Brandon October

Brandon Steve October (born 30 May 1977) is a South African pop singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after being runner-up in the first season of the reality television show, South African Pop Idols in 2002.

Early life

Brandon October was born in Cape Town at Groote Schuur Hospital.

A third generation Jamaican, German and Dutch he was surrounded by a family of singers.[1]

Musical background

As a child, Brandon listened to a considerable amount of Classical music, and one of his early influences was Luciano Pavarotti.

At an early age he performed vocal solos in church, and went on to perform with choirs and quartets in which he gained more experience. Thereafter he sang first tenor with a gospel group called From The Heart Singers and spent five years with the group touring around South Africa. He then moved to Johannesburg and joined a four piece gospel group called No Compromise.[2]

While singing for No Compromise a work colleague entered him in the South Africa version of Pop Idol.

Musical influences

Brandon's musical influences range from the smooth sounds of 1950s star Johnny Mathis to the rock vocals of Freddie Mercury, opera and classical music.

Career

While living in Cape Town, Brandon October worked as a lifesaver.[3]

Prior to his appearance on Pop Idol in 2002, Brandon October had made a career in advertising, and was working in Johannesburg as an advertising company designer and art director.[4] At the time of Pop Idol, he stated in an interview that his career ambition was to own his own advertising agency.[2]

Pop Idol SA 2002

Brandon October first appeared on television as an entrant to the South African Pop Idol show in 2002. He made an instant impression on the judges, both for his looks and his singing voice.[5] He was beaten in the final by 580,000 votes (37.82% to 40.21% ) by Heinz Winckler.[6]

A row over the result erupted in the South African press, with accusations of racism and vote rigging. Although the vote had been close, many commentators felt that the winner - who was white - had turned in a substantially poorer performance than the runner up - who was black.[7]

Post Pop Idol

Brandon October appeared on a compilation album Idols: The Album, released by Marcus Brewer, producer of Pop Idol. He gained a recording contract with BMG Africa, and his first album Temptation released in October 2003, was nominated for a 2004 SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album. Three singles off the album also achieved chart-topping status at both national and regional radio in South Africa.[8]

In 2007 Brandon released an album titled Opsoek na Liefde. In 2008 he went on a national tour to promote the album.

2011 saw the release of Brandon's third studio album. This self-titled album was nominated for a SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album.

Television work

In 2003 Brandon co-hosted Voila, a lifestyle program on M-net. He was a guest presenter on Pasella (SABC3), and co-hosted three series of the TV show, Supersterre. This show had a weekly audience of over 4 million. (SABC2)

Brandon has been called upon to lend his musical experience as one of the judges of the reality television show; ‘Ons Soek Die Sanger’ on Kyknet.

Personal life

Brandon October married Kathi Adams in 2008. They have two sons and live in Johannesburg.

Charitable Causes

In 2012 Brandon was appointed ambassador for Alzheimer's South Africa.

Discography

External links

References

  1. ↑ October, Brandon (2008–2009). "Brandon October Biography". Brandon October. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  2. 1 2 "Brandon October". News24. 2002-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  3. ↑ "Fantastic and incredible". Review of Pop Idol. News24. 2002-04-16. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  4. ↑ "First 2 contestants through to top 10". Review of second week of Pop Idol (News24). 2002-04-15. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  5. ↑ "The good, the bad, the brazen". Review of first night of Pop Idol SA (News24). 8 April 2002. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  6. ↑ "Brandon was so so close". News24. 2002-06-17. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  7. ↑ "Row over South African Pop Idol". BBC. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  8. ↑ "Brandon October". Actor profile. TVSA. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
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