Name	Debby Boone
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Deborah Anne Boone
Alias	Debby Boone Ferrer
Birth date	September 22, 1956
birth place	Hackensack, New Jersey, United States
Origin	Los Angeles, California
Instrument	Vocals
Genre	Pop, country, Christian
Occupation	Singer, actress, author
Years active	1977–present
Label	Concord, Curb
Associated acts	Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney
Website	Debby Boone Official Website }}

Deborah ("Debby") Anne Boone (born September 22, 1956) is an American singer and stage actress. She is best known for her 1977 hit, "You Light Up My Life," which spent a then record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and led to her winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist the following year. Boone later focused her music career on country music resulting in the 1980 No. 1 country hit, "Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again". In the 1980s, she recorded Christian music which garnered her four top 10 Contemporary Christian albums as well as two more Grammys. Throughout her career, Boone has appeared in several musical theater productions and has co-authored many children's books with husband, Gabriel Ferrer.

Biography[link]

Beginnings[link]

Debby Boone was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, the third of four daughters born to singer-actor Pat Boone and Shirley Foley Boone, daughter of country music star Red Foley. When Boone was 14 years old, she began touring with her parents and three sisters: Cherry, Lindy and Laury. The sisters first recorded with their parents as The Pat Boone Family and later as the Boones or Boone Girls. They primarily recorded gospel music, although the sisters also released singles for the Motown and Curb labels that were remakes of secular pop music featuring Debby as the lead vocalist.

The Boones twice reached Billboard's AC charts with 1975's "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes" (No. 25), a remake of the Supremes' first top 40 hit, and 1977's "Hasta Mañana" (No. 32), a cover of a track from ABBA's ''Waterloo'' album.

"You Light Up My Life"[link]

With her older sisters married and younger sister, Laury, in college, Boone was actively encouraged by producer Mike Curb to launch a solo career. Boone released her first solo effort, "You Light Up My Life" (which had been featured in the film of the same name) in 1977. The song became the biggest hit of the 1970s spending ten consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — longer than any other song in Hot 100 history to that point. (In 2008, ''Billboard'' ranked the song No. 7 among all songs that charted in the 50 year history of the Hot 100.) The song earned Boone a Grammy Award for ''Best New Artist'' and an American Music Award for Favorite Pop Single of 1977. She also received Grammy nominations for Best Pop Vocal Performance - Female and Record Of The Year won by, respectively, Barbra Streisand ("Love Theme From "A Star Is Born" (Evergreen)") and the Eagles ("Hotel California"). "You Light Up My Life" also succeeded on Billboard's Adult Contemporary (No. 1 for one week) and Country (No. 4) singles charts. The single and the album (No. 6 Pop, No. 6 Country) of the same name were both certified platinum.

The song, written and produced by Joe Brooks, was from the film of the same name. Brooks earned Song of the Year awards at both the 1978 Grammys and Oscars for writing the song. (Boone performed the song at both awards shows.) Boone's version, contrary to popular belief, was not used in the movie or featured on its soundtrack. The song was lip-synched in the film by its star, Didi Conn, performing to vocals recorded by the late Kacey Cisyk. Although written as a love song, Boone interpreted the song as inspirational and stated that she recorded the song for God.

Boone's overnight success led to a tour with her father and frequent television appearances. However, Boone was unable to maintain her success in pop music after "You Light Up My Life". Her follow-up single, "California" (also written and produced by Joe Brooks), stumbled peaking at No. 50 Pop and No. 20 AC. "California" was included on Boone's second album, ''Midstream'', which faltered at No. 147 Pop. Her next single, the double-sided "God Knows"/"Baby I'm Yours," also struggled peaking at No. 74 Pop becoming her last entry on the Hot 100. However, the single charted AC (No. 14) and returned Boone to the country chart (No. 22). Boone then released another movie theme, "When You're Loved", from ''The Magic of Lassie.'' Like "You Light Up My Life", the song was nominated for an Academy Award for its composers, the Sherman Brothers. But, it failed to replicate the success of her first single charting only No. 48 AC. Boone's wholesome persona was in contrast to the image-conscious pop music industry leading her career in different musical directions.

Country music[link]

With the crossover success of "You Light Up My Life" and "God Knows/Baby, I'm Yours", Boone began to focus on country music. (Her father, Pat, and maternal grandfather, Red Foley, had also recorded in that genre.) Her first country single, "In Memory of Your Love" (1978), fizzled at No. 61. But, she then hit No. 11 in 1979 with a remake of Connie Francis' "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own". Boone released another Connie Francis cover, "Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart" (No. 25), before releasing her 1979 eponymous album. Although the album included the two Francis remakes, her next two singles were not culled from this album - a remake of the Happenings' "See You in September" (No. 41 Country, No. 45 AC) and another Francis cover, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" (No. 48). (To date, "See You in September" has never been featured on any of Boone's albums, while "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" was included on her 1986 compilation, ''The Best of Debby Boone''.)

Her next album, 1980's ''Love Has No Reason'' (No. 17 Country), was produced by Larry Butler who helmed many of Kenny Rogers' records during the late 1970s. It resulted in the No. 1 Country and No. 31 AC hit, "Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again". Two weeks before ''Road'' ascended to No. 1, Boone was part of a historic Top 5 on the Billboard Country chart. For the week ending April 19, 1980, the Top 5 positions were all held by women:

# Crystal Gayle (''It's Like We Never Said Goodbye'') # Dottie West (''A Lesson in Leaving'') # Debby Boone (''Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again'') # Emmylou Harris (''Beneath Still Waters'') # Tammy Wynette (''Two Story House'' with George Jones)

The album generated two more country singles, "Free to Be Lonely Again" (No. 14) and "Take It Like a Woman" (No. 44). The latter single charted simultaneously with her father's "Colorado Country Morning" (No. 60). Butler also produced Boone's next album, 1981's ''Savin' It Up'' (No. 49 Country), which yielded two more country singles, "Perfect Fool" (No. 23 Country, No. 37 AC) and "It'll Be Him" (No. 46). Boone has not charted on either the Billboard AC or Country charts since the release of ''Savin' It Up''.

Christian music[link]

Boone then followed her heart and turned her musical career to contemporary Christian music winning two GMA Dove Awards and two more Grammys. Boone first recorded in this genre in 1980 with the Grammy winning ''With My Song''. Subsequent Christian albums included ''Surrender'' (1983), ''Choose Life'' (1985), ''Friends For Life'' (1987), and ''Be Thou My Vision'' (1989). In 1989, Boone released her Christmas album, ''Home For Christmas'', which boasted a duet with her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney, of Clooney's signature White Christmas.

Acting career[link]

During 1981–1982, Boone toured the United States in a production of the stage adaptation of the film ''Seven Brides for Seven Brothers''. The play was a commercial and critical success nationwide before opening on Broadway in July 1982. The Broadway reviews were lackluster, but a scathing review by the New York Times led the show to close after just five performances. The day after the show's closing, several of the show's stars and theater-goers protested the closing outside the New York Times building hoping for a retraction of its review and the re-opening of the show. But, despite the enthusiastic reception of the show from Broadway theater-goers, the producers believed that the show could not overcome its reviews and the show remained closed.

Boone continued her theater work appearing periodically in stage productions nationwide including lead roles in ''Camelot'', ''Meet Me In St. Louis'', ''Mississippi Love'', ''South Pacific'', ''The Human Comedy'' and ''The King And I''. Boone returned twice to the New York stage. She starred as Maria in the 1990 Lincoln Center production of ''The Sound Of Music'' which was nominated as Outstanding Musical Revival by the Drama Desk Awards. In 1996, Boone played against her image as Rizzo in the 1990s revival of ''Grease''.

Boone occasionally acted on television as well. Her first foray into television was a 1978 musical adaptation of O'Henry's ''The Gift Of The Magi'' co-starring John Rubinstein. Boone headlined two of her own NBC television music specials - ''The Same Old Brand New Me'' (1980) and ''One Step Closer'' (1982). She stunned many in 1984 by portraying Clarissa Hope, a former call girl turned Christian singer, in the television movie, ''Sins Of The Past''. The film, co-starring Anthony Geary, Barbara Carrera and Kim Cattrall, was a top 10 Nielsen hit. Boone also made guest appearances on several television shows including ''Step By Step'' and ''Baywatch Nights'' and was featured in the television films ''Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story'' and ''Treehouse Hostage''.

2005–present[link]

Once her children were grown, Boone revived her recording career in 2005 with the release of ''Reflections Of Rosemary''. The CD was a fond tribute to her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney, featuring songs performed by Clooney as well as other songs not associated with Clooney which Boone felt showed Clooney as the person she and her family knew and loved. Boone toured extensively for the album including several nights at New York's famed cabaret, Feinstein's, where Clooney often performed. In 2011, Boone released an album—and subsequent concert tour—called ''Swing This!'', celebrating the swing music and culture of 1960s Las Vegas.

Personal life[link]

Boone married Gabriel Ferrer on September 1, 1979. Like Boone, Ferrer is a member of another well-known Hollywood family. He is the son of Jose Ferrer and Rosemary Clooney, the brother of actors Miguel Ferrer and Rafael Ferrer and the cousin of actor George Clooney. The couple have four children: son Jordan (b. 1980), twin daughters Gabrielle and Dustin (b. 1983), and daughter Tessa (b. 1986).

Books[link]

Boone and her husband collaborated on several children's books which were all illustrated by Ferrer.

1981: ''Debby Boone So Far'' (autobiography)

1988: ''Bedtime Hugs For Little Ones''

1989: ''Tomorrow Is A Brand New Day''

1991: ''The Snow Angel''

1996: ''Welcome To This World''

1997: ''Nightlights''

1998: ''Counting Blessings''

''The Snow Angel'' was released both in book form and in a special audio edition featuring original songs by Mari Falcone, Boone's musical director for many years. Boone also released the two-volume children's video series entitled ''Debby Boone's Hug-a-Long Songs.'' She and her children appeared frequently on the cover of ''Good Housekeeping'' magazine during their childhood.

Discography[link]

Awards[link]

Academy of Country Music[link]

1977: Top New Female Vocalist

Dove Awards[link]

1981: Best Album By A Secular Artist, ''With My Song''

1984: Best Album By A Secular Artist, ''Surrender''

Grammys[link]

1977: Best New Artist

1980: Best Inspirational Performance: ''With My Song''

1983: Best Gospel Performance - Duo/Group for ''Keep The Flame Burning'' (with Phil Driscoll)

Nominations:

1977: Record Of The Year, ''You Light Up My Life''

1977: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Female

1984: Best Gospel Performance – Female

1985: Best Gospel Performance – Female

1987: Best Gospel Performance – Female

1989: Best Gospel Performance – Female

Music City News[link]

1978: Best New Female Artist

Record World[link]

1977: Pop New Female Vocalist – Albums

1977: Pop New Female Vocalist – Singles

1977: Pop Single (Solo Artist), "You Light Up My Life"

1977: Special Achievement

1978: Pop New Female Vocalist – Albums

1978: Pop New Female Vocalist – Singles

1978: Pop Single (Solo Artist), "You Light Up My Life"

References[link]

External links[link]

Debby Boone Official Website

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:American Christians Category:American female singers Category:American musical theatre actors Category:American pop singers Category:Cabaret singers Category:Grammy Award winners Category:People from Hackensack, New Jersey Category:Traditional pop music singers Category:Actors from New Jersey Category:American performers of Christian music

de:Debby Boone es:Debby Boone fr:Debby Boone pl:Debby Boone pt:Debby Boone simple:Debby Boone fi:Debby Boone sv:Debby Boone th:เดบบี บูน

name	Ainjel Emme
background	solo_singer
notable instruments	}}

Ainjel Emme (born September 28, 1978) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Background[link]

Born in Oakland, California, Ainjel Emme (pronounced "angel em") spent her early childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Venice, California before settling in Austin, Texas in 1991. She has maintained residency between Austin and Venice for the past two decades. She currently lives in Santa Monica, California. Known primarily as a recording artist and songwriter, Emme is also an accomplished guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer and producer.

Professional career[link]

Ainjel is a self-taught, DIY artist. She writes her own songs and covers the majority of instrumental / production duties on her solo recordings. Her debut album, Heartache Is Boring, was independently produced and released in October 2003 and received critical acclaim ["Shimmers with art and soul" - BUST Magazine (Spring 2004), "Hits the mark right out of the chute" - The Austin Chronicle, (October 2003)]. It made Top 10 CDs of the Year in 2003 at KUT 90.5 FM in Austin, TX and received regular airplay on KUT and KOOP 91.7 FM. Only 1000 copies of the album were ever manufactured. The CD went out of print in 2006, but is still available digitally through iTunes and other online retailers. Used copies of the disc have been known to fetch up to $100 on sites like eBay and Amazon.com.

In late 2004, Ainjel relocated to Los Angeles to focus more seriously on a career in the music business, develop new material and produce her next album. She worked as a part-time waitress and guitar teacher, interned in multiple entertainment company offices, independently studied audio production and graphic design, performed as a drummer / percussionist with art-rock outfit MASS Ensemble at Lollapalooza and Coachella in 2006, contributed guitar and vocals to the debut album for Maynard James Keenan's side-project, Puscifer in 2007, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard independent charts; guest appeared as the singing voice of Hello Kitty on the first-ever music CD for the Sanrio icon (''Hello World'', 2007), gigged as an accompanist and session vocalist, and toured internationally with all-girl AC/DC tribute Whole Lotta Rosies on rhythm guitar.

Her sophomore record, Everyone Is Beautiful, was released on January 11, 2011.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

''Everyone Is Beautiful'' (2011)

''Heartache is Boring'' (2003)

EPs[link]

''They Promised You America: Quiet Hour Demos Vol. 1'' (2005) - out of print

Collaborations[link]

''Ryantology'' - MC Werdplay

''"V" is for Viagra: The Remixes'' - Puscifer (acoustic guitar, backing vocals)

''"V" Is for Vagina'' - Puscifer (acoustic guitar, backing vocals)

References[link]

External links[link]

Official site

Ainjel Emme at iTunes

Ainjel Emme at Independent Artists Company (IAC)

Category:1978 births Category:Living people Category:American singers Category:Songwriters from California Category:People from Austin, Texas Category:People from Oakland, California Category:American rock guitarists