Conventional long name	Solomon Islands
Common name	the Solomon Islands
Image coat	Coat_of_arms_of_Solomon_Islands.jpg
National motto	"To Lead is to Serve"
National anthem	''God Save Our Solomon Islands''
Capital	Honiara
Official languages	English
Largest city	capital
Government type	Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system
Leader title1	Monarch
Leader name1	Elizabeth II
Leader title2	Governor General
Leader name2	Frank Kabui
Leader title3	Prime Minister
Leader name3	Danny Philip
Sovereignty type	Independence
Established event1	from the United Kingdom
Established date1	7 July 1978
Area rank	142nd
Area magnitude	1 E10
Area km2	28,400
Area sq mi	10,965
Percent water	3.2%
Population estimate	523,000
Population estimate rank	170th
Population estimate year	2009
Population density km2	18.1
Population density sq mi	46.9
Population density rank	189th
Gdp ppp	$1.514 billion
Gdp ppp year	2009
Gdp ppp per capita	$2,818
Gdp nominal	$657 million
Gdp nominal year	2009
Gdp nominal per capita	$1,223
Hdi	0.610
Hdi rank	135th
Hdi year	2007
Hdi category	medium
Fsi	92.0
Fsi year	2007
Fsi rank	30th
Fsi category	Alert
Demonym	Solomon Islander
Currency	Solomon Islands dollar
Currency code	SBD
Utc offset	+11
Drives on	left
Cctld	.sb
Calling code	+677 }}

Solomon Islands () is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of 28,400 square kilometres (10,965 square miles). The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal. The nation of the Solomon Islands is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Solomon Islands are believed to have been inhabited by Melanesian people for many thousands of years. Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña was the first European to arrive in Solomon islands in 1568 and named them ''Islas Salomon''. The United Kingdom established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in 1893. In the Second World War there was fierce fighting between the Americans and the Japanese in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1942–45, including the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of the Solomon Islands, at present Elizabeth II, as the head of state. Danny Philip is the tenth and current Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. He was elected on August 2010.

Name

The country's official name, as established in the ''Constitution of Solomon Islands'' and as used by government as well as by the country's press, is "Solomon Islands", with no definite article. Its name is thus reflected in international organisations such as Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. In other English-speaking countries, however, the definite article is often added.

History

It is believed that Papuan speaking settlers began to arrive around 30,000 BC. Austronesian speakers arrived c. 4000 BC also bringing cultural elements such as the outrigger canoe. It is between 1200 and 800 BC that the ancestors of the Polynesians, the Lapita people, arrived from the Bismarck Archipelago with their characteristic ceramics.

The first European to visit the islands was the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, coming from Peru in 1568. The people of Solomon Islands were notorious for headhunting and cannibalism before the arrival of the Europeans.

Missionaries began visiting the Solomons in the mid-19th century. They made little progress at first, because "blackbirding" (the often brutal recruitment of labourers for the sugar plantations in Queensland and Fiji) led to a series of reprisals and massacres. The evils of the labour trade prompted the United Kingdom to declare a protectorate over the southern Solomons in June 1893. This was the basis of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

In 1898 and 1899, more outlying islands were added to the protectorate; in 1900 the remainder of the archipelago, an area previously under German jurisdiction, was transferred to British administration apart from the islands of Buka and Bougainville, which remained under German administration as part of German New Guinea. Traditional trade and social intercourse between the western Solomon Islands of Mono and Alu (the Shortlands) and the traditional societies in the south of Bougainville, however, continued without hindrance.

Under the protectorate, missionaries settled in the Solomons, converting most of the population to Christianity. In the early 20th century, several British and Australian firms began large-scale coconut planting. Economic growth was slow, however, and the islanders benefited little.

Second World War

With the outbreak of the Second World War, most planters and traders were evacuated to Australia, and most cultivation ceased. Some of the most intense fighting of the war occurred in the Solomons. The most significant of the Allied Forces' operations against the Japanese Imperial Forces was launched on August 7, 1942, with simultaneous naval bombardments and amphibious landings on the Florida Islands at Tulagi and Red Beach on Guadalcanal.

The Battle of Guadalcanal became an important and bloody campaign fought in the Pacific War as the Allies began to repulse Japanese expansion. Of strategic importance during the war were the coastwatchers operating in remote locations, often on Japanese held islands, providing early warning and intelligence of Japanese naval, army and aircraft movements during the campaign.

Sergeant-Major Jacob Vouza was a notable coastwatcher who after capture refused to divulge Allied information in spite of interrogation and torture by Japanese Imperial forces. He was awarded a Silver Star by the Americans. Islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana would be noted by National Geographic for being the first to find the shipwrecked John F. Kennedy and his crew of the PT-109. They suggested using a coconut to write a rescue message for delivery by dugout canoe, which was later kept on his desk when he became the president of the United States.

The Solomon Islands was one of the major staging areas of the South Pacific and was home to the famous VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron commanded by Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington. The Slot was a name for New Georgia Sound, when it was used by the Tokyo Express to supply the Japanese garrison on Guadalcanal. Of more than 36,000 Japanese on Guadalcanal, about 26,000 were killed or missing, 9,000 died of disease, and 1,000 were captured.

Independence

Local councils were established in the 1950s as the islands stabilised from the aftermath of the Second World War. A new constitution was established in 1970 and elections were held, although the constitution was contested and a new one was created in 1974. In 1973 the first oil price shock occurred, the increased cost of running a colony became apparent to British administrators.

Following the independence of neighbouring Papua New Guinea from Australia in 1975, the Solomon Islands gained self government in 1976. Independence was granted on 7 July 1978. The first Prime Minister was Sir Peter Kenilorea, and the Solomon Islands retained the Monarchy.

Civil War

Commonly referred to as ''the tensions'' or ''the ethnic tension'', the initial civil unrest was mainly characterised by fighting between the Isatabu Freedom Movement (also known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army) and the Malaita Eagle Force (as well as the Marau Eagle Force). (Although much of the conflict was between Guales and Malaitans, Kabutaulaka (2001) and Dinnen (2002) argue that the 'ethnic conflict' label is an oversimplification.

In late 1998, militants on the island of Guadalcanal commenced and had a campaign of intimidation and violence towards Malaitan settlers. During the next year, thousands of Malaitans fled back to Malaita or to the capital, Honiara (which, although situated on Guadalcanal, is predominantly populated by Malaitans and Solomon Islanders from other provinces). In 1999, the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) was established in response.

The reformist government of Bartholomew Ulufa'alu struggled to respond to the complexities of this evolving conflict. In late 1999, the government declared a four month state of emergency. There were also a number of attempts at reconciliation ceremonies but to no avail. He also requested assistance from Australia and New Zealand in 1999 but this was rejected.

In June 2000, Ulufa'alu was kidnapped by militia members of the MEF who felt that although he was a Malaitan, he was not doing enough to protect their interests. Ulufa'alu subsequently resigned in exchange for his release. Manasseh Sogavare, who had earlier been Finance Minister in Ulufa'alu's government but had subsequently joined the opposition, was elected as Prime Minister by 23–21 over Rev. Leslie Boseto. However Sogavare's election was immediately shrouded in controversy because six MPs (thought to be supporters of Boseto) were unable to attend parliament for the crucial vote (Moore 2004, n.5 on p. 174).

In October 2000, the Townsville Peace Agreement, was signed by the Malaita Eagle Force, elements of the IFM and the Solomon Islands Government. This was closely followed by the Marau Peace agreement in February 2001, signed by the Marau Eagle Force, the Isatabu Freedom Movement, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the Solomon Islands Government. However, a key Guale militant leader, Harold Keke, refused to sign the Agreement, causing a split with the Guale groups. Subsequently, Guale signatories to the Agreement led by Andrew Te'e joined with the Malaitan-dominated police to form the 'Joint Operations Force'. During the next two years the conflict moved to the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal as the Joint Operations unsuccessfully attempted to capture Keke and his group.

New elections in December 2001 brought Sir Allan Kemakeza into the Prime Minister's chair with the support of his People's Alliance Party and also the Association of Independent Members. Law and order deteriorated as the nature of the conflict shifted: there was continuing violence on the Weathercoast while militants in Honiara increasingly turned their attention to crime and extortion. The Department of Finance would often be surrounded by armed men when funding was due to arrive. In December 2002, Finance Minister Laurie Chan resigned after being forced at gunpoint to sign a cheque made out to some of the militants. Conflict also broke out in Western Province between locals and Malaitan settlers. Renegade members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) were invited in as a protection force but ended up causing as much trouble as they prevented.

The prevailing atmosphere of lawlessness, widespread extortion and ineffective police prompted a formal request by the Solomon Islands Government for outside help. With the country bankrupt and the capital in chaos, the request was unanimously supported in Parliament.

In July 2003, Australian and Pacific Island police and troops arrived in the Solomon Islands under the auspices of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). A sizable international security contingent of 2,200 police and troops, led by Australia and New Zealand, and with representatives from about 20 other Pacific nations began arriving the next month under Operation Helpem Fren. Since this time some commentators have considered the country a failed state. However, other academics argue that rather than being a 'failed state', it is an unformed state: a state that never consolidated after decades since independence.

In April 2006, allegations that the newly elected Prime Minister Snyder Rini had used bribes from Chinese businessmen to buy the votes of members of Parliament led to mass rioting in the capital Honiara. A deep underlying resentment against the minority Chinese business community led to much of Chinatown in the city being destroyed. Tensions had also been increased by the belief that large sums of money were being exported to China. China sent chartered aircraft to evacuate hundreds of Chinese who fled to avoid the riots. Evacuation of Australian and British citizens was on a much smaller scale. Further Australian, New Zealand and Fijian police and troops were dispatched to try to quell the unrest. Rini eventually resigned before facing a motion of no-confidence in Parliament, and Parliament elected Manasseh Sogavare as Prime Minister.

2007 earthquake and tsunami

On 2 April 2007, the Solomon Islands were struck by a major earthquake followed by a large tsunami. Initial reports indicated that the tsunami, which mainly affected the small island of Gizo, was several metres high (perhaps as high as 10 metres (33 ft) according to some reports, 5 metres (16 1/3 ft) according to the Foreign Office). The tsunami was triggered by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake, with a hypocenter 217 miles (349 km) northwest of the island's capital, Honiara, at Lat −8.453 Long 156.957 and at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

According to the United States Geologic Survey the earthquake struck at 20:39:56 UTC on Sunday, 1 April 2007. Since the initial event and up until 22:00:00 UTC on Wednesday, 4 April 2007, more than 44 aftershocks of a magnitude of 5.0 or greater were recorded in the region.

The death toll from the resulting tsunami was at least 52 people, and the tsunami destroyed more than 900 homes and has left thousands of people homeless.

Land thrust from the quake has extended out from the shoreline of one island, Ranongga, by up to 70 meters (230 ft) according to local residents. This has left many once pristine coral reefs exposed on the newly formed beaches.

Politics

The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy and has a parliamentary system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is the Monarch of the Solomon Islands and the head of state; she is represented by the Governor-General who is chosen by the Parliament for a five-year term. There is a unicameral parliament of 50 members, elected for four-year terms. However, Parliament may be dissolved by majority vote of its members before the completion of its term.

Parliamentary representation is based on single-member constituencies. Suffrage is universal for citizens over age 21. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is elected by Parliament and chooses the other members of the cabinet. Each ministry is headed by a cabinet member, who is assisted by a permanent secretary, a career public servant, who directs the staff of the ministry.

Solomon Islands governments are characterized by weak political parties (see List of political parties in Solomon Islands) and highly unstable parliamentary coalitions. They are subject to frequent votes of no confidence, and government leadership changes frequently as a result. Cabinet changes are common.

Land ownership is reserved for Solomon Islanders. The law provides that resident expatriates, such as the Chinese and Kiribati, may obtain citizenship through naturalization. Land generally is still held on a family or village basis and may be handed down from mother or father according to local custom. The islanders are reluctant to provide land for nontraditional economic undertakings, and this has resulted in continual disputes over land ownership.

No military forces are maintained by the Solomon Islands, although a police force of nearly 500 includes a border protection unit. The police also are responsible for fire service, disaster relief, and maritime surveillance. The police force is headed by a commissioner, appointed by the governor-general and responsible to the prime minister. On 27 December 2006, the Solomon Islands Government said it had taken steps to prevent the country's Australian police chief from returning to the Pacific nation. On 12 January 2007, Australia replaced its top diplomat expelled from the Solomon Islands for political interference in a conciliatory move aimed at easing a four-month dispute between the two countries.

On 13 December 2007, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was toppled by a vote of no confidence in Parliament, following the defection of five Ministers to the Opposition. It was the first time a Prime Minister lost office in this way in the Solomon Islands. On 20 December, Parliament elected the Opposition's candidate (and former Minister for Education) Derek Sikua as Prime Minister, with 32 votes to 15.

Provinces

For local government, the country is divided into 10 administrative areas, of which nine are provinces administered by elected provincial assemblies, and the 10th is the town of Honiara, administered by the Honiara Town Council. # Central # Choiseul # Guadalcanal # Isabel # Makira-Ulawa # Malaita # Rennell and Bellona # Temotu # Western # Honiara City

Foreign relations

Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth, South Pacific Commission, South Pacific Forum, International Monetary Fund, and the European Union/African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries (EEC/ACP) (Lomé Convention).

The political stage of the Solomon Islands is further influenced by its diplomatic importance to the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China. The Solomon Islands gives diplomatic recognition to the ROC, recognizing it as the sole-legitimate government of all of China, giving Taiwan vital votes in the United Nations. Lucrative investments, political funding and preferential loans from both the ROC and PRC are increasingly manipulating the political landscape of the Solomon Islands.

Relations with Papua New Guinea, which had become strained because of an influx of refugees from the Bougainville rebellion and attacks on the northern islands of the Solomon Islands by elements pursuing Bougainvillean rebels, have been repaired. A peace accord on Bougainville confirmed in 1998 has removed the armed threat, and the two nations regularized border operations in a 2004 agreement.

Military

Although the locally recruited British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force was part of Allied forces taking part in fighting in the Solomons during the Second World War, the country has not had any regular military forces since independence. The various paramilitary elements of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) were disbanded in 2003 following the intervention of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), and the RSIPF was disarmed. RAMSI has a small military detachment headed by an Australian commander with responsibilities for assisting the police element of RAMSI in internal and external security. The RSIPF still operates two Pacific class patrol boats (RSIPV ''Auki'' and RSIPV ''Lata''), which constitute the de facto navy of the Solomon Islands.

In the long-term it is anticipated that the RSIPF will resume the defense role. The police force is headed by a commissioner, appointed by the governor general and responsible to the Minister of Police, National Security & Correctional Services.

The police budget of the Solomon Islands has been strained due to a four-year civil war. Following Cyclone Zoe's strike on the islands of Tikopia and Anuta in December 2002, Australia had to provide the Solomon Islands government with 200,000 Solomon dollars ($50,000 Australian) for fuel and supplies for the patrol boat ''Lata'' to sail with relief supplies. (Part of the work of RAMSI includes assisting the Solomon Islands Government to stabilise its budget.)

Equipment:

Pandur 6×6 APC

Toyota Land Cruiser SUV

Toyota 4Runner pickup

20 rigid hull inflatable boats – donated by Australian Federal Police 3 20 rigid hull patrol boats – donated by Australian Federal Police

modified Yamaha Motor Company WZ250 off road motorcycles

Geography

The Solomon Islands is an island nation that lies east of Papua New Guinea and consists of many islands: Choiseul, the Shortland Islands; the New Georgia Islands; Santa Isabel; the Russell Islands; Nggela (the Florida Islands); Malaita; Guadalcanal; Sikaiana; Maramasike; Ulawa; Uki; Makira (San Cristobal); Santa Ana; Rennell and Bellona; the Santa Cruz Islands and three remote, tiny outliers, Tikopia, Anuta, and Fatutaka.

The country's islands lie between latitudes 5° and 13°S, and longitudes 155° and 169°E. The distance between the westernmost and easternmost islands is about 1,500 kilometres (930 mi). The Santa Cruz Islands (of which Tikopia is part), are situated north of Vanuatu and are especially isolated at more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the other islands. Bougainville is geographically part of the Solomon Islands, but politically Papua New Guinea.

The islands' ocean-equatorial climate is extremely humid throughout the year, with a mean temperature of 27 °C (80 °F) and few extremes of temperature or weather. June through August is the cooler period. Though seasons are not pronounced, the northwesterly winds of November through April bring more frequent rainfall and occasional squalls or cyclones. The annual rainfall is about 3050 mm (120 in).

The Solomon Islands archipelago is part of two distinct terrestrial ecoregions. Most of the islands are part of the Solomon Islands rain forests ecoregion, which also includes the islands of Bougainville and Buka, which are part of Papua New Guinea, these forests have come under pressure from forestry activities. The Santa Cruz Islands are part of the Vanuatu rain forests ecoregion, together with the neighboring archipelago of Vanuatu. Soil quality ranges from extremely rich volcanic (there are volcanoes with varying degrees of activity on some of the larger islands) to relatively infertile limestone. More than 230 varieties of orchids and other tropical flowers brighten the landscape.

The islands contain several active and dormant volcanoes. The Tinakula and Kavachi volcanoes are the most active.

Economy

Its per capita GDP of $600 ranks Solomon Islands as a lesser developed nation, and more than 75% of its labor force is engaged in subsistence and fishing. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. Until 1998, when world prices for tropical timber fell steeply, timber was Solomon Islands' main export product, and, in recent years, Solomon Islands forests were dangerously overexploited. Other important cash crops and exports include copra and palm oil. In 1998 Ross Mining of Australia began producing gold at Gold Ridge on Guadalcanal. Minerals exploration in other areas continued. However in the wake of the ethnic violence in June 2000, exports of palm oil and gold ceased while exports of timber fell. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold.

Solomon Islands' fisheries also offer prospects for export and domestic economic expansion. However, a Japanese joint venture, Solomon Taiyo Ltd., which operated the only fish cannery in the country, closed in mid-2000 as a result of the ethnic disturbances. Though the plant has reopened under local management, the export of tuna has not resumed. Negotiations are underway that may lead to the eventual reopening of the Gold Ridge mine and the major oil-palm plantation.

Tourism, particularly diving, is an important service industry for Solomon Islands. Growth in that industry is hampered, however, by lack of infrastructure and transportation limitations.

The Solomon Islands Government was insolvent by 2002. Since the RAMSI intervention in 2003, the government has recast its budget. It has consolidated and renegotiated its domestic debt and with Australian backing, is now seeking to renegotiate its foreign obligations. Principal aid donors are Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of China.

Recently, the Solomons courts have re-approved the export of live dolphins for profit, most recently to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This practice was originally stopped by the government in 2004 after international uproar over a shipment of 28 live dolphins to Mexico. The move has resulted in criticism from both Australia and New Zealand as well as several conservation organisations.

Energy

A team of renewable energy developers working for the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) and funded by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), have hatched a scheme that enables these communities to access renewable energy, such as solar, without raising substantial sums of ready cash. They also use water and wind power. If the islanders were not able to pay for solar lanterns with cash, reasoned the project developers, they can pay with crops.

Demographics

As of 2006, the majority 552,438 people on the Solomon Islands are ethnically Melanesian (94.5%). Polynesian (3%) and Micronesian (1.2%) are the two other significant groups. There are a few thousand ethnic Chinese.

The number of local languages listed for Solomon Islands is 74, of which 70 are living languages and 4 are extinct, according to ''«Ethnologue, Languages of the World»''. On the central islands, Melanesian languages (predominantly of the Southeast Solomonic group) are spoken. On the outliers, Rennell and Bellona to the south, Tikopia, Anuta and Fatutaka to the far east, Sikaiana to the north east, and Luaniua to the north (Ontong Java Atoll, also known as Lord Howe Atoll), Polynesian languages are spoken. Immigrant populations of Gilbertese (i-Kiribati) and Tuvaluans speak Micronesian languages. While English is the official language, only 1–2% of the population speak English; the lingua franca is Solomons Pijin.

Health

Female life expectancy at birth was at 66.7 years and male life expectancy at birth at 64.9 in 2007. 1990–1995 fertility rate was at 5.5 births per woman. Government expenditure on health per capita was at US$ 99 (PPP). Healthy life expectancy at birth is at 60 years.

Religion

The religion of Solomon Islands is about 97% Christian with following denominations: the Anglican Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical Church 17%, Seventh-day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%. The remaining 2.9% practice indigenous religious beliefs. According to the most recent reports, Islam in the Solomon Islands is made up of approximately 350 Muslims, including members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Culture

In the traditional culture of the Solomon Islands, age-old customs are handed down from one generation to the next, allegedly from the ancestral spirits themselves, to form the cultural values of the Solomon Islands.

Radio is the most influential type of media in the Solomons Islands due to language differences, illiteracy, and the difficulty of receiving television signals in some parts of the country. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) operates public radio services, including the national stations ''Radio Happy Isles'' and ''Wantok FM'', and the provincial stations ''Radio Happy Lagoon'' and, formerly, ''Radio Temotu''. There is one commercial station, PAOA FM, that broadcasts in the Solomons.

There is one daily newspaper ''Solomon Star (www.solomonstarnews.com)'' and one daily online news website ''Solomon Times Online (www.solomontimes.com)'', 2 weekly papers ''Solomons Voice'' and ''Solomon Times'', and 2 monthly papers ''Agrikalsa Nius'' and the ''Citizen's Press''. There are no TV services based in the Solomon Islands, although satellite TV stations can be received. There is free-to-air access to ABC Asia Pacific (from Australia's ABC) and BBC World News.

Solomon Islands writers include the novelists Rexford Orotaloa and John Saunana and the poet Jully Makini.

Sport

Solomon Islands national teams in football and related sports (futsal and beach soccer) have proved among the most successful in Oceania.

The Solomon Islands national football team became the first team to beat New Zealand into qualifying for a play-off spot against Australia for qualification to the World Cup 2006. They were defeated 7–0 in Australia and 2–1 at home.

On 14 June 2008, the Solomon Islands national futsal team, the Kurukuru, won the Oceania Futsal Championship in Fiji to qualify them for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which was held in Brazil from 30 September to 19 October 2008. Solomon Islands is the futsal defending champions in the Oceania region. In 2008 and 2009 the Kurukuru won the Oceania Futsal Championship in Fiji. In 2009 they defeated the host nation Fiji, 8–0, to claim the title. The Kurukuru currently hold the world record for the fastest ever goal scored in an official futsal match. It was set by Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo, who scored against New Caledonia three seconds into the game in July 2009. They also, however, hold the less enviable record for the worst defeat in the history of the Futsal World Cup, when in 2008 they were beaten by Russia with two goals to thirty-one.

The Solomon Islands' beach soccer team, the Bilikiki Boys, are statistically the most successful team in Oceania. They have won all three regional championships to date, thereby qualifying on each occasion for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. The Bilikiki Boys are ranked fourteenth in the world as of 2010, higher than any other team from Oceania.

In January 2011, the Bilikiki Boys played the Kurukuru in a friendly beach soccer match. The Bilikiki won 4–1. Previously, the two teams had met for a friendly futsal match, which the Kurukuru had won 5–3.

The Solomon Islands national rugby union team has been playing internationals since 1969. It took part in the Oceania qualifying tournament for the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, but failed to qualify on each occasion.

Education

Education in the Solomon Islands is not compulsory and only 60 per cent of school-age children have access to primary education.

From 1990 to 1994, the gross primary school enrolment rose from 84.5 percent to 96.6 percent. Primary school attendance rates were unavailable for the Solomon Islands as of 2001. While enrolment rates indicate a level of commitment to education, they do not always reflect children's participation in school. Efforts and plans made by the Department of Education and Human Resource Development to expand educational facilities and increase enrolment have been hindered by a lack of government funding, misguided teacher training programs, poor coordination of programs, and a failure of the government to pay teachers. The percentage of the government's budget allocated to education was 9.7 percent in 1998, down from 13.2 percent in 1990.

Male educational attainment tends to be higher than female educational attainment. The University of the South Pacific has a Campus in Solomon Islands while the University of Papua New Guinea has also established a foothold in the country at Guadalcanal.

See also

Lau Lagoon

States headed by Elizabeth II

LGBT rights in the Solomon Islands

References

Alcohol and Drug Use in Honiara, Solomon Islands: A Cause for Concern

Hadden, Robert Lee. 2007. "The Geology of Guadalcanal: a Selected Bibliography of the Geology, Natural History, and the History of Guadalcanal. " Alexandria, Virginia: Topographic Engineering Center. 360 pages. Lists sources of information regarding the bodies of the US Marines of the Lt Col. Frank B. Goettge Reconnaissance patrol that was ambushed in August 1942.

''This article incorporates public domain text from the websites of the United States Department of State & CIA World Factbook.''

External links

; Government

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Department of Commerce, Industries and Employment

Chief of State and Cabinet Members

; General information

Solomon Islands from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''

; News media

The Solomon Star daily newspaper

Solomon Times Online online newspaper

; Travel

Welkam Solomons Local Travel Guide

Solomon Islands Travel Guide from Travellerspoint

Solomon Islands Travel Guide

; Other

History of Anglicanism in Oceania

Medals and awards of the Solomon Islands

Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)

The People First Network, PFnet from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development

Solomon Islands SchoolNet

Promoting Solomons magazine

Robert Viking O'Brien's retelling of a Solomon Islands folktale with the original in Pijin

Video: traditional music of Salomon Islands: Pan Pipers

Category:Oceanian countries Category:Volcanic arc islands Category:Archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean Category:Melanesia Category:Island countries Category:Divided regions Category:English-speaking countries and territories Category:Constitutional monarchies Category:Least developed countries Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations Category:States and territories established in 1978 Category:Member states of the United Nations

ace:Pulo-pulo Solomon af:Solomoneilande als:Salomonen ar:جزر سليمان an:Islas Salomón frp:Iles Salomon ast:Islles Salomón az:Solomon adaları bn:সলোমন দ্বীপপুঞ্জ zh-min-nan:Só͘-lô-bûn Kûn-tó be:Саламонавы Астравы be-x-old:Саламонавы астравы bcl:Islas Solomon bo:སོ་ལོ་མོན་གླིང་ཕྲན་ཚོ་ཁག bs:Solomonska Ostrva br:Inizi Solomon bg:Соломонови острови (държава) ca:Illes Salomó cv:Соломон Утравĕсем ceb:Kapupud-ang Solomon cs:Šalamounovy ostrovy cy:Ynysoedd Solomon da:Salomonøerne de:Salomonen dv:ސޮލޮމޮން ޖަޒީރާ nv:Sólomon Tó Bináhaazyínígíí et:Saalomoni Saared el:Νήσοι Σολομώντα es:Islas Salomón eo:Salomonoj ext:Islas Salomon eu:Salomon uharteak fa:جزایر سلیمان hif:Solomon Islands fo:Sálomonoyggjarnar fr:Salomon (pays) fy:Salomonseilannen ga:Oileáin Sholamón gv:Ny h-Ellanyn Holomon gl:Illas Salomón - Solomon Islands xal:Соломонин Арлс ko:솔로몬 제도 hi:सोलोमन द्वीपसमूह hr:Salomonski Otoci io:Salomon Insuli bpy:সলোমন দ্বীপমালা id:Kepulauan Solomon os:Соломоны сакъадæхтæ is:Salómonseyjar it:Isole Salomone he:איי שלמה jv:Kapuloan Solomon kn:ಸಾಲೊಮನ್ ದ್ವೀಪಗಳು pam:Solomon Islands ka:სოლომონის კუნძულები kk:Сүлеймен Аралдары kw:Ynysow Salamon rw:Ibirwa bya Solomoni sw:Visiwa vya Solomon ht:Salomon ku:Giravên Salomon la:Insulae Salomonis lv:Zālamana Salas lb:Salomonen lt:Saliamono Salos lij:Isoe Salomon lmo:Isul Salomon hu:Salamon-szigetek mk:Соломонски Острови ml:സോളമൻ ദ്വീപുകൾ mt:Gżejjer Solomon mr:सॉलोमन द्वीपसमूह arz:جزر سولومون ms:Kepulauan Solomon nah:Salomón Tlālhuāctli nl:Salomonseilanden ne:सोलोमन द्धीप ja:ソロモン諸島 pih:Solamon Ailen no:Salomonøyene nn:Salomonøyane oc:Illas Salamon uz:Solomon Orollari pnb:سولومن آئلینڈ pms:Ìsole Salomon tpi:Solomon Ailan nds:Salomonen pl:Wyspy Salomona pt:Ilhas Salomão crh:Solomon Adaları ksh:Salomone ro:Insulele Solomon qu:Salumun wat'akuna ru:Соломоновы Острова sah:Соломон арыылара se:Salomonsullot sm:Solomon Islands sa:सोलोमन-द्वीप sco:Solomon Islands sq:Ishujt Solomon scn:Ìsuli Salamuni si:සොලමන් දුපත් simple:Solomon Islands sk:Šalamúnove ostrovy (krajina) sl:Salomonovi otoki so:Jasiiradaha Solomon ckb:دوورگەکانی سلێمان sr:Соломонова Острва sh:Solomonski Otoci fi:Salomonsaaret sv:Salomonöarna tl:Kapuluang Solomon ta:சொலமன் தீவுகள் te:సోలమన్ దీవులు th:หมู่เกาะโซโลมอน tg:Ҷазираҳои Соломон tr:Solomon Adaları uk:Соломонові Острови ur:جزائر سلیمان ug:سولومون تاقىم ئاراللىرى vi:Quần đảo Solomon vo:Solomonuäns fiu-vro:Saalomoni saarõq war:Kapuropod-an Solomon wo:Duni Solomon yo:Àwọn Erékùsù Sólómọ́nì zh-yue:所羅門群島 diq:Adey Sılêmani bat-smg:Saliamuona Salas zh:所罗门群岛

name	Jason Derülo
birth name	Jason Joel Desrouleaux
background	solo_singer
birth date	September 21, 1989
origin	Miami, Florida, United States
genre	R&B;, pop, dance
occupation	Singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actor
years active	2007–present
label	Warner Bros.,Beluga Heights
associated acts	The Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, Birdman, Diddy-Dirty Money, Lil Wayne, Big Boi, Kid Cudi
website	}}

Jason Joel Desrouleaux (born , 1989), better known by his stage name Jason Derülo, is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. After producing records for several artists and writing songs for Cash Money Records, co-founder of the label Birdman, Young Money Entertainment owner Lil Wayne and rapper Diddy, Derülo signed to minor recording label Beluga Heights. After Beluga Heights became part of the Warner Music Group, Derülo released his debut single, "Whatcha Say" in May 2009. The song became a huge digital hit, selling over five million digital downloads, gaining an RIAA certification of double platinum, and reaching number 1 in the US and New Zealand. Derülo released his second single, "In My Head", in December 2009. His debut album, ''Jason Derülo'', was released in 2010.

Early life

Derülo was born in Miami, Florida, to Haitian parents. His birth name is Desrouleaux, but he changed the spelling for his stage name to make it easier to pronounce.

Derülo has been performing since the age of five. He wrote his first song, "Crush on You", at age eight and was heard singing part of the song on a Galaxy FM interview. Derülo spent his youth studying opera, theater, and ballet. He attended Dillard Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

At age 12, Derülo met his future manager, Frank Harris, a law school student who was helping him improve his basketball skills.

Music career

2007–2009: songwriting and musical beginnings

Derülo has been writing songs for artists including Diddy, Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, Sean Kingston, Cassie, Lil Wayne since he was 16, intent on becoming a solo performer. After attending performing arts schools and honing his talents as a singer and dancer (plus acting in theatre productions like ''Ragtime'' and ''Smokey Joe's Cafe''), Derülo won the grand prize on the 2006 season finale of the TV show ''Showtime at the Apollo''. Derülo was discovered by music producer J. R. Rotem, who signed him to his record label Beluga Heights Records and Warner Bros. Records.

In a HitQuarters interview, Rotem highlighted Derülo's dedication to his art by saying, "Jason Derülo has one of the most impressive work ethics I've ever come across – he just keeps knocking out songs in the studio. That's an amazing quality."

Derülo's music career began in 2006, when he was featured on Birdman's song "Bossy", which was featured on his album, ''5 * Stunna''.

2009–2010: ''Jason Derülo''

On August 4, 2009, Jason released his debut single, "Whatcha Say". It was produced by J. R. Rotem with additional production by Fuego. The track samples the Imogen Heap song "Hide and Seek". In late August 2009, the song debuted at number 54 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and hit number 1 in November 2009. The single's music video was released in September 2009; after the single became successful, Derülo began work on his debut album. He released the second single from his album, "In My Head", on , 2009. It debuted at number 63 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, and reached number five.

Derülo's debut album, ''Jason Derülo'', was released on , 2010. He spent six weeks promoting the album in his appearances as one of the opening acts for Lady Gaga's 2009–2010 ''The Monster Ball Tour''. The third single of the album is "Ridin' Solo," which was released worldwide on , 2010. By July, the single had reached number nine in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Derülo has also recently been featured in a song by new artist Will Roush called "Turn it Up," which also features Stat Quo and Young Buck. He also collaborated with UK singer Pixie Lott on a song called "Coming Home" which will be on Lott's new album Turn It Up Louder to be released in the United States in 2011.

''Jason Derülo'' first charted within the top ten of the UK and Irish Albums Charts in early March 2010.

2011-present: ''Future History''

Derülo's second studio album, ''Future History'', will be released on September 27, 2011. Derülo is currently detailing his journey recording the album via a series of webisodes that are posted on his official website every Friday. Its lead single, "Don't Wanna Go Home", was released on May 20, 2011. It landed the number 1 spot in the UK and in the top 5 in Australia.

Tours

2009–2010 The Monster Ball Tour (Opening Act)

2010 The E.N.D. World Tour (Opening Act for Canada dates)

2010–2011 Jason Derülo World Tour (Headlining)

Discography

''Jason Derülo'' (2010)

''Future History'' (2011)

Filmography

Television
Year	Show	Role	! Notes
2011		Himself	Guest Star, 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year	Organisation	Award	Result
	rowspan="3"	Choice Breakout Male Artist
rowspan="2"
rowspan="2"
	Most Popular International Artist
	NAACP Image Award
rowspan="2"
50 Most Performed Songs of the Year ("Replay")
	Choice Male Artist
Choice R&B;/Hip-Hop Track ("Don't Wanna Go Home")
Choice Summer: Music Star Male

References

External links

Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American rhythm and blues musicians Category:American male singers Category:American people of Haitian descent Category:American pop singers Category:People from Miami, Florida Category:Warner Bros. Records artists

ca:Jason Derülo cs:Jason Derülo da:Jason DeRulo de:Jason Derulo es:Jason Derülo fa:جیسون درولو fr:Jason Derülo id:Jason Derülo it:Jason Derülo he:ג'ייסון דירולו hu:Jason Derülo nl:Jason Derülo ja:ジェイソン・デルーロ no:Jason Derülo pl:Jason Derülo pt:Jason Derülo ro:Jason Derülo simple:Jason Derulo fi:Jason Derülo sv:Jason Derülo tl:Jason Derülo th:เจสัน เดอรูโล tr:Jason Derülo vi:Jason Derülo zh:杰森·德鲁罗

name	Toby Keith
background	solo_singer
birth name	Toby Keith Covel
birth date	July 08, 1961
origin	Clinton, Oklahoma, U.S.
instrument	Vocals, guitar
genre	Country
occupation	Singer-songwriter, record producer, actor
years active	1993–present
label	Mercury Records NashvillePolydorA&M;DreamWorks NashvilleShow Dog-Universal (formerly of Show Dog Nashville)
associated acts	Carter's Chord, Scotty Emerick, Lindsey Haun, Mac McAnally, Bobby Pinson, Trailer Choir, Stephen Cochran, Willie Nelson
website	TobyKeith.com }}

Toby Keith Covel (born July 8, 1961), best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's ''Toby Keith'', 1994's ''Boomtown'', 1996's ''Blue Moon'' and 1997's ''Dream Walkin''', plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of Mercury Records before exiting in 1998. These albums all earned gold or higher certification, and produced several chart singles, including his debut "Should've Been a Cowboy", which topped the country charts and was the most played country song of the 1990s. The song has received three million spins since then, according to Broadcast Music Incorporated.

Signed to Nashville DreamWorks in 1998, Keith released his breakthrough single "How Do You Like Me Now?!" that year. This song, the title track to his 1999 album of the same name, was the Number One country song of 2000, and one of several chart-toppers during his tenure on DreamWorks Nashville. His next three albums, ''Pull My Chain'', ''Unleashed'', and ''Shock'n Y'all'', produced three more Number Ones each, and all of the albums were certified multi-platinum. A second Greatest Hits package followed in 2004, and after that, he released ''Honkytonk University''.

When Dreamworks closed in 2005, Keith founded his own label, Show Dog Nashville, which became part of Show Dog-Universal Music in December 2009. He has released five studio albums on this label: 2006's ''White Trash with Money'', 2007's ''Big Dog Daddy'', 2008's ''That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy'', 2009's ''American Ride'' and 2010's ''Bullets in the Gun'' as well as the compilation ''35 Biggest Hits''. He has also signed several other acts to the label, including Trailer Choir, Carter's Chord, Flynnville Train, Trace Adkins, Mac McAnally and Mica Roberts. Keith also made his acting debut in 2005, starring in the film ''Broken Bridges'' and co-starred with comedian Rodney Carrington in the 2008 film ''Beer for My Horses''.

Keith has released thirteen studio albums, two Christmas albums, and multiple compilation albums. He has also charted more than forty singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts, including nineteen Number One hits and sixteen additional Top Ten hits. His longest-lasting Number One hits are "Beer for My Horses" (a 2003 duet with Willie Nelson) and "As Good as I Once Was" (2005), at six weeks each.

Early life

Toby Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, the son of Carolyn Joan (''née'' Ross) and Hubert K. Covel Jr. He has a sister, Tonni, and a brother, Tracy. The family lived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a few years when Toby was in grade school, but moved to Moore, Oklahoma (a suburb of Oklahoma City) when he was still young. Before the family moved to Moore, he visited his grandmother in Fort Smith during the summers. His grandmother owned Billie Garner's Supper Club in Fort Smith, where Keith became interested in the musicians who came there to play. He did odd jobs around the supper club and started getting up on the bandstand to play with the band. He got his first guitar at the age of eight. After the family moved to Moore, Oklahoma, Keith attended Highland West Junior High and Moore High School, where he played defensive end on a football team.

Keith graduated from Moore High School and worked as a derrick hand in the oil fields. He worked his way up to become an operation manager. At the age of 20, he and his friends Scott Webb, Keith Cory and Danny Smith, with a few others, formed the band Easy Money, which played at local bars as he continued to work in the oil industry. At times, he would have to leave in the middle of a concert if he was paged to work in the oil field.

In 1982, the oil industry in Oklahoma began a rapid decline and Keith soon found himself unemployed. He fell back on his football training and played defensive end with the semi-pro Oklahoma City Drillers while continuing to perform with his band. (The Drillers were an unofficial farm club of the United States Football League's Oklahoma Outlaws; Keith tried out for the Outlaws but did not make the team.) He then returned to focus once again on music. His family and friends were doubtful he would succeed, but in 1984, Easy Money began playing the honky tonk circuit in Oklahoma and Texas. The band cut a single titled "Blue Moon", which received some airplay on local radio stations in Oklahoma.

Career

In the early 1990s, Keith went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he hung out and busked on Music Row and at a place called Houndogs. He distributed copies of a demo tape the band had made to the many record companies in the city. There was no interest by any of the record labels, and Keith returned home feeling depressed. He had promised himself to have a recording contract by the time he was 30 years old or give up on music as a career, and had already passed that age without any prospects for a contract.

Fortunately for Keith, a flight attendant and fan of his gave a copy of Keith's demo tape to Harold Shedd, a Mercury Records executive, while he was traveling on a flight she was working. Shedd enjoyed what he heard, went to see Keith perform live and then signed him to a recording contract with Mercury. His debut single, "Should've Been a Cowboy" (1993), went to number 1 on the Billboard country singles chart, and his self-titled debut album was certified platinum. Other hit singles included "A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action" and "Wish I Didn't Know Now".

Keith was moved to Polydor Records and released his next album, ''Boomtown'' (1994), then was moved to A & M Records Nashville, as those two labels merged and released ''Blue Moon'' (1996). The albums went gold and platinum, respectively. In 1996, Keith was also featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print 1996 album ''Stars and Stripes Vol. 1'' performing a cover of their 1963 hit "Be True to Your School" with the Beach Boys themselves providing the harmonies and backing vocals.

A & M decided to fold their country division and Keith moved back to Mercury Records (now called Mercury Nashville), and released his fourth album, ''Dream Walkin'''' (1997). The album featured a duet with Sting, "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying", which had previously been a hit for Sting himself.

The first single off ''How Do You Like Me Now?!'' failed to make the Top 40 on the country charts. However, the follow-up single, which was the album's title track, went on to spend five weeks at number one, helping boost the album's sales to double platinum.

In 2002, he released the ''Unleashed'' album which included hit singles, "Who's Your Daddy?", "Beer for My Horses", and "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue".

On November 9, 2004, Keith released a remake of James Taylor and Carly Simon's "Mockingbird", a duet with his daughter, Krystal. They performed the song on the 2004 Country Music Awards. The song reached top 25 on the charts.

Keith was the subject of the January 2005 issue of ''Playboy''s Playboy Interview. That year, Keith toured with rock guitarist Ted Nugent, whom Keith met in Iraq while they were both performing in USO-sponsored shows for the coalition troops.

On August 31, 2005, Keith parted ways with Universal Music Group — which had since bought DreamWorks — and launched his own record label, Show Dog Nashville. Its first release was Keith's album ''White Trash with Money'', followed by the soundtrack to ''Broken Bridges''. ''Big Dog Daddy'', which featured his single "High Maintenance Woman", was released on June 12, 2007. The album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 charts, his third album to reach this feat, after ''Unleashed'' and ''Shock'n Y'all''.

He recorded a duet with Jimmy Buffett, "Piece of Work", which was featured on Buffett's album ''License to Chill''.

In 2008, Toby Keith completed his Biggest and Baddest Tour. On May 6, 2008, he released his ''35 Biggest Hits'' 2CD set. The set was certified Platinum in August 2008.

In July 2008, Toby Keith released his new single, "She Never Cried in Front of Me". A new album, ''That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy'', followed on October 28, 2008.

In 2009, Keith toured the U.S. with fellow country star Trace Adkins on a tour known as America's Toughest Tour. The concert series was kicked off on June 18, 2009 at PNC Bank Performing Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. Keith did a free show earlier in the day at Asbury Park's famous Stone Pony.

Keith's thirteenth studio album, ''American Ride'', was released on October 6, 2009.

In 2010, Keith performed on another USO tour, this time in South Korea.

A new studio album, ''Bullets in the Gun'', was released on October 5, 2010.

Television appearances

Keith performed on a series of television advertisements for Telecom USA for that company's discount long distance telephone service 10-10-220. He also starred in Ford commercials, singing original songs such as "Ford Truck Man" and "Field Trip (Look Again)" while driving Ford trucks.

Keith made an appearance at the very first Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (then NWA-TNA) weekly pay-per-view on June 19, 2002, where his playing of "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" was interrupted by Jeff Jarrett. He would later enter the Gauntlet for the Gold main event, suplexing Jarrett and eliminating him from the match. A short video of the suplex is seen in the clip package when he goes onstage. He would appear the next week, on June 26, and help Scott Hall defeat Jarrett in singles action.

Toby Keith received the "Colbert Bump" when he appeared on Comedy Central's ''The Colbert Report''. He holds the distinction of being the only musical artist to have received a five star rating from Stephen Colbert on iTunes. Keith furthered this connection when he appeared in Colbert's 2008 Christmas Special as a hunter.

Acting

In the Autumn of 2005, he filmed ''Broken Bridges'', written by Cherie Bennett and Jeff Gottesfeld, and directed by Steven Goldmann. This feature film from Paramount/CMT Films was released on September 8, 2006. In this contemporary story set in small-town Tennessee, Keith plays Bo Price, a washed-up country musician. The movie also stars Kelly Preston, Burt Reynolds, Tess Harper, and Lindsey Haun.

Keith wrote and starred in the 2008 movie ''Beer for My Horses'', which is based on the 2003 hit song of the same name recorded by Keith and Willie Nelson.

Other business ventures

In 2005, Keith opened Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as Tulsa, Oklahoma, and now has restaurants in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Tempe, Arizona. Toby Keith does not actually own the new restaurants; the new restaurant is the first in a franchise under Scottsdale, Arizona-based Capri Restaurant Group Enterprises LLC, which purchased the master license agreement to build more Toby Keith restaurants nationwide. Capri Restaurant Group is owned by Frank Capri, who opened the restaurant in Mesa in the shopping center known as Mesa Riverview and is planning on opening multiple locations across the country. In 2009, Capri Restaurant Group announced that it will open another I Love this Bar & Grill location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's South Side Works shopping and entertainment district.

In February 2010 a new Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill opened in the Winstar World Casino, exit 1 on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma. The Capri Restaurant Group opened two locations in 2010 in Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Michigan and in the Shops at West End in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Expected to open in late 2011 is the location at The Shops at Oyster Point in Newport News, Virginia.

Keith also established a line of clothing, "TK Steelman", in early 2009.

Toby Keith also supports Ally's House, a non-profit organization in Oklahoma designed to aid children with cancer. Of the charity, Keith said:

In 2011 Toby Keith also started showing his love for the flavors of Mexico by introducing a new drink named “Wild Shot". At first it was only available in Mexico, but now is sold and served in America. It is also a featured drink in his restaurant chain "I Love this Bar and Grill".

Political beliefs

Since 2002, Keith has made numerous trips to the Middle East to bring entertainment and encouragement to the men and women serving on or near the front lines. “My father was a soldier. He taught his kids to respect veterans,” said Keith. “It’s that respect and the thank-you that we have a military that’s in place and ready to defend our nation; our freedom.”

In 2004, Keith called himself "a conservative Democrat who is sometimes embarrassed for his party". He endorsed the re-election of President George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election and performed at a Dallas, Texas, rally on the night before the election. Keith also endorsed Democrat Dan Boren in his successful run in Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district and is good friends with former Democratic New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. In a January 2007 interview with ''Newsday'', Keith was asked whether he supported the Iraq War. He responded with "Never did," and said he favors setting a time limit on the campaign. He also said, "I don't apologize for being patriotic... If there is something socially incorrect about being patriotic and supporting your troops, then they can kiss my ass on that, because I'm not going to budge on that at all. And that has nothing to do with politics. Politics is what's killing America."

In April 2008, Keith said that Barack Obama "looks like a great speaker and a great leader. And I think you can learn on your feet in there, so I don't hold people responsible for not having a whole bunch of political background in the House and Senate." At the same time he remarked, "I think [John] McCain is a great option too." In August 2008, he called Obama "the best Democratic candidate we've had since Bill Clinton".

In October 2008, Keith told CMT that he had left the Democratic Party and has re-registered as in independent. "My party that I've been affiliated with all these years doesn't stand for anything that I stand for anymore," he says. "They've lost any sensibility that they had, and they've allowed all the kooks in. So I'm going independent." He also told CMT that he would likely vote for the Republican ticket, partially because of his admiration for Sarah Palin.

In March 2009, Keith received the Johnny "Mike" Spann Memorial Semper Fidelis Award during a New York ceremony held by the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. The trophy is named for the CIA operative (and former Marine Corps captain) who was the first U.S. casualty in the war in Afghanistan. "Spending time with our soldiers around the world is something I've always regarded as a privilege and honor," he said. "I'm certainly happy to accept this award, but I won't forget for a second who's really doing the heavy lifting to keep this country safe. And that's why I'll keep going back and spending time with those good folks every chance I get."

In April 2009, he voiced support for Obama on Afghanistan and other decisions: "He hired one of my best friends who I think should run for president someday...Gen. James Jones as a national security adviser. He's sending troops into Afghanistan, help is on the way there. And I'm seeing some really good middle range stuff. I'm giving our commander in chief a chance before I start grabbing. So far, I'm cool with it."

Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue

On March 24, 2001, Keith’s father, H.K. Covel, was killed in a car accident. That event and the September 11 attacks in 2001 prompted Keith to write the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue", a song about his father’s patriotism and faith in the United States. At first, Keith refused to record the song and sang it only live at his concerts for military personnel. The reaction was so strong that the Commandant of the Marine Corps James L. Jones told Keith it was his "duty as an American citizen" to record the song. As the lead single from the album ''Unleashed'' (2002), "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue" peaked at number one over the Fourth of July weekend.

ABC invited Keith to sing "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue" on a 2002 Fourth of July concert it was producing, then rescinded the invitation after host Peter Jennings heard the song and vetoed it. Jennings said the song “probably wouldn’t set the right tone.” "I find it interesting that he's not from the U.S.," Keith said of Jennings, who was Canadian. "I bet Dan Rather'd let me do it on his special."

Feud with the Dixie Chicks

Keith had a public feud with the Dixie Chicks over the song "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue", in 2003 as well as over comments they made about President George W. Bush on stage during a concert in London. The lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, publicly stated that Keith's song was "ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant." Keith responded by belittling Maines' songwriting skills, and by displaying a backdrop at his concerts showing a doctored photo of Maines with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. On May 21, 2003, Maines wore a T-shirt with the letters "FUTK" on the front at the Academy of Country Music Awards. While a spokesperson for the Dixie Chicks said that the acronym stood for "Friends United in Truth and Kindness," many, including host Vince Gill, took it to be a shot at Keith ("Fuck You Toby Keith"). In an October 2004 appearance on ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', Maines finally confessed that it was indeed a shot at Toby Keith, and that she "thought that nobody would get it."

In August 2003, Keith's representation publicly declared he was done feuding with Maines "because he's realized there are far more important things to concentrate on". Keith was referring specifically to the terminal illness of a former bandmate's daughter, Allison Faith Webb. However, he continues to refuse to say Maines' name, and claims that the doctored photo was intended to express his opinion that Maines' criticism was an attempt to squelch Keith's free speech.

In an announcement in April 2008, a commercial spot to promote Al Gore's "We Campaign" involving both the Dixie Chicks and Toby Keith was proposed. However, the idea was eventually abandoned due to scheduling conflicts.

Personal life

On March 24, 1984, Keith married Tricia Lucus. He is the father of three children; two daughters Shelley (born 1980, adopted by Toby in 1984) and Krystal (born 1985), one son, Stelen (born 1997) and has one granddaughter (born 2008; mother is Shelley). An avid University of Oklahoma sports fan, Keith is often seen at Oklahoma Sooners games and practices. He is also a fan of professional wrestling, being seen in the front row of numerous WWE shows that take place in Oklahoma, as well as performing "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)" live at the first ever TNA Wrestling show on June 19, 2002.

On March 24, 2001, Keith's father was killed in a car accident on Interstate 35. On December 25, 2007, the Covel family was awarded $2.8 million for the wrongful death of H.K. Covel. Elias and Pedro Rodriguez, operators of Rodriguez Transportes of Tulsa, and the Republic Western Insurance Co. were found liable as they failed to properly equip the charter bus with properly working air brakes.

Tours

Brooks & Dunn's Neon Circus & Wild West Show 2001

Unleashed Tour 2002

Big Throwdown Tour 2004

Shock'N Y'all Tour 2005

White Trash With Money Tour 2006

Hookin' Up & Hangin' Out Tour 2007

*with Miranda Lambert

Big Dog Daddy Tour 2007

Biggest & Baddest Tour 2008-2009

*with Montgomery Gentry and Trailer Choir

America's Toughest Tour 2009

*with Trace Adkins Also Julianne Hough(Few Dates)

Toby Keith's American Ride Tour 2010

*with Trace Adkins & James Otto

Locked & Loaded Tour 2011

*with Eric Church

Discography

Studio albums

''Toby Keith'' (1993)

''Boomtown'' (1994)

''Blue Moon'' (1996)

''Dream Walkin''' (1997)

''How Do You Like Me Now?!'' (1999)

''Pull My Chain'' (2001)

''Unleashed'' (2002)

''Shock'n Y'all'' (2003)

''Honkytonk University'' (2005)

''White Trash with Money'' (2006)

''Big Dog Daddy'' (2007)

''That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy'' (2008)

''American Ride'' (2009)

''Bullets in the Gun'' (2010)

''Clancy's Tavern'' (2011)

Compilation albums

''Greatest Hits Volume One'' (1998)

''20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection'' (2003)

''Greatest Hits 2'' (2004)

''35 Biggest Hits'' (2008)

Christmas albums

''Christmas to Christmas'' (1995)

''A Classic Christmas'' (2007)

Number one singles

"Should've Been a Cowboy"

"Who's That Man"

"Me Too"

"How Do You Like Me Now?!"

"You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This"

"I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight"

"I Wanna Talk About Me"

"My List"

"Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)"

"Who's Your Daddy?"

"Beer for My Horses" (duet with Willie Nelson)

"I Love This Bar"

"American Soldier"

"Whiskey Girl"

"As Good as I Once Was"

"Love Me If You Can"

"She Never Cried in Front of Me"

"God Love Her"

"American Ride"

Notable awards

American Music Awards

2002 Favorite Country Album - "Unleashed"

2003 Favorite Country Album - "Shock'n Y'all"

2003 Favorite Country Male Artist

2005 Favorite Country Male Artist

Academy of Country Music

2000 Album of the Year - "How Do You Like Me Now?!"

2000 Top Male Vocalist

2002 Entertainer of the Year

2003 Album of the Year - "Shock'n Y'all"

2003 Entertainer of the Year

2003 Top Male Vocalist

2003 Video of the Year with Willie Nelson - "Beer for My Horses"

Country Music Association

2001 Male Vocalist of the Year

Billboard

Country Artist Of The Decade

American Country Awards

Visionary Artist Award at the Inagural American Country Awards, given out on Monday, December 6, 2010.

Notes

External links

Toby Keith official website

Category:1961 births Category:Actors from Oklahoma Category:American baritones Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American record producers Category:DreamWorks Records artists Category:Living people Category:Mercury Records artists Category:Musicians from Oklahoma Category:People from Custer County, Oklahoma Category:Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductees Category:Show Dog-Universal Music artists

cs:Toby Keith da:Toby Keith pdc:Toby Keith de:Toby Keith et:Toby Keith es:Toby Keith fr:Toby Keith no:Toby Keith pt:Toby Keith ru:Кит, Тоби simple:Toby Keith sv:Toby Keith

name	Demi Lovato
background	solo_singer
birth name	Demetria Devonne Lovato
birth date	August 20, 1992
birth place	Dallas, Texas, United States
instrument	Vocals, guitar, piano
genre	Pop rock
occupation	Singer, songwriter, actress, musician, dancer, model, activist
years active	2002–present
label	Hollywood
website	}}

Demetria Devonne "Demi" Lovato (born August 20, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. Her earliest roles included Angela on ''Barney & Friends'', before she became better known for her starring roles in the ''Camp Rock'' movies, as Sonny Munroe in ''Sonny with a Chance'', and as the star of the 2009 movie ''Princess Protection Program''. She is also involved in philanthropic activities through charity work and various social and environmental causes.

As a solo musical artist, Lovato released her debut album ''Don't Forget'' on September 23, 2008. The album debuted at #2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 selling 89,000 copies in the first week. It has since shipped over 500,000 copies earning a Gold certification in the United States. Lovato released her second album, ''Here We Go Again'', on July 21, 2009. The album debuted at #1 on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 108,000 copies in the first week.

Life and career

Childhood and youth

Lovato was born in Dallas, Texas on August 20, 1992 to Patrick Lovato and Dianna Hart de la Garza. She is of Mexican, Irish, and Italian descent. She has an older sister, Dallas Lovato, and a younger half sister, Madison de la Garza. Her mother was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and country music recording artist. Lovato began playing piano at the age of seven. Lovato also began her acting career at the age of seven on the children's television series ''Barney & Friends'' as Angela, appearing in seasons seven and eight alongside long time friend Selena Gomez. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Lovato revealed going through painful experiences with bullying in the seventh grade. According to Lovato, the bullying was so bad that one day, in a fit of frustration and distress, she requested her mom give her a home-schooled education. Lovato earned a high school diploma through homeschooling in April 2009. Lovato also stated in an interview with ''20/20'' in 2011 that she had had a "really unhealthy relationship with food" since age 8 due to bullying experienced as a child, and self-mutilated her wrists to cope with her emotions and depression since age 11. Lovato later became a spokesperson for anti-bullying organization PACER and appeared on ''America's Next Top Model'' and CNN to speak out against bullying.

In 2006 Lovato guest starred on ''Prison Break'' as Danielle Curtin in the episode "First Down." She also appeared in the second season of the television sitcom ''Just Jordan'' as Nicole, in the episode "Slippery When Wet." In January 2007, she landed the role of Charlotte Adams on the Disney Channel Original Short Series, ''As the Bell Rings'', which premiered on August 26, 2007. A few of her original songs, including "Shadow," were featured on the show.

2007–09: ''Camp Rock'', ''Don't Forget'' and ''Sonny with a Chance''

In the summer of 2007, Lovato auditioned for the Disney Channel television film ''Camp Rock'' and the television series ''Sonny with a Chance'' in the same day and got both parts. For ''Camp Rock'', she submitted an audition tape and Gary Marsh, Disney's president of entertainment, asked her to sing. She sang Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man", and Hollywood Records senior vice president Bob Cavallo said that their "jaws just dropped". Lovato received the lead role in ''Camp Rock'', and a record deal with Hollywood Records in early 2008. In ''Camp Rock'' she played Mitchie Torres, a fourteen-year-old girl with hopes of becoming a singer. The movie premiered on June 20, 2008 in the United States on the Disney Channel with 8.9 million viewers, making Lovato a household name among young viewers. She provided vocals on four of the songs featured on the ''Camp Rock'' soundtrack, including "This Is Me" featuring Joe Jonas. The song peaked at #9 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. In June and July 2008, Lovato performed at various House of Blues and parks for her Demi Live! Warm Up Tour in preparation for the release of her debut album and the Burnin' Up Tour with the Jonas Brothers. Lovato served as the support act on the Jonas Brothers' Burnin' Up Tour from July through September 2008.

Lovato's debut album, ''Don't Forget'' was released in the fall of 2008. The bulk of the album was co-written with the Jonas Brothers, who also produced the album with John Fields. They co-wrote ten songs in a week during the band's headlining Look Me in the Eyes Tour. The album is of the pop-rock genre and is lyrically similar to other teen-pop albums. It peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 89,000 units in its first week of release. It has since sold over 500,000 records in the US. Critics noticed the distinct sound of the Jonas Brothers in the production of the album. ''Don't Forget'' spawned three singles, "Get Back", "La La Land" and "Don't Forget", all of which were moderately successful, peaking around the top 40 and 50 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The most successful of which was the title track which was one position shy of entering the top 40 songs. ''Sonny With a Chance'' premiered on February 8, 2009, Lovato starred as Sonny Munroe, the new cast member of a live sketch comedy show titled ''So Random!''. In June 2009 Lovato co-starred in ''Princess Protection Program'' as Princess Rosalinda alongside Selena Gomez on the Disney Channel. The made-for-television movie is the third highest rated Disney Channel Original Movie, premiering on the Disney Channel with 9.8 million viewers.

Lovato joined Disney's Friends for Change, an organization which promotes "environmently-friendly behavior," and appears in its public service announcements to raise awareness for the cause on the Disney Channel. Lovato, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and the Jonas Brothers recorded "Send It On," a charity single that served as the theme song for the organization in 2009. The song debuted on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at #20. Disney's Friends for Change directed all of its proceeds from "Send It On" to environmental charities to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Lovato and Joe Jonas "Make a Wave" in 2010, the second charity single that currently serves as the theme song for Disney's Friends for Change.

2009–10: ''Here We Go Again'', ''Camp Rock 2'' and personal struggles

Lovato embarked on the Summer Tour 2009 to promote her second album, ''Here We Go Again'', released in the summer of 2009. The album debuted at #1 on the ''Billboard'' 200 with 108,000 records sold in its first week. The album was more inspired by acoustic music, such as John Mayer's songs, than her debut's pop rock-influenced sound. The album received favorable reviews from critics, ''Billboard'' called Lovato "a natural talent who could really take flight after outgrowing Disney." Allmusic ranked ''Here We Go Again'' as one of the best pop albums of 2009. The album was preceded by the lead single, "Here We Go Again," which was released on June 23, 2009. It reached #15 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The album's second single, "Remember December," was released on November 17, 2009 but only managed to reach #6 on ''Billboard'''s Bubbling Under Hot 100 (number 106 on the Hot 100).

In September 2009, production began for ''Camp Rock'''s sequel, ''Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam''. The Disney Channel Original Movie premiered on September 3, 2010, upon which it gained 8 million viewers. In March 2010, Lovato was one of the many stars featured in a public service announcement for Voto Latino in order to promote the organization's "Be Counted" campaign for the 2010 United States Census. Lovato returned for a second season of ''Sonny with a Chance'' and appeared as a guest star in an episode of the medical drama series ''Grey's Anatomy'' as a teenage patient named Haley, whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia. In a review of the episode, EW.com praised her performance, stating, "I still believe that even an unbiased observer would conclude that the Disney princess did a fine job acting it up as a suicidal 16-year-old who was admitted after trying to claw her own eyes out." Lovato began dating Joe Jonas, whom she first met while filming the first ''Camp Rock'' film. They split up in May. Lovato's South American Tour was her first international headlining tour. The tour commenced on May 23, 2010 in Santiago, Chile and concluded on May 28, 2010 in São Paulo, Brazil.

She later joined the Jonas Brothers Live in Concert tour as a special guest. Lovato dropped out of the tour on October 30, 2010 in order to enter a treatment facility to treat physical and emotional issues. In particular, many media sources immediately reported that Lovato had decided to enter treatment right after punching a Jonas Brothers back-up dancer, Alex Welch, on a flight out of Bogotá, Colombia, allegedly because Lovato believed that Welch had informed tour managers of inappropriate behaviour on Lovato's part the previous night, causing Lovato to be confronted by her managers and her stepfather, Eddie de la Garza. Lovato's camp reached a financial settlement with Welch in late December 2010, with Welch stating that the agreement stipulated for a portion of the settlement to be donated to charity. On January 28, 2011, it was reported that Lovato had completed her inpatient treatment.

Lovato granted her first post-rehab interview to ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, which aired on ''Good Morning America'' and ''20/20'' on April 22, 2011. During the interview, Lovato confirmed reports that her treatment was for bulimia and self-injury, and had taken place at the Timberline Knolls facility in Illinois after the aforementioned confrontation between her and Welch led to an intervention by her family and management team. Her condition came to a head during the tour because Lovato "was performing concerts on an empty stomach...I was losing my voice from purging. I was self-medicating. I was not taking medication for depression, and I literally was so emotionally whacked out that I took it out on someone that meant a lot to me." Lovato expressed regret at her actions towards Welch, stating "I take 100 percent, full responsibility..." In another interview, Lovato added that she had "basically had a nervous breakdown", and was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her treatment.

2011–present: ''Unbroken''

Lovato will not return to ''Sonny with a Chance'' and will instead focus on her music career, stating that "it's kind of sad for me that a chapter of my life has ended but there couldn't be a better time for me to move on...I don't think going back to ''Sonny'' would be healthy for my recovery...Being in front of a camera would make me nervous." To raise awareness about personal issues similar to her own, Lovato became a Contributing Editor to ''Seventeen'' magazine. She will discuss her personal issues as a part of a larger campaign called "Love is Louder than the Pressure to Be Perfect", directed towards teen girls.

Lovato's third studio album, ''Unbroken'', will be released on September 20, 2011. Lovato began working on the album in July 2010, prior to receiving treatment. She had described it as having a more soulful and R&B; inspired sound, citing Keri Hilson and Rihanna as inspirations for the sound. After Lovato's stint in the treatment facility, producer Timbaland expressed interest in working with her. Lovato confirmed in July 2011 that she was working on a duet with the producer. The first single off the album, "Skyscraper", premiered on July 12, 2011. Lovato scored her first top 10 debut on the ''Billboard'' 100, as "Skyscraper" debuts at number 10.

Influences

She is a fan of heavy metal music, such as Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Abigail Williams, The Devil Wears Prada, and Job for a Cowboy.

Filmography

colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;"	Films
Year	Film	Role	! Notes
2008	''Camp Rock''	Mitchie Torres
	''Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience''	Herself	Concert film
''Princess Protection Program''	Princess Rosalinda	Disney Channel Original Movie
2010	''Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam''	Mitchie Torres	Disney Channel Original Movie
Television
! Year	! Title	! Role	! Notes
2002–2003	''Barney & Friends''	Angela	Recurring role
	''Prison Break''	Danielle Curtin
	Herself	1 episode
2007–2008
	''Just Jordan''	Nicole
''Studio DC: Almost Live''	Herself	Second show
2009–2011	''Sonny with a Chance''	Allison "Sonny" Munroe	Lead role
	2010	''Grey's Anatomy''	Hayley	(1 episode) "Shiny Happy People"	WON People's Choice Awards Favorite TV Guest Star

Discography

2008: ''Don't Forget''

2009: ''Here We Go Again''

2011: ''Unbroken''

See also

Demi Lovato tours

List of songs by Demi Lovato

Awards and Nominations

Year !! Award !! Category !! Work !! Result
rowspan="6"	2009		Young Artist Awards	"Best Performance in a TV Movie – Leading Young Actress"	''Camp Rock''
	"Choice TV – Breakout Star Female"	''Sonny With a Chance''
"Choice Music – Tour (shared with David Archuleta)"
"Choice Other Stuff – Red Carpet Icon: Female"	Herself
"Choice Summer – TV Star-Female"	''Princess Protection Program''
Alma Awards	Special Achievement In Music	Herself
	People's Choice Awards	Favorite Breakout Music Artist	Herself
	Young Artist Award	"Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Special – Leading Young Actress"	''Princess Protection Program''
	"Choice TV Comedy Actress"	''Sonny With A Chance''
"Choice Breakout Artist: Female"	Herself
"Choice Pop Album"
"Choice Love Song"	''Catch Me''
"Choice Hook Up" (shared with We The Kings)	''We'll Be a Dream''
		"Favorite TV Guest Star"	''Greys Anatomy''
	"Choice TV Actress: Comedy"	''Sonny with a Chance''
"Choice Twit"	Herself
"Choice Summer: Music Star – Female"	Herself
"Choice Summer: Song"
"Acuvue Inspire Award"	Herself
	"TV Star"	''Sonny With A Chance''
"Charity Song (Shared with Joe Jonas)"	Make A Wave
Alma Awards	"Favorite TV Actress – Leading Role in a Comedy"	''Sonny With A Chance''

References

External links

Category:1992 births Category:Actors from Texas Category:American bloggers Category:American child actors Category:American child singers Category:American Christians Category:21st-century actors Category:American female singers Category:American Internet personalities Category:American musicians of Irish descent Category:American musicians of Italian descent Category:American musicians of Mexican descent Category:American pop singer-songwriters Category:American rock singers Category:American television actors Category:Fascination Records artists Category:Hollywood Records artists Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Texas Category:People from Dallas, Texas

af:Demi Lovato ar:ديمي لوفاتو az:Demi Lovato bs:Demi Lovato bg:Деми Ловато ca:Demetria Devonne Lovato cs:Demi Lovato da:Demi Lovato de:Demi Lovato et:Demi Lovato es:Demi Lovato eu:Demi Lovato fa:دمی لواتو fr:Demi Lovato gl:Demi Lovato ko:데미 로바토 hy:Դեմի Լովատո hr:Demi Lovato id:Demi Lovato it:Demi Lovato he:דמי לובאטו kn:ಡೆಮಿ ಲೊವಾಟೋ ka:დემი ლოვატო la:Demetria Lovato lv:Demi Lovato hu:Demi Lovato ms:Demi Lovato mn:Деми Ловато nl:Demi Lovato ja:デミ・ロヴァート no:Demi Lovato nn:Demi Lovato pl:Demi Lovato pt:Demi Lovato ro:Demi Lovato ru:Ловато, Деми sq:Demi Lovato simple:Demi Lovato sk:Demi Lovato sl:Demi Lovato sh:Demi Lovato fi:Demi Lovato sv:Demi Lovato tl:Demi Lovato ta:டெமி லோவாடோ th:เดมี่ โลวาโต้ tr:Demi Lovato uk:Демі Ловато vi:Demi Lovato zh:黛咪·洛瓦特

Name	Chantal Chamandy
Background	solo_singer
Origin	Alexandria, Egypt
Genre	Adult Contemporary, Dance-pop, World
Years active	2005–present
Label	Ninemuse
Website	www.chantalchamandy.com }}

Chantal Chamandy (born at Alexandria, Egypt) is a Canadian singer and entertainer based in Montreal, Quebec. She previously performed under the names Chantal Condor and Chantal.

Career

Her first success was as part of Voggue, a disco duo she formed with Angela Songui. In 1980, the duo released its first self-titled album, which contains the singles "Love Buzz", "Here We Are" and their most successful single, "Dancin' the Night Away". In 1983, a second album was released on Matra Records, containing the singles "I Want To Dance" and "Sunstruck Lovers". Voggue disbanded in 1984.

After Voggue, she recorded as a solo act. She released the single "Hands Up" in 1985 on Epic Records using her full name Chantal Condor. The song would be remade by Canadian trio Sway in 1987 and become a big Canadian hit. The single led to an album deal with the label, and she released the album ''Chantal Condor'' in 1986. Her style was sometimes described as Italo disco. Off the album came the singles "Marinero" (backed with "Don't You Want My Love") and "Nightmare". She received a Juno Award nomination in 1986 for Most Promising Female Vocalist of the Year, but lost to Kim Richardson.

In 1989, she dropped use of her last name, releasing ''Chantal'', on the Columbia Records label. The single "A Little Lovin'" became her only charting single on Canada's RPM 100 Singles chart. In 1991 she became a member of the French-Canadian dance quartet Collage and appeared on their first and only album, but soon left the group. They then became a trio and the album was re-released without Chantal on the cover.

She did not release new material again until 2006, when she released a series of singles on her own independent label Ninemuse. She also used a number of unconventional strategies to get her name and material back into the public eye, including a self-financed marketing campaign on public transit and selling her single "Feels Like Love" for $1 a copy in the Dollarama chain of dollar stores, which resulted in the single selling over 10,000 copies and being picked up for sale in conventional record stores. She released ''Love Needs You'', her first new album since 1989, later the same year.

On 7 September 2007, she performed a concert in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt in conjunction with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. That performance was released on album and DVD in 2008 as ''Beladi'', and was also made available for broadcast on PBS in the United States.

Chamandy is also credited with some small appearances in Canadian films.

Albums

''Chantal Condor'' (1986)

''Chantal'' (1989)

''Love Needs You'' (August 15, 2006)

''Beladi'' (2008)

Singles

"Hands Up" (1985)

"Marinero" (1986)

"Nightmare" (1986)

"A Little Lovin'" (1989)

"Angel In Your Eyes" (1989)

"You Want Me" (January 1, 2006)

"Feels Like Love" (August 8, 2006)

''Chantal'' album (1989)

List of track titles (writers) - Chantal performs lead vocals for all songs, unless noted otherwise.

"A Little Lovin'" (Brian Macleod)

"Angel in Your Eyes" (Brian Macleod)

"Don't You Want My Love" (Aldo Nova)

"Can't Dance Forever" (Ken LeRay)

"Let Me Be the One" (Peter Wood, Chantal) - Duet with Chantal and Michael Ruff

"Sometimes Love Can Heal a Broken Heart" (Peter Wood, Chantal)

"Imagination" (Ross, Bayyan)

"You've Got Potential" (Michael Jay, Alan Scott)

"Some Kind of Magic" (M. Mangold, Aldo Nova)

"Ready or Note?" (Peter Wood, Chantal)

"Bells" (D. Allen, R. Van Hoy, M. Humpris)

''Chantal'' was produced by Peter Wood

DVDs

''Beladi: A Night at The Pyramids'' (2008)

Filmography

''Scanners III: The Takeover (1992)'' - Female Guest. One of the sequels to ''Scanners''

''Crazy Moon'' (1987) - Cleveland's Girlfriend

''Wednesday's Children: Robert'' (1987) (Short film)

''Miles to Go'' (1986) (TV movie) - Meg

''Discussions in Bioethics: Critical Choice'' (1985) (Short film)

References

External links

Chantal Chamandy's official website

Chantal Chamandy on Virb

Chantal Chamandy's Myspace

Ninemuse's website

Chantal Condor at Discogs

''Chantal'' (album) at Discogs

"Marinero / Don't You Want My Love" at Discogs

[ "Dancin' the Night Away"] at Allmusic

Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Canadian dance musicians Category:Canadian female singers Category:Canadian pop singers Category:Egyptian emigrants to Canada Category:Musicians from Montreal Category:People from Alexandria