Liverpool's Jo Birchall is set to release her debut album Something To Say on August 22nd - the final piece of a jigsaw some five years in the making.
After sending a demo to Gary Barlow and making it to the semi-finals on the first series of Pop Idol, her songwriting was so strong that Barlow signed her to the production company he co-runs, True North. Soon after, a record deal was offered be Decca - prompting her to be whisked away on tour with Westlife and flying out to Nashville to write and record the country-inspired album she craved to create.
However, it wasn't meant to be. A major restructuring at Decca left Jo sitting on a complete album with no way of releasing it. The illness of her mother and the sad death of her father prompted Jo to move back to her native Liverpool, before deciding to chance it in London one last time.
Whilst out walking with a friend, she was stopped for directions by a man that turned out to be Craig David's manager, who in turn introduced her to Adam Hollywood and Nick Phillips at newly formed Smile Entertainment. With career-guiding credits the likes of Madonna, James Blunt, Michael Bublé and Josh Groban under their collective belt, Birchall struck gold.
Something To Say is Jo's debut album, and was produced by Brian Rawling (Enrique Iglesias, Cher, Lemar). Now settled in London, Jo comments: "This has been my dream since I was a little girl and I've been completely dedicated to making it a reality. After all the ups and downs I feel my luck has changed and I've been given this opportunity. I'm so excited that I'm finally getting the chance to get my music out there." It's sure been a long time coming.
