British in New York
Mark Ronson Englishman in New York
Newcomer Ronson is nominated for three prizes at the Brit Awards
DJ and producer Mark Ronson was drumming by the time he was five. This was when he still lived in London. He moved across the pond to New York City when he was 8 but retained his British character. While living in New York he met up with Sean Lennon who has remained one of his best mates. It is surprising to discover that such a British lad has Russian-Lithuanian and Austrian ancestry from his parents.
Ronson attended Vassar College and New York University. But before that he had been playing in a band since the age of 14. His inspiration comes from artists like:
Quincy Jones
Nigel Goldrich
David Bowie
Stevie Wonder
By the time Mark Ronson started spinning discs at the age of 18 he was firmly entrenched in his creative ability. This had been helped along by his musician step-father Mick Jones. His dad is, of course, the guitarist of Foreigner. The witty and scathing Anne Dexter-Jones is his mother. Ronson has solid ties to family and tradition. This is displayed in his observance of Yom Kippur which he regards as important.
It was announced that DJ Mark Ronson is nominated for three 2008 Brit Awards. The Brit Awards will be held on 20 February 2008 at Earls Court. The show will be televised from 8 p.m. Ronson will be performing along with other artists. The categories he is nominated in are as follows:
Best British Male Artist
Best British Single for Valerie
Best British Album for Version
Mark has said that his favourite band is Radiohead, describing them as his first eureka! album . His cover of their song Just was originally released in 2006. It is now re-released, since Britain allows records to be released twice on different labels. Ronson is happy about the double release of his personal favourite.
As for the Brit Awards, Ronson has promised that there will be lots of special moments. He wants to make sure that it is a great show for everyone. As far as he is concerned it is a big deal. Mark says he has never been requested to do anything at this level and so it has to be excellent. He is working to impress all the Brit Awards fans as well as himself.
This British artist says that he is not hugely famous. He can walk around the street of London and New York and hardly be recognized. He does think this is rather cool as it gives him a chance to get used to the idea of his name being known. He does admit to being taken by surprise at his rise over the past two years. Another reminder of this is his new single to be released on 18 February.
