Boy band signs £1million deal

A WARRINGTON teacher is part of a “boy band” that has just signed a £1 million record deal.
Tenor Alan Hughes is part of one of the most original forms of boy band – a barbershop quartet. It has just signed to Sony Music’s Arista records, the home of two of the best-selling boy bands ever, N-Sync and Backstreet Boys.
Alan is part of The Great British Barbershop Boys, who have a unique deal that will see them receive an extra £1 million pound “tip” when the album sells platinum.
The Great British Barbershop Boys said they started singing as a way of socialising and are “amazed” by the deal.
Their debut album “Christmas Time” will be released on December 6. It is a collection of classic Christmas songs rearranged to suit the unique barbershop sound.
The band members are all from the north and were spotted when they represented the UK at the International Barbershop Convention in Philadelphia, after being named British Quartet champions in 2008.
Other members are lead Zac Booles, baritone Joe Knight and bass Duncan Blackeby.
Alan said, “We are so excited to release our first album. the barbershop sound has survived around the world but underground for years. It will be superb to see it make a proper comeback in the charts.”
Richard Connell, general manger Arista Records, said: “The barbershop quartet really is the origin of what we know today as the ‘boy-band.’ It’s a wonderful tradition, rich in rules and regulations but above all hugely encouraging of creativity and collaboration.
“Communities literally come together around their local quartet where lifelong bonds of friendship and loyalty are formed.”
Pictured (left to right): Alan Hughes, Zac Booles, Duncan Blackeby and Joe Knight.