Brandon October
Brandon Steve October (born May 30, 1977) is a South African pop singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after being runner-up in the first season of the reality television show, South African Pop Idols.
Early Life
Brandon October was born in Cape Town at Groote Schuur Hospital - home of the world's first heart transplant.
A third generation Jamaican, he was surrounded by a family of singers.
MusicAL background
As a child, Brandon listened to a considerable amount of Classical music, and one of his early influences was the Maestro Luciano Pavarotti.
Evidence of his singing talent was evident from an early age and very soon he was performing vocal solos in church. He then went on to perform with various choirs and quartets in which he gained more experience. Thereafter he sang first tenor with a gospel group called From The Heart Singers and spent 5 years with the group touring around South Africa. He then moved to Johannesburg and joined a four piece gospel group called No Compromise.
While singing for No Compromise a work colleague entered him in the South Africa version of Pop Idol.
Musical Influences
Brandon's musical influences are diverse and range from the smooth sounds of 50's star Johnny Mathis to the more raunchy rock vocals of Freddie Mercury, Opera and classical music. It's this varied BLEND of singers and musical styles that have created and forged Brandon's sound. A sound that's at first tender and fragile then erupting into raunchy rock.
Boasting a three octave range in full voice is something he laughs off, humbly he says: 'What I do, others do too. As singers/entertainers/songwriters we're here to inspire, unplift, entertain and encourage through our performances and songs'. 'I was blessed with a special gift and it's my responsibility to make full use of that gift,' he says with a smile.
Career
While living in Cape Town, Brandon October once worked as a lifesaver.
Prior to his appearance on Pop Idol in 2002, Brandon October had made a career in advertising, and was working in Johannesburg as an advertising company designer and art director. At the time of Pop Idol, he stated in an interview that his career ambition was to own his own advertising agency.
Pop Idol SA 2002
Brandon October first appeared on television as an entrant to the South African Pop Idol show in 2002. He made an instant impression on the judges, both for his looks and his singing voice. He was beaten in the final by 580,000 votes (37.82% to 40.21% ) by Heinz Winckler.
A row over the result erupted in the South African press, with accusations of racism and vote rigging. Although the vote had been close, many commentators felt that the winner -who was white - had turned in a substantially poorer performance than the runner up - who was black.
Post Pop Idol
Brandon October appeared on a compilation album Idols: The Album, released by Marcus Brewer, producer of Pop Idol. He gained a recording contract with BMG Africa, and his first album Temptation released in October 2003, was nominated for a 2004 SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album. Three singles off the album also achieved chart-topping status at both national and regional radio in South Africa.
Personal Life
Brandon October has a son, Storm, by a former partner. This was the subject of some comment at the time of Pop Idol 2002, where another Contestant was also criticised for having a child out of wedlock.
Discography
2004. Temptation CD
2006. Idols Christmas Album
2006. Skouspel CD
2006. Skouspel DVD
2007. Daar Waar Liefde Staan CD
2007. Kaapse Jol CD
2007. Skouspel CD
2007. Skouspel DVD