"I had great fun on stage with Julian, especially during At the Ceili when he used to swing me wildly round! He has a lovely voice and I wish him the best with his new CD." -Méav

Celtic Woman fans will instantly recognize Julian David Edwards as a member of the multi-talented CW choir. Featured in the last two concert performance DVDs ('A New Journey' and 'A Christmas Celebration'), he is perhaps best known to Méav fans as the handsome lad from 'At the Ceili' who was 'dark and poor' but won Méav's heart nonetheless.

Recently leaving CW to focus on his solo pursuits, his debut CD "Celtic Electricity" has brought him out of the shadows and onto center stage. Julian was generous enough to grant us this opportunity for a Q&A with him, and we made the most of it! We caught up with him between his travels.

Describe to us the real Julian. What inspires you and your music?
The real Julian is a pretty ordinary, down to earth guy from the Welsh Valleys! I was naturally quite under-confident growing up. Don't get me wrong, put me on the stage and I was fine but in every day life I was, and still today I can be quite a worrier. I'm one of three children from a working class family in Wales. I have a wonderful family who have supported me immensely and equally kept me very grounded. I look after myself both in mind and body, work hard and try to appreciate all the opportunities I have been given.

Without a doubt my travels and life experiences make me the person I am today and equally influence my music. I have learnt from the best and been inspired by both teachers and the wonderful characters I have been blessed with meeting.

Tell us about how your hometown influenced your music.
I grew up in a very small town called Abertillery in Wales. The town really exists due to the coal that was found in the valleys. In my grandparent's and parent's lives they knew Abertillery to be a thriving industrial coal-mining town. During my childhood, recession hit the United Kingdom and Margaret Thatcher's government famously closed all of the mines. The valleys in general never recovered from the loss of the industry. The countryside however soon became green again, wildlife returned and the Welsh landscape today has never looked prettier. Music was an active part of my upbringing and I was part of all sorts of societies in the valleys. Wales is very famous for its singing, it's choirs and musicians. On my album, I recorded "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "My Little Welsh Home" and the lyrics of these songs really portray my hometown. "Green, Green Grass of Home" simply describes my personal journey when I travel home.
Getting off the train from London, Paddington or flying into Cardiff airport! I was privileged to be born Welsh which definitely provides you with spirit and music in your blood. History and my upbringing in my local town immensely influence my music and me as a performer today.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
Without a doubt my mother and I have so much to thank her for. She's a wonderful lady who shaped the person I am today.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I studied classical violin and piano. But voice has always been my first instrument.

Did you grow up in a very musical family?
Indeed I did! My mother sings and plays the piano. My sisters and I all studied violin and piano. I was the only one to take voice lessons, but my sisters can sing. My dad is all about rugby and cricket, but if he is honest, he can hold a tune, and he also studied piano as a child.

Tell us about your early music influences. Any specific artists you looked up to while growing up?
At first I was influenced by visits to the theatre and watching musicals. Because of my mother's theatrical background we went to see all sorts of professional musicals and this planted the seed! We also watched all the old classics on video - Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, etc. I have always been a big Osmonds fan. I loved the Carpenters, Michael Jackson and George Michael. Then when I started to study voice at 12, I was quickly introduced to the classical composers such as Mozart, Bizet and Fauré.

How old were you when you realized that you wanted to be an artist and a performer?
This was never a conscious decision that I remember making! Probably, I guess, when I started singing lessons at around 12 and my teacher thought it was a possible career for me in the future.

Did you ever dream of being anything else other than being an artist ?
I always wanted to work in entertainment. The only other option that ever came into the equation was a career in Law. At 18 this was still an option but I followed my heart and went to stage school instead.

Do you have any hidden talents?
Not really. I had to stilt-walk once working for Norwegian Cruise Lines! Oh and I can bite my toenails! Does that count?

Tell us about your theatre background. What do you enjoy most about performing?
First of all, I just love Theatre. It's the most exciting, magical and wonderful world! I still get shivers down my back sometimes when I enter beautiful theatres. I'm always the geek wandering around the front of house in all the theatres and taking pictures. My favourite moment in theatre is right before a performance starts and you can feel this amazing energy in the building waiting for the show to start. As a child I always dreamt of going on tour with a big production and Riverdance fulfilled that dream for me. I love performing and the best feeling is being able to evoke emotion in an audience. To make someone smile, laugh or cry (in a good way) is a wonderful feeling. Being a good performer also requires a huge amount of discipline and I will take this principle forward into whatever life path I follow.

Do you still get nervous before a show? What do you do to help you prepare before a performance?
I do get nervous. Over the last few months I have been doing many solo concerts and fronting shows. After being in a chorus for a while it was daunting at first. Sometimes bigger venues and arenas are a little surreal as you feel set back and in your own little safe world behind the lights! (Does that make sense!!?) I have been playing intimate ballroom-type venues of late and this was pure nerve-wracking at first. I like to be very well prepared and as long as I am well rehearsed and prepared I'm happy and confident. I don't have any rituals or routines like some performers.

How did you get involved with CW? Did you have to audition to be in the choir?
I met David Downes in 2003 when he came to fill in for a few weeks as musical director on the 'Liffey' Company of Riverdance. We were in Japan at the time. A few years later I was very flattered to receive an email and then a phone call asking me if I would be interested in working on the tour with Celtic Woman. The normal path would be to audition for the choir but I was very fortunate and was asked to join the cast based on my previous work with David. This rarely happens and I am very grateful and flattered he picked me.

Fondest memories whilst on tour with CW?
I have so many fond memories with Celtic Woman it's very difficult to pick one over another. I made some wonderful friends and shared some very special moments on and off stage. I have made some life-long friends who will always be a big part of my life. I have wonderful memories from rehearsals in Dublin, filming the two DVDs, on tour buses across the USA, in Japan and more recently in Europe. One tour I organised an Oscar's party in Philadelphia and due to some very heavy snow the whole company arrived! We all filled in the ballot sheets before the screening and I marked them throughout the night. Méav had the most amount of predicted winning Oscars and shared first place with the makeup artist Nil. I'm sure the Oscars weren't the same this year without me! The filming of the 'New Journey' DVD is also a very fond memory and Méav and I had a lot of fun filming 'The Ceili.' I will always be the original poor man she chooses!!!

Any funny or memorable moments during your time with CW?
From time to time the tour would play a smaller venue or theatre and we would not have the full set. It would mean a quick rehearsal to re-block some of the staging and choreography. In one of these theatres I forgot part of the stage was missing (during 'Caledonia') and took a step back! Only to fall off the stage! In true style I fell onto one of the wires and also knocked and pulled one of the lights with me. I managed to pull myself back up holding onto Nial from the choir. Thankfully I hadn't put Alex off, I was fine, the light was fixed quickly and we all laughed later! My '06 and '07 shows at Red Rocks as well as '07 and '08 shows at Radio City will always be great memories to cherish. I had family in the audience at the Radio City shows two years running. Performing at such a prestigious venue was a dream come true.

Explain the title (of your album), 'Celtic Electricity' .
A solo album had been in the planning for a long time but I wasn't sure exactly which direction to take it and didn't feel quite ready. During my time with Celtic Woman I started to discuss the possibility of an album with David Downes. We came up with the idea of a CD in the classical cross-over genre, drawing upon my Welsh roots. The CD would be Celtic in origin and showcase all my vocal qualities with a patriotic and spiritual feel. The final cut of songs selected are not only because they are beautiful. They also have a major relevance or emotional connection to the last 9 years of Julian. I'm really proud of the finished product that is 'Celtic Electricity.' I wanted the word 'Celtic' in the title as it immediately identifies the album as a world music recording and distinguishes my roots. Celtic alongside 'Electricity' is something ancient and full of history with something modern and new. An aim for the album was to put a modern interpretation and sound on older rooted songs. That's the theory, but in honesty I also just felt that the title was striking! The lyrics of Elton John's song 'Electricity' are truly beautiful and convey something that everyone can relate to. Especially if you have ever been truly passionate about something.

Please describe your music style.
I am a classically trained tenor but made it my priority whilst studying to sing all kinds of music, from rock to opera. I try to adapt my voice to the style of music. I guess you could say the album has a classical cross-over sound with a contemporary feel.

In your debut CD, is there a particular song that is closest you your heart?
I have purposely picked beautiful songs and it's difficult to choose one over another. The arrangement of 'Don't Cry Out Loud/I Honestly Love You' is close to my heart because it reflects a point in my life. 'Nella Fantasia' is a favourite as I simply adore singing it. 'Places' is just a gorgeous song and has grown in significance for me as it's the 'Out of Africa' theme song and I'm currently travelling and working in Africa.

Will we hear any original compositions?
My next album will feature some original and co-written compositions.

How important is music in your daily life? How important do you think music is to people? Do you believe that music can be a source of healing?

Music is all around us at all times. Background noise or the 'soundscape' around us is really music. To me music is incredibly important. Anyone who has ever worked with me or knows me well will know that I am always singing to myself or humming a tune. Sometimes I find myself singing out loud on public transport and everyone is looking at me strangely. I'm unaware that I am singing - it's a habit. Everyone has a huge amount of music in their life even if they don't realise it and some people choose to tap into it more than others. Music without a doubt has the power to reach people. It can carry a message or evoke an emotion. I without a doubt believe that music can be a source of healing. Music therapy is now a course you can study at university. I believe music is actually scientifically proven to help healing. I often play Dido, Nora Jones or John Legend as these recordings have a calming effect on me after a busy day. Sometimes If I am in a bad mood I will shut myself away and sing through some songs. This is my therapy!

What is currently on your Ipod?
I listen to such a wide spectrum of music it's hard to pick. The latest additions to my ipod have been 'Il Divos' latest album and 'Only Men Aloud' (a Welsh choir that won a reality TV show in the UK). I was listening to John Legend's album 'Once Again' earlier today.

What are your plans for 2009?
It's all go at the minute! I have barely been home to my apartment since last October. The plan for 2009 is to concentrate on solo projects and promoting my album. I have decided I need to unpack for a little while (despite currently hardly being home) and base myself out of my London home. I'm exploring the opportunity to visit Africa and over the next few weeks I'm singing on the luxury British Cruise ship the 'Saga Ruby' and visiting countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Namibia and eventually Cape Town. I actually visited a school this week in Sierre Leone and it was a truly life changing experience. I had never been to underdeveloped countries before and I have found it intriguing, heartbreaking and amazing all at the same time. I'm unable to commit to a long tour with Celtic Woman at the beginning of this year. I wish all the cast and crew the best of luck and I will deeply miss everyone but after touring with them since 2006, it's time to take a break. I'm hoping to rejoin the tour at some point in the future. I'm exploring some opportunities to visit the USA this summer in a solo capacity and as soon as anything is confirmed it will be posted on www.juliandavidedwards.com.

You've got some very supportive fans around the world and especially here in the U.S. Anything you'd like to say to them?
As always I would just like the thank everyone that takes an interest in me and my music and for the ongoing support. Please continue to tell people about me and my album and any suggestions for promotion are always welcome at info@juliandavidedwards.com .