|
The following biography
is from
Wikipedia.org
“The
Free Encyclopedia.”
Elliott Yamin (Hebrew:
אליוט
ימין;
born July 20, 1978), born Efraym Elliott Yamin,[1] is an American singer known
for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of
American Idol.
His self-titled album, released
March 20, 2007, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and
at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified gold in the United States
in October 2007. Retitled Wait for You, the album was released in Japan in May
2008 and certified gold in that country in September 2008.
Yamin also released two Christmas
collections: Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection in
October 2007 and My Kind of Holiday in October 2008.
Yamin's second album, titled Fight
for Love, was released on May 5, 2009. The album's first single, "Fight for
Love", premiered on AOL Music on February 13, 2009.
****
Background information
Birth name Efraym Elliott Yamin
Born July 20, 1978 (1978-07-20)
(age 33)
Los Angeles, California
Origin Richmond, Virginia, United
States
Genres Pop, contemporary R&B
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Years active 2006–present
Labels Sony/ATV Music Publishing,
RED Distribution, Hickory(2006-2011), TRP Records (2006-2011), Fontana
Distribution, Avex Group (Japan only)
Website
www.officialelliottyamin.com
****
Biography
Personal life
Yamin was born in Los Angeles,
California, to father Shaul Yamin, a Jewish Israeli of Iraqi Jewish descent, and
mother Claudette Goldberg Yamin (d. March 31, 2008, age 65), a Jewish American
of Ashkenazi descent[2] and former professional singer known for her "fiery
spirit"[3] and for receiving the "Golden Idol for Proudest Family Moment Award"
from Ryan Seacrest[4] during her son's American Idol competition. His family
relocated to Richmond, Virginia when Yamin was 11, and his parents divorced when
he was 14, his father returning to Los Angeles. Yamin has an older half-sister
on his mother's side, Jodi Queen, a married mother of two children and a younger
brother, Scott Yamin, in pharmacy school at Campbell University in Buies Creek,
North Carolina.[5]
A history of ear infections as a
child and eardrum replacement surgery at 13 left Yamin with 90% hearing loss in
his right ear.[6] He was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 16 and
wears an insulin pump to help him manage his diabetes.[7] Yamin is 5'6" tall.
Yamin first discovered his vocal
talent while singing karaoke in his late teens. Although he had not been
musically trained, he sang in a local jazz band and in amateur performance
forums emulating Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Donny Hathaway. He attended
Douglas S. Freeman High School in Richmond, Virginia. Dropping out of high
school in his sophomore year, he later achieved a high school GED while working
at Foot Locker (in their management program), a pharmacy, and as an on-air disc
jockey for local R&B radio station WCDX/Power 92 FM, using the name E-Dub[8] —
before auditioning for American Idol.
Yamin was in Viña Del Mar, Chile,
during the 8.8 magnitude 2010 Chile earthquake on February 27, 2010.
American Idol
Yamin auditioned in Boston,
Massachusetts, singing Leon Russell's "A Song for You",[9] but his audition was
not aired (it was later aired on October 24, 2009, as part of the American Idol
Rewind - season 5 show). He performed the song again in front of the judges
during Hollywood rounds, as well as Rascal Flatts's "Bless the Broken Road".
During the group auditions, Yamin and his group performed "It's In Her Kiss"
(aka "The Shoop Shoop Song") from Betty Everett; Simon Cowell disliked the group
performance, but Randy Jackson said Yamin was the best one in his group, and
Paula Abdul said it was a good thing she could look past two left feet, in a way
of saying he did not dance well but he could definitely sing. He was sent
through by the judges and made it through to the finals of the competition.
During one weekly rehearsal, guest
coach Stevie Wonder told Yamin that he should definitely pursue a career in
music. Simon Cowell stated that he thought Yamin was "potentially the best male
vocalist" in five seasons on American Idol and later, after Yamin's "A Song for
You" performance, he declared that it was a "vocal masterclass". His performance
of "A Song for You" ranked third on Entertainment Weekly's countdown of the 16
best American Idol performances in the series history.[10]
On the May 10, 2006, results show
Yamin, Taylor Hicks, and Katharine McPhee were announced as the top three
finalists. All three returned to their respective hometowns for a day of
festivities in their honor. Yamin's homecoming visit included radio and
television interviews; performing "Home" for more than 4,000 fans, capped by
Mayor Douglas Wilder presenting the key to the city; and meeting Governor Tim
Kaine, whom Yamin greeted with a hug. Yamin threw out the first pitch before a
sold-out crowd at The Diamond for a Richmond Braves game and sang a verse a
cappella of "A Song for You".[11] Video highlights were shown on the top three
results show.
Yamin was eliminated from American
Idol on May 17, 2006, after the tightest race; each of the three top contestants
received an almost exactly equal percentage of the viewer votes necessary for
advancement to the remaining two spots.[12]
Performances and results
|
Week # |
ThemeSong Choice
Original Artist Order # Result |
|
Audition |
N/A "A
Song for You"
Donny Hathaway N/A Advanced
|
|
Hollywood |
N/A "Bless
the Broken Road"
Rascal Flatts N/A Advanced
|
|
Hollywood
– Group Performance |
N/A "The
Shoop Shoop Song (It's in Her Kiss)"
Betty Everett N/A Advanced
|
|
Top 50 |
N/A "A Song
for You" Donny Hathaway N/A Advanced |
|
Top 24 (12
Men) |
N/A "If
You Really Love Me"
Stevie Wonder 9 Safe |
|
Top 20 (10
Men) |
N/A "Moody's
Mood for Love"
James Moody 2 Safe |
|
Top 16 (8
Men) |
N/A "Heaven"
Bryan Adams 7 Safe |
|
Top 12 |
Stevie
Wonder "Knocks
Me Off My Feet" Stevie Wonder 3 Safe |
|
Top 11 |
1950s "Teach
Me Tonight"
The DeCastro Sisters 9 Safe
|
|
Top 10 |
2000s "I
Don't Want to Be"
Gavin DeGraw 10 Safe |
|
Top 9 |
Country "If
Tomorrow Never Comes"
Garth Brooks 3 Bottom 2 |
|
Top 8 |
Queen "Somebody
to Love" Queen 6 Bottom 3 |
|
Top 7 |
Great American Songbook "It
Had to Be You"
Frank Sinatra 4 Safe |
|
Top 6 |
Love songs "A Song for You" Donny
Hathaway 2 Safe |
|
Top 5 |
Year They
Were Born (1978)
Current
Billboard Top 10 "On
Broadway"
"Home"
George Benson
Michael Bublé 1
6 Bottom 2 |
|
Top 4 |
Elvis Presley "If
I Can Dream"
"Trouble"
Elvis Presley 3
7 Top 2 |
|
Top 3 |
Clive Davis's Choice
Judge’s Choice (Paula
Abdul)
Contestant's Choice "Open
Arms"
"What
You Won't Do for Love"
"I
Believe to My Soul"
Journey
Bobby Caldwell
Ray Charles (Donny Hathaway’s
version) 1
4
7 Eliminated |
Semi-finals:
Week 1: "If You Really Love Me"
(Stevie Wonder) The judges loved his performance. Jackson called him a hot one
and brilliant, Abdul said it was a great performance since beginning to end, and
Cowell called him potentially the best male vocalist in the show in five
seasons.
Week 2: "Moody's Mood For Love"
(James Moody) Jackson gave Yamin a stand-up ovation, Abdul said his performance
was brilliant, and Cowell said although he was growing on confidence and gave a
great performance, he "can't win a show like this with a song like that".
Week 3: "Heaven" (Bryan Adams)
Jackson said he would sign Yamin right after his performance, and Abdul called
him phenomenal, amazing and fantastic. Cowell though said it was a copout and
for the first time there was a disconnect between Yamin and the song.
Finals:
Week 1: Stevie Wonder - "Knocks Me
Off My Feet" Jackson said it was not Yamin's best performance but at the end it
was good. Abdul loved his passion, and Cowell said it lacked of originality and
lacked the "wow" factor, although it was a good rendition. Guest Stevie Wonder
confessed to be impressed with Yamin, and said he should definitely choose
singing as a profession.
Week 2: Songs of the '50s - "Teach
Me Tonight" (Al Jarreau) Jackson said Yamin chose the toughest song of the night
and he worked it out. Abdul said she was moved by his performance, and Cowell
said it was fantastic. Guest Barry Manilow said Yamin sings great but should
keep remembering him about the story on the song.
Week 3: Songs of the 21st Century -
"I Don't Want To Be" (Gavin DeGraw) Jackson and Paula liked the performance and
the arrangements, Jackson calling Yamin a hot one, while Abdul called him "a
funky white boy". Cowell said: "great song, terrible arrangement, good vocals
and hideous dancing"; show host Ryan Seacrest liked the equation.
Week 4: Country Songs - "If
Tomorrow Never Comes" (Garth Brooks) Jackson said the competition finally
started with Yamin's rendition. Abdul called him humble, understated and stated
he has a reckless abandon. Cowell called it safe and thought Yamin was nervous
that night, which Yamin agreed. Guest Kenny Rogers thought Yamin could do great
with the song. Yamin was in the Bottom 2 that week.
Week 5: Queen - "Somebody to Love"
Jackson said he sang the hardest song and loved it despite some pitch problems.
Abdul said he was the best vocals of the night and said it was his best
performance so far. Cowell agreed in that Yamin chose the tough one and he
pulled it off. Guests Brian May and Roger Taylor (Queen members) thought Yamin
chose the tough one that night and did a good job. Yamin was in the Bottom 3
that week.
Week 6: Songs from The Great
American Songbook - "It Had to Be You" (Frank Sinatra) Jackson said Yamin did a
very nice job, and Abdul loved his performance. Cowell said it was a good vocal,
but that he showed no personality, to what Yamin replied "I disagre"; Jackson
and Abdul disagreed with Cowell too. Guest Rod Stewart called Yamin a blue-eyed
soul.
Week 7: Love Songs - "A Song for
You" (Leon Russell as performed by Donny Hathaway) Jackson hated the
arrangements but loved Yamin's performance. Abdul was moved to tears and called
Yamin an American Idol and said he celebrates what the competition is about.
Cowell called it superb and said it was in part a vocal masterclass. Guest David
Foster seemed impatient with Yamin, but recognized he sings well.
Week 8: Songs from the contestant's
birth year (1978); Songs from the Top 10 of any Billboard Chart - "On Broadway"
(by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, recorded by George Benson); "Home" (Michael Bublé)
Jackson and Abdul said Yamin started rough in "On Broadway", but then got it
together, while Cowell said it was disjointed. After "Home" Jackson said Yamin
showed a tender side and made a nice job, and Abdul said it showed the richness
of his voice. Cowell though said he was slightly worried for Yamin for singing a
song which states he wants to go home and because the song has not enough of a
hook. Yamin was in the Bottom 2 that week.
Week 9: Elvis Presley - "If I Can
Dream"; "Trouble" The judges liked his rendition of "If I Can Dream"; Jackson
said it was hot, Abdul said it was his best vocal performance during the season,
and Cowell said Yamin came to the show that night as the underdog, chose a song
which not many people know and yet gave the best performance. Jackson and Abdul
said "Trouble" was Yamin's best performance ever, and Cowell said Yamin fought,
showed personality and deserved to get through to the next round. Guest Tommy
Mottola said Yamin is a laidback kid and that he pulled it off well.
Week 10: Clive Davis' pick; Judge's
pick (Paula Abdul); Contestant's pick - "Open Arms" (Journey); "What You Won't
Do For Love" (Bobby Caldwell); "I Believe to My Soul" (Ray Charles, as performed
by Donny Hathaway) The judges had divergent opinions about "Open Arms", with
Jackson saying he had problem in the chorus and he should take chances, Abdul
said he was in excellent voice and did a great job, and Cowell said he was stiff
and he should loosen up. Same happened with "What You Won't Do For Love":
Jackson said Yamin was sharp, Abdul liked it and Cowell said he was pretty good
because the style suit him although it was not the best song in the world. After
"I Believe To My Soul" Jackson said it was not the perfect song for him but he
could definitely sing and he did a good job, Abdul said nobody can sing songs
like that like he did and called him a funky white boy again, and Cowell said
Yamin is a great guy and a great singer and has made his mother proud, but also
stated his song choices would not carry him through to the next round. Yamin was
eliminated that week.
Finale: Yamin performed a duet with
Mary J. Blige and participated in the Top 12 Burt Bacharach's medley and the
'guys' medley'.
Guys Medley: "Takin’ Care Of
Business" (Bachman–Turner Overdrive) / "Tobacco Road" (John D. Loudermilk) /
"Don’t Stop" (Fleetwood Mac).
"One" (U2 as performed by Mary J.
Blige & U2) with Mary J. Blige
"A House is Not a Home" (by Burt
Bacharach)
After Idol
Yamin appeared on several talk
shows, including the Tonight Show, Live with Regis and Kelly and the Fox News
Channel program, Dayside. On June 11, 2006, he performed the national anthem a
cappella at Game 2 of the NBA finals.
He also appeared in the annual Pop
Tart-sponsored national American Idols LIVE! Tour between July and September
2006. The tour included a sold-out show at the Richmond Coliseum in Yamin's
hometown.[13]
On October 8, 2006, Yamin performed
at the Virginia State Fair as the closing act. He was the first contestant from
Season 5 to have his own solo concert. His backup band was the Little Memphis
Blues Orchestra. There was no new material featured in the concert; instead, he
sang nine cover songs.
Virginia State Fair Song List [show]"Use
Me" (Bill Withers)"Ready For Love" (Bad Company)"Little Ghetto Boy" (Donny
Hathaway)"I Believe To My Soul" (Donny Hathaway)"You've Got a Friend" (James
Taylor)"Empty Arms" (Stevie Ray Vaughan)"I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
(Donny Hathaway)"What's Going On?" (Marvin Gaye)"Whipping Post" (The Allman
Brothers Band)
On December 8, 2006, Yamin sang the
national anthem, Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" and his newly-released single,
"This Christmas", as part of the 2006 Genworth Children's Advantage Classic
(sponsored by the Genworth Foundation) at the Alltel Pavilion at the Virginia
Commonwealth University's Stuart C. Siegel Center in Richmond. Proceeds from the
tennis event, which featured James Blake, Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, and
Steffi Graf, benefited local programs for disadvantaged youth.[14]
Music career
Pre-Idol recordings
In 2005, Yamin was featured on
three tracks ("Sound Doctrine", "Song of Hope", and "Whatchacomeherefoe?") of
Richmond, Virginia gospel musical artist Big Planz's album Sound Doctrine.[15]
Four renditions of another song he recorded with Big Planz, "The Storm", were
released on iTunes.
Post-Idol recordings
In December 2006, Yamin announced a
music publishing contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.[16] On January 25,
2007, Yamin signed a record deal with Hickory Records, a Sony/ATV-owned imprint
set up as a "virtual label,"[17] and RED Distribution, a leading distributor for
independent record labels in the United States.[18] Yamin has stated that "Sony
invested in [him] as a partner" as part of a 50/50 deal, which means that
"[they] both stand or fall."[17]
2007–2008: Elliott Yamin
As a teaser, Yamin released the
song "Movin' On" from his self-titled debut album on AOL's First Listen and
iTunes in February 2007. His first radio single, "Wait For You", was released on
March 13, 2007.
Elliott Yamin was released on March
20, 2007, debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 chart with sales of
90,000 copies in its first week. The album was the highest new artist debut on
an independent label in SoundScan history.[19] The album was certified gold
status by the RIAA on October 12, 2007.[20]
To promote his album, Yamin made TV
appearances on Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, "Rachael
Ray", Jimmy Kimmel Live, and TRL, where the video for the song "Wait For You"
was premiered on March 20, 2007. He also signed CDs at the New York Times Square
Virgin Megastore across from the TRL studio and at Circuit City in his hometown,
Richmond, Virginia, where the line went around the building.[21]
During April and May 2007, Yamin
embarked on a radio tour which included interviews and acoustic in-studio
performances, accompanied by guitarist Russell Ali. Mark Gorlick (VP Artist
Development & Marketing, Sony/BMG RED) emphasized the importance of this type of
promotion: "We put together a five-week promo tour across the country, and just
worked it...When programmers saw that the Elliott in person was consistent with
the Elliott they saw on television that was huge."[22]
On May 16, 2007, Yamin performed
his hit single, "Wait for You", on the American Idol Season 6 Top 3 results
show. The song jumped 60 spots on iTunes in a few hours as well as from 80 to 31
on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the performance, sales of his self-titled
album increased, jumping 47 spots on the Billboard 200, from 67 to 20.
Yamin toured North America during
May and June 2007, with pop/R&B singer Josh Hoge opening for him. The tour
continued in October and November 2007, again with Hoge opening and adding the
rock band The Last Goodnight. Fellow American Idol 5 alumnus José "Sway" Penala
was added to Yamin's band to provide backing vocals.
Yamin performed in Washington, DC,
at the country's biggest Independence Day celebration, "A Capitol Fourth",
televised live on PBS on July 4, 2007, singing "In Love With You Forever" and
"America the Beautiful". During August 2007, Yamin visited several local
television morning shows for interviews and acoustic performances. He also
appeared as himself on the television soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful
(aired August 24) and the television drama Lincoln Heights (aired September 20),
performing "Wait for You".
Yamin visited the Philippines in
September 2007 for a free mall concert tour of the Ayala Malls to promote his
self-titled album. During his press conference at the Glorietta Activity Center,
Yamin expressed his excitement at being a part of the "warm and
friendly...Filipino culture" and his desire to return with his full band for a
concert tour.[23] Following his TriNoma show on September 21, members of his fan
group Yaminoys presented him with a "mini-me" Elliott doll. During the last
concert held at the Alabang Town Center, Yamin accidentally stepped on the cord
of his microphone while performing "Wait for You", inadvertently unplugging his
microphone from the cord. A video of this can be seen on YouTube.
On December 1, 2007, Yamin
performed at the Live & Loud 07 Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where
he was the opening act for one of his personal idols, Whitney Houston. However
he did not meet Houston.
Elliott Yamin placed on four
year-end Billboard charts for 2007, ranking at number 3 on the Independent
Albums chart and at number 114 on The Billboard 200 chart,[24] as well as
ranking at number 39 on the Independent Albums Decade End Chart (2009).[25]
"Wait for You" placed on six year-end Billboard charts for 2007, ranking at
number 11 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart and at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100
Songs chart.[26] "Wait for You" was honored as one of the most performed songs
in the ASCAP repertory during 2007;[27] Yamin performed it at the 25th Annual
ASCAP Pop Music Awards on April 9, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre in Los
Angeles.[28] The song was certified Platinum in digital sales on October 16,
2008.[20]
Yamin traveled to the United
Kingdom, Belgium, Holland and Germany to entertain service members as part of a
USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour from February 12 to February 21, 2008.[29]
On March 2, 2008, accompanied by
Fantasia and a film crew, Yamin went on a four-day trip to Angola as a guest of
Idol Gives Back sponsor ExxonMobil for the "Idol Gives Back" special. Footage of
the pair distributing mosquito nets to villagers as part of the Malaria No More
program was shown on the American Idol Season 7 Top 11 results show (March 19,
2008). Fantasia sang "Amazing Grace" and, following the local custom of naming a
newborn after a visitor, a baby boy was named "Elliott", which reduced Yamin to
tears. Yamin attended but did not perform on the Idol Gives Back show, broadcast
on April 9, 2008.
On April 16, 2008, Yamin performed
on the American Idol Season 7 Top 7 results show — dedicating the song "Free" to
his late mother, Claudette Yamin (See Personal Life).
A Japan edition of Yamin's debut
album was released on May 21, 2008, by Avex Trax. Retitled Wait for You, the
album included bonus tracks "Believe" and "In Love With You Forever", the latter
song featured in a Toyota Vitz commercial airing in Japan. Yamin made several
trips to Japan during 2008 for media interviews and appearances to promote the
album and performed 10 shows at Billboard Live venues in Tokyo, Osaka, and
Fukuoka in August.[30] The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry
Association of Japan (RIAJ) in September 2008.[31] A Premium Edition was
released on October 8, 2008, containing additional bonus tracks: "A Whiter Shade
of Pale" and "I'll Make You Dance", plus Yamin's cover version of "Home",
originally from Japanese singer Yusaku Kiyama, who recorded a Japanese version
of the song "Wait for You" in return. Kiyama and Yamin performed together during
Yamin's October visit to promote the release of the Wait for You Premium
Edition.[30] Yamin was named one of the Best 3 New Artists (International) by
the 23rd Annual Japan Gold Disc Awards along with Leona Lewis and Flo Rida.[32]
A standard edition and a special edition of Wait for You with different bonus
tracks were also released in Taiwan in July and September 2008,
respectively.[33]
2009–2010: Fight for Love
"Fight for Love", the title track
and lead single from Yamin's second album, premiered on AOL Music on February
13, 2009.[34] The song, co-written and co-produced by Johntá Austin, became
available at iTunes and other digital outlets on March 10, 2009;[35] and was
officially released for Top 40 and Rhythm radio airplay the same day.[36]
Fight for Love was released on May
5, 2009.[34] Yamin recorded 35 songs from which to choose the final track list
and worked with various producers, including Jermaine Dupri, Eman, Harvey Mason,
Jr., Steve Russell and Stargate.[37] Yamin has described the album as more
contemporary R&B pop than his debut[38] with three or four more "radio-friendly"
singles.[39] Yamin co-wrote the majority of songs for the album, including
“Someday”, a song about his feelings of loss following the death of his
mother.[38] His collaboration with Jermaine Dupri, "When I'm Gone", became a
bonus track on the Japanese edition, which was released on May 20, 2009. A
Premium Edition of the album was released in Japan on October 21, 2009.[40]
During March through early June
2009, Yamin promoted the new album with acoustic performances on air at radio
stations and at radio-sponsored concerts, as well as a few club shows with his
full band. Promotion in June 2009 included a 3-week visit to Japan with 14 shows
at Billboard Live venues and other appearances.
The second single, "Can't Keep on
Loving You (From a Distance)", was released to Adult Contemporary radio on
August 10, 2009.[41]
Yamin and his band began their
second USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour on October 7, 2009, performing four
concerts for troops and their families over 10 days in Guam and Japan.[42]
On January 2, 2010, Yamin kicked
off a month-long Fight for Love tour, which he described as “acoustic with a
cool twist”, in Alexandria, Virginia.[43] The tour schedule included dates in
the Northeastern and Southeastern United States, as well as Arizona and
California,[44] although the California dates were subsequently cancelled.[45]
In February 2010, Yamin returned to
Angola as a representative of Idol Gives Back, this time accompanied by Kara
DioGuardi.[46] During his performance at the 1st Annual Washington Ideas Forum
on October 2, 2009, Yamin had announced a $100,000 grant to the Saint Isabel
Orphanage and School in Luanda, Angola, from ExxonMobil as part of their malaria
prevention program. The grant was made to enable the school, which Yamin had
visited in 2008 with Fantasia, to improve and expand their facility.[47] Video
of Yamin and DioGuardi visiting the ongoing construction of the school
dormitory, as well as distributing bed nets, was shown on the American Idol
Season 9 Top 9 (second week) results show (April 14, 2010). Sister Domingas
Loureira, director of the orphanage, flew to Los Angeles as a guest of American
Idol and ExxonMobil and sat next to Yamin at Idol Gives Back performance on
April 21, 2010. Later that week, Yamin performed the National Anthem in honor of
World Malaria Day at Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox baseball games.
From February 22 to February 27,
2010, Yamin represented the U.S.A. in the international competition of the LI
Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar (LI International Song
Festival of Viña del Mar), in Chile, against interpreters from Argentina, Chile,
Cuba, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Spain and U.K. The competition's theme was
"Songs with History", and Yamin performed "Rock Around the Clock".[48] On
February 25, he was announced as one of the five semifinalists in the Festival,
along with the representative artists of Argentina, Cuba, Italy and Chile. On
February 26 the three finalists were announced: Argentina, Cuba and Italy; Chile
and the USA were eliminated from the competition that night.
During the early morning hours of
February 27, as the festival entered its final day, Chile experienced a
magnitude 8.8 earthquake. Yamin was uninjured — relaying his experience via
multiple Twitter messages and phone interviews with American media the morning
of the 27th.[49]
On March 7, 2010, Yamin performed
at the 11th Annual Children Uniting Nations Oscar Celebration, held at the
Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
In June 2010, Yamin was invited by
United Airlines to fly on its inaugural flight from Washington, DC, to Accra,
Ghana. While in Ghana, he helped the non-profit organization Malaria No More
deliver mosquito nets donated by ExxonMobil to a children's hospital in Accra.
2011: Gather 'Round
On February 2, 2011, Yamin
released, exclusively for the Japanese market, his third studio album, Gather
'Round, which contains 12 tracks.[citation needed] He traveled to Japan to
promote the album.[citation needed]
A May, 2011 interview with American
Idol blogger Rodney Ho of the Atlantic Journal Constitution indicated Yamin was
no longer with Hickory Records and had not signed with another US label.[50]
Holiday collections
Sounds of the Season: The Elliott
Yamin Holiday Collection
On October 14, 2007, Yamin released
Sounds Of The Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection, a Christmas album
with 8 tracks, including two originals recorded specifically for the album.
Distributed exclusively through Target stores during the 2007 holiday season, it
sold 81,000 copies.
My Kind of HolidayOn October 7,
2008, Yamin released another holiday album titled My Kind of Holiday.[51] It
includes the 8 tracks from Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday
Collection, plus 2 new tracks: "Back Door Santa" and "Christmas Without Carol",
which he co-wrote.[52]
My Kind of Holiday Track Listing
[show]0."This Christmas"0."Warm Me Up"0."Jingle Bells"0."A Very Merry
Christmas"0."Little Drummer Boy"0."Back Door Santa"0."The Christmas
Song"0."Merry Christmas, Baby"0."Let’s Be Naughty (And Save Santa the
Trip)"0."Christmas Without Carol"
The Japan Exclusive Edition of the
album was released on December 10, 2008, and includes three bonus tracks:
"Sharing the Night Together", an acoustic version of "Home", and "Wait for You
(The Standard Club Piano Dance Remix)".[40]
Compilation albums
Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol.
1On March 11, 2008, producer Randy Jackson released his first studio album, in
which Yamin features in a duet with American Idol co-contestant Katharine McPhee.[53]
The song, "Real Love", is a cover of a Lee Ryan song, using the male/female
structure of the Trinity Stone featuring Ne-Yo cover. The song was released as a
single for radio airplay on April 22, 2008.[54]
DisneyMania 6
Yamin covered Elton John's Academy
Award-winning song in 1994, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from Disney's The
Lion King, for the compilation album DisneyMania 6, released on May 20, 2008.
On October 27, 2008, Yamin
performed in a concert as part of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the
Peres Center for Peace in Israel. The concert was entitled "Believe: Celebrating
a Decade of Peacebuilding Activities" and took place at the Tel Aviv Performing
Arts Center. Yamin performed "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", and then closed
the concert in a duet with singer Liel Kolet, performing "I Wish That...", a
song written by Diane Warren. Other artists that were scheduled to perform
include Andrea Bocelli, Slash and Dave Koz.[55]
Collaborations
Taylor Hicks: The DistanceYamin
collaborated with fellow American Idol Taylor Hicks on Hicks' second album, The
Distance, released on March 10, 2009. They recorded a duet of a cover of Bobby
Womack's "Woman's Gotta Have It".[56]
Advocacy
As a diabetic, Yamin supports and
works as a spokesman for various organizations, including the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation (JDRF). In October 2006, Yamin sang the national anthem at
the Dodger Stadium (LA) and cut the ribbon during the JDRF International Walk to
Cure Diabetes. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from his Virginia State
Fair concert benefitted the JDRF.[57] The Central Virginia Chapter of the JDRF
honored Yamin for his commitment to diabetes awareness and research at its 8th
Annual Spring Gala on March 1, 2008; more than $400,000 was raised at the
event.[58] He returned for the 9th Annual Spring Gala on April 4, 2009.[59]
In August 2007, Yamin visited
Capitol Hill as International Celebrity Advocate Co-chair of the Promise to
Remember Me Campaign to petition Representatives for their support to extend the
Special Diabetes Program, which provides federal funding for type 1 diabetes
research.[60]
In October 2007, Yamin was named
Global Ambassador to promote the Inspired by Diabetes Creative Expression
Competition, a global contest in which people with diabetes, as well as their
friends and families, can share through art, music, or essay how the disease has
impacted their lives.[61]
During his fall 2007 concert tour,
Yamin announced that 100% of proceeds from the sale of designated T-shirts and
pins would benefit the Life for a Child Program, which provides insulin, as well
as diabetes-related care and supplies, for children in developing countries.[62]
On World Diabetes Day, November 14,
2007, Yamin was joined by children with diabetes for a performance of the song
"Promise to Remember Me" in the United Nation's Rose Garden.[63] Following the
World Diabetes Day ceremonies, Yamin taped a segment of the Montel Williams Show
during which he shared his experiences learning to live with the disease and
performed "Wait for You." The 30-minute segment was aired on November 29,
2007.[64]
During October 2009, Yamin was a
guest speaker at the World Diabetes Congress in Montreal, Canada, speaking at an
open forum on "Living with diabetes and its complications: perspective of
someone with diabetes".[65]
On November 3, 2010, Yamin appeared
on Don't Forget the Lyrics, contesting for two charities: JDRF and Malaria No
More. He won $5,000 for them.
On November 5, 2010, Yamin was a
guest performer at the 40th Anniversary of Africare.[66]
****
Notes
A ^For the issue date of April 7,
2007, Billboard reported that first week sales placed the album at number three
on the Billboard 200.[71] Selling close to 100,000 copies in its first week is
the greatest accomplishment for an indie release thus far, making him the
highest new artist debut on an independent label in SoundScan history. The album
also debuted at number one on the Independent Albums chart[72] and at number
eleven on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[73]
B ^Yamin's cover of Donny
Hathaway's song "This Christmas" was originally released as a single online to
AOL Music and iTunes on December 6, 2006. The rendition was later included on
Sounds of the Season: The Elliott Yamin Holiday Collection, released in October
2007. Although the song was first released in 2006, it achieved its peak
Billboard chart position in January 2008.[74]
C ^"Wait for You" was the first
official single released from Yamin's self-titled debut. It premiered on radio
on March 1, 2007, and was released to iTunes on March 13, 2007. The song was
added to Z100 NYC's (the most listened radio station in the U.S.) Top 40 list in
late May 2007, making Yamin one of the few independent artists to be played on
that radio station.
D ^"Wait For You" has been included
in the Now That's What I Call Music! 25 collection, the Radio Disney Jams, Vol.
10 compilation, and the Kidz Bop 13 album. The Jason Nevins GTR Mix of the song
has been included on Ultra.2008, a collection of dance club remixes. An
instrumental version of the song has also been included in the Strung Out Vol.
2: The String Quartet Tribute to Modern Rock Hits album.
E ^On August 16, 2007, Yamin
announced his second radio single, "One Word", on Fox 5 News in Washington,
DC.[75] It was released to radio on October 16, 2007.[76]
F ^"Moody's Mood for Love" was not
released as a standard single in the U.S.; no songs from the American Idol
Season 5: Encores CD were made available as singles for radio airplay. The chart
position was attained strictly from sales of the individual track from various
Internet music download sites.
G ^"Movin' On" was not released as
a single, but rather as a pre-album track made available to U.S. online music
retailers on February 13, 2007.
Music videos
Date Song Director Notes References
2007 "Wait for You" Nick Spanos The
video debuted on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown on June 16, 2007, at number 1
and spent 17 weeks on the countdown, 8 of those in the top spot. It was number
19 in VH1's Top 40 Videos of 2007 countdown. [77][78][79]
"One Word" Shaun Peterson The video
debuted on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown on December 8, 2007, at number 20.
[80][81]
2009 "Fight for Love" Nick Spanos
The video debuted on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown on May 23, 2009, at number
17. [82][83]
"You Say" Nick Spanos The video was
released in Japan only.
References
1.^ Full name/birth place
information compiled from State of California. California Birth Index,
1905-1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health
Services, Sacramento, California. At Ancestry.com
2.^ Elliot Yamin biography,
information, news, links, pictures (pics) and products (music: American Idol)
3.^ "Claudette Yamin, mother of
singer Elliott, dies at 65". Richmond Times Dispatch, Apr 01, 2008. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment/music.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-04-01-0168.html.
4.^ "Richmond remembers Elliott
Yamin's No. 1 fan". Richmond Times Dispatch, Cynthia McMullen, Apr 2, 2008.
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-04-02-0136.html.
5.^ "Former 'American Idol'
finalist Elliott Yamin's mother Claudette dies". RealtyTVworld.com, Christopher
Rocchio, 04/01/2008.
http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/former-american-idol-finalist-elliott-yamin-mother-claudette-dies-6833.php.
6.^ Morehouse, Macon (2006-08-01).
"Idol's Elliott Yamin Meets Fan with Leukemia". People.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1221981,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09.
7.^ Kaplan-Mayer, Gabrielle
(2006-12-01). "Elliott Yamin". DiabetesHealth.
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2006/12/01/4930.html. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
8.^ "‘Idol’ Yamin’s mom surprised
by his talent". MSNBC.com, AP, Michael Felberbaum, May. 9, 2006.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12707801/.
9.^ Billboard.com - Biography -
Elliott Yamin
10.^ Slezak, Michael. "'American
Idol': The 16 Best Performances Ever". Entertainment Weekly (EW.com).
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20171835_20189900_14,00.html. Retrieved
2008-12-26.
11.^ Roop, Jason (2006-05-17).
"Elliott's Return". Style Weekly. Archived from the original on 2008-05-08.
http://web.archive.org/web/20080508053713/http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=12340.
Retrieved 2008-01-20.
12.^ Dehnart, Andy (2006-05-23).
"Lack of ‘Idol’ vote information frustrates fans". MSNBC.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12819946/. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
13.^ Ruggieri, Melissa
(2006-06-13). "Star Status Thwarts Elliott's Quick Visit". Greater Richmond
Partnership Inc. (originally published in the Richmond Times Dispatch).
http://intranet.grpva.com/intranet/WEB2002/Archive_post.asp?story=207. Retrieved
2008-04-25.
14.^ James, Sara (2006-12-09).
"2006 Genworth Children's Advantage Classic with Agassi, Graf, Blake and
Davenport". Richmond Tennis Association.
http://www.richmondtennis.org/genworthclassic2006.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
[dead link]
15.^ Ruggieri, Melissa
(2006-06-22). "Special guest with Big Planz".
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD/MGArticle/RTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149188651173.
Retrieved 2006-10-21.
16.^ Kennedy, Shirley (2006-12-04).
"Will Elliott Yamin Deal Leave Him as a Forgotten American Idol?". The National
Ledger.
http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=7&num=10252.
Retrieved 2007-12-22.
17.^ a b Ruggieri, Melissa
(2007-03-11). "Elliott's Life in LA". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855936372&c=MGArticle&cid=1149193579297&path=!flair!ae.
18.^ "Red Distribution Company
Profile". Yahoo Finance. http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/113/113230.html. Retrieved
2007-12-29.
19.^ Elliott Yamin
20.^ a b c d RIAA - Gold & Platinum
21.^ Zwicker, Portia (2007-03-23).
"The E-Train's Quick Richmond Stop". Richmond Magazine: The Blog Squad.
http://richmondmagazine.blogspot.com/2007/03/e-trains-quick-richmond-stop.html.
Retrieved 2008-04-22.
22.^ "Sony RED: The Color of
Success". FMQB. 2007-08-10. http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=454758. Retrieved
2007-12-24.
23.^ Aguila, Kap Maceda
(2007-09-26). "A dose of Yamin-spiration". Philippine Star.
http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2007092565&type=2. Retrieved
2008-02-23. [dead link]
24.^ "Billboard Music Charts".
billboard.com. 2007-12-31.
http://billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=elliott+yamin&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=40.
Retrieved 2007-12-29. [dead link]
25.^ Billboard Charts Decade End
Albums - Independent Albums - Issue Date: 2009
26.^ "Billboard Music Charts".
billboard.com. 2007-12-31.
http://billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/searchResult.jsp?exp=y&Ntt=elliott+yamin&Ntk=Keyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&nor=10&an=bbcom&N=41.
Retrieved 2007-12-29. [dead link]
27.^ "25th Annual ASCAP Pop Awards
Most Performed Songs". ASCAP.
http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/popawards/2008/performed.aspx.
Retrieved 2008-04-14.
28.^ "ASCAP Celebrates 25 Years Of
Honoring Pop Music's Top Music Creators" (Press release). ASCAP. 2008-04-09.
http://www.ascap.com/press/2008/0410_popawards.aspx. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
29.^ Mraz, Steve (2008-02-22).
"Standing-room-only Ramstein crowd sings along with ‘American Idol’ graduate
Yamin". Stars and Stripes.
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60120&archive=true.
Retrieved 2008-02-23.
30.^ a b "NEWS: Elliott Yamin
Official Website (Japan)". http://yamin.jp/info.html. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
31.^ RIAJ Certified and Gold
Certified Works September 2008 (translated)
32.^ RIAJ - Japan Gold Disc Award
2009
33.^ Elliott Yamin - PIXNET
34.^ a b Elliott Yamin Vows to
Fight for Love - Popeater
35.^ "AOL Listeners Declare Thumbs
Up for Elliott Yamin's Single "Fight For Love" (Press release). Shore Fire
Media. 2009-03-03. http://www.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=2771.
Retrieved 2009-03-09.
36.^ FMQB Available for Airplay
37.^ Elliott Yamin has lots to
choose from for new album - USA Today - 1/19/2009
38.^ a b Former 'Idol' finalist
Elliott Yamin finding his own way in sophomore effort - Baltimore Sun - May 21,
2009
39.^ Elliott Yamin Fights For Love;
Parties in the Back - The Huffington Post - May 18, 2009
40.^ a b "Discography: Elliott
Yamin Official Website (Japan)". http://yamin.jp/disc.html. Retrieved
2009-10-16.
41.^ 07.28.09 New Single - Can't
Keep Loving You - Official Elliott Yamin Website
42.^ Elliott Yamin Takes to Stage
to Entertain Troops in Guam and Japan on Second USO Tour - USO Press Release -
September 30, 2009
43.^ RIFFS: Elliott Yamin returning
home with love - Washington Times – January 1, 2010
44.^ 2010 Tour Dates - UPDATED!!! -
12.31.09 - Official Elliott Yamin website
45.^ 01.23.10 California Tour Dates
- Cancelled - Official Elliott Yamin website
46.^ Kara DioGuardi and Elliott
Yamin head to Angola for 'Idol Gives Back’ - Los Angeles Times Idol Tracker -
January 28, 2010
47.^ ExxonMobil & American Idol
Elliott Yamin Support Malaria Prevention at Angola Orphanage and School – Yahoo!
Finance (Canada) – October 2, 2009
48.^ Las 'Canciones con Historia'
que competirán en Viña 2010 (Spanish) - December 18, 2009
49.^ Elliott Yamin in Chile When
Earthquake Struck - USA Today Idol Chatter - February 27, 2010
50.^ American Idol Buzz, May 24,
2011: Catching up with Elliott Yamin who is literally big in Japan
51.^ Ruggieri, Melissa
(2008-08-26). "Elliott Yamin Under the Tree". inRich.com.
http://www.mytimesdispatch.com/index.php/popculture/elliott_yamin_under_the_tree/.
Retrieved 2008-08-29.
52.^ Idol Chatter 10-01-2008
53.^ Hasty, Katie (2008-01-14).
"Mariah, Paula, Idols Join Jackson's "Club"". Billboard.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003696328.
Retrieved 2008-01-20.
54.^ [1] FMQB. Accessed May 4, 2008
55.^ [2]
56.^
http://soulthing.blogspot.com/2009/01/elliott-yamin-sings-backup-on-taylor.html
57.^ "‘American Idol’ Star Elliott
Yamin Gives Himself Away For Diabetes Benefit". Wireless Flash. 2006-10-04.
http://www.flashnews.com/news/wfn6061004J5656.html. Retrieved 2008-02-15.
58.^ Grossman, Marcia Polier
(2008-03-09). "'Lights, Camera, Take Action'". Richmond Times Dispatch.
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment/arts.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-03-09-0065.html.
Retrieved 2008-03-09. [dead link]
59.^ Grossman, Marsha Polier
(2009-04-12). "Gala benefits Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation". Richmond
Times Dispatch.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/lifestyles/local_other/article/S-HAPS12_20090408-184652/252099/.
Retrieved 2009-04-12. [dead link]
60.^ Elliott Yamin: My August 1
Experience | Promise to Remember Me - JDRF
61.^ "'American Idol' Finalist and
Hickory Records Artist Elliott Yamin to Serve as a Global Ambassador for
Inspired by Diabetes Campaign to Help Children with Diabetes". Bio-Medicine.
2007-10-11.
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/American-Idol-Finalist-and-Hickory-Records-Artist-Elliott-Yamin-to-Serve-as-a-Global-Ambassador-for-Inspired-by-Diabetes-Campaign-to-Help-Children-wit-3497-1/.
Retrieved 2007-12-22.
62.^ McKee, Jaime (2007-11-02).
"Beyond 'Idol:' Before Asheville show, Yamin talks about writing songs, odd job
and charity groups". Asheville Citizen-Times.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102/ENT02/71101080/.
Retrieved 2007-12-29. [dead link]
63.^ "Diabetes Communities Unite to
Celebrate World Diabetes Day November" (Press release). International Diabetes
Federation. 2007-11-05. http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/media/pages/122.
Retrieved 2007-12-23.
64.^ Montel Williams - Today's Show
65.^ Elliott Yamin on music and
diabetes in Montreal - Montreal Gazette - October 19, 2009
66.^
http://allafrica.com/stories/201010291117.html Africare Celebrates 40 Years Of
Development Assistance To Africa
67.^ a b Idol Chatter 03-04-2010
68.^ Idol Chatter 1-16-2008
69.^ Idol Chatter 03-12-2009
70.^ Japan Hot 100 Singles - You
Say
71.^ The Billboard 200
72.^ Independent Albums
73.^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
74.^ Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
75.^ MyFox Washington DC | Elliott
Yamin on Fox 5 Morning News
76.^ [3] FMQB. Accessed September
24, 2007
77.^ "Elliott Yamin - "Wait for
You"- Music Video - MTV". 2007-03-21. http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=139975.
Retrieved 2008-04-13.
78.^ "VSPOT Top 20: June 16, 2007".
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1562591&vid=139975. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
79.^ "VH1 Top 40 Videos: 2007".
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1575703&vid=139975. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
80.^ "Elliott Yamin - "One Word" -
Music Video - MTV". 2007-11-30. http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=192251.
Retrieved 2008-04-13.
81.^ "VH1 Top 20: December 8,
2007". http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1575914&vid=192251. Retrieved
2008-04-17.
82.^ "Elliott Yamin - "Fight for
Love" - Music Video - MTV". http://www.mtv.com/videos/elliott-yamin/379200/fight-for-love.jhtml#artist=2374415.
Retrieved 2009-05-23.
83.^ "VH1 Top 20: May 23, 2009".
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1611979&vid=374518. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
* * * *
The
above biography has been copied in part or in whole
from an article on
Wikipedia.org
"The Free Encyclopedia." It has been modified under
the GNU Free Document License Section 5 in the
following manner: (1) All links within the article
have been removed, including text links such as
"[#]"; (2) The "[Edit]" text and link have been
removed [if you would like to update the article,
you may do so from the original page]; (3) the table
of Contents links and text have been removed; and
(4) all of the sections of the original article have
not been copied. All of the above text is available
under the terms of the
GNU Free Document License.
URL of Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elliot_Yamin
Date Article Copied:
January 2012
We
will try to replace this article with an original
biography in the near future, but we hope this will
be of help to our visitors in the mean time. |