factor's class act G4 reuniting for 2015 tour
- ^ Christmassy night from X Factor finalist
- ^ Former G4 singer Mike Christie performs at Crawley's Hawth
- ^ Ex-G4 singer Mike Christie launches solo career with Reigate concert
- ^ The Glorious Ones – Landor Theatre, London
- ^ G4's Mike Christie on writing his first opera
- ^ The X Factor: Where are they now?