Gary Go

With his geek-chic image and heartfelt guitar ballads, London native Gary Go received his big break in 2009, when Take That offered him an opening slot on the group's summer tour. The son of a producer for Jim Henson's The Muppet Show, Gary Baker (who was given the moniker Go by a family friend) grew up within earshot of Wembley Stadium. Influenced by the live music performed there, he began writing songs at the age of eight and taught himself how to play several instruments. After leaving school, he began working at Dave Stewart's recording studio, but following some advice from Peter Gabriel at a job interview, decided to concentrate on his own music. Setting up his own indie label, Canvas Room, he recorded The So So EP, which attracted the attention of a New Jersey producer who invited him to record material at his studio. Inspired by living in the same house where Frank Sinatra grew up, he recorded a second EP, entitled The Diary of Rodney Harvey, before moving back home. Following several showcases in London, Gary Go signed to Decca Records, coincidentally also the home of Peter Gabriel, and supported Amy Macdonald, the Script, and the Feeling on their U.K. tours. Following the success of his debut single, "Wonderful" (number 25), he was personally invited to warm up for Take That on their record-breaking stadium shows. His self-titled debut album appeared in mid-2009. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi