News

Hugh Laurie Signs Record Deal

• 26th Jul 2010

Hugh Laurie, the award-winning actor, writer, director and musician has signed a recorded music deal with Warner Music Entertainment (WME), an imprint of the Warner Music Group. Laurie is the star of Fox’s hit drama series ‘House’, the world’s most-watched TV show, a role which has garnered him two Golden Globes, the People's Choice and Teen Choice for Best Actor, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Television Critics Association Awards and five Emmy nominations.

The agreement will see Laurie release a New Orleans blues album, to be recorded this summer and autumn, and distributed worldwide by Warner Bros Records. He will collaborate with a range of vocal and musical talent on the record with the goal of producing an album with mainstream, international appeal. Joe Henry, the acclaimed two-time Grammy Award winner, will produce the album. Henry has worked with diverse artists such as Teddy Thompson, Solomon Burke, Ani Di Franco, Aimee Mann, Loudon Wainwright III, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. His work on film scores includes ‘I’m Not There’ and ‘Knocked Up’ and he has co-written songs for Madonna and Madeleine Peyroux, amongst others.

Laurie, who has played piano for much of his life, is predominantly self-taught (after creative differences with his childhood teacher) and has sung, performed and written music throughout his career. He is actively involved in the musical content used on ‘House’ and his character Gregory House has played blues piano and guitar regularly on the programme. Hugh is also keyboardist in the ‘Band From TV’ charity group and most recently contributed to a track on Meat Loaf’s latest album, produced by Rob Cavallo.

Hugh Laurie said “I am drunk with excitement at this opportunity. I know the history of actors making music is a checkered one, but I promise no one will get hurt. I am particularly thrilled to be working with Joe Henry, who has produced some of my favourite records of all time, and I can't wait to get started.”

Joe Henry said “All musicians are actors to begin with – our jobs being to embody characters and articulate stories for three and four minutes at a time. I've been a great fan of Hugh's work on screen, and believe purely that he is investing the same wit, intelligence and emotional generosity into his music.”

Conrad Withey, President, Warner Music Entertainment said “I am a huge fan of all Hugh’s work and have enjoyed his musicianship on ‘House’ and in many other shows over the years. The world already knows how wonderfully versatile and talented Hugh is so this first album is an exciting opportunity to put the spotlight on his passion for New Orleans blues.

Hugh is exactly the kind of artist that WME enjoys working with. We look forward to building on the incredible success Hugh has had in ‘House’ with a music project that will establish Hugh at the top of his game in a new artistic arena.”