SN9|Ep476 - Debbie Wileman - Singer -Judy Garland 100 Year Birthday Tribute Album ”I’m Still Here”

My Very Special Guest Today is Debbie Wileman - Her debut Album is "I'm Still Here" featuring many of Judy’s classics as well as other contemporary hits that she believes Judy would be singing today. The album was orchestrated, conducted and produced by Steve Orich, orchestrator of the Grammy Award Winning album, Jersey Boys. This is a story for all of you artists out there who have a dream, but are overwhelmed by the seemingly massive obstacles to overcome to reach those dreams Debbie Wileman rose to fame during the pandemic when all the creatives - got creative! Debbie used her instrument (her voice) as an outlet and created ‘a song a day’ which simply were videos of her dressed in character and singing. The videos were posted on her personal Facebook page and were only intended to uplift and inspire her friends in the height of the pandemic (at the time it was 300 some odd friends) Now she nearing max capacity on a personal page! Anywho, back then, she pledged to post 'a song a day' - That went on for 100 consecutive days. Among these videos were her spot on Judy Garland impersonations (in addition to Dusty Springfield, Patsy Cline, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey, Adele, Lady Gaga and many other luminaries). Her song a day videos went viral and garnered over 1 million hits in no time. The videos also caught the attention of Steve Orich, the Grammy Award winning orchestrator (Jersey Boys) and manager / promoter/ producer, Scott Stander. The two of them have produced Debbie’s debut album, "I’m Still Here”, a Judy Garland celebratory album featuring her songs and songs that they felt Judy would sing today. Debbie recorded “Over the Rainbow' in the very same room at MGM Studios that Garland recorded in 84 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR03zR5IUyk The album released on June 10th, what would have been Garland’s 100th Birthday. She also embarked on a 5 city US tour including stops in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York City (Carnegie Hall!), Provincetown, MA and ending in LA. She always sang but never pursued a career as she put her family first. Now that a Grammy Award winning orchestrator and manager went knocking on her door, she has an album and just finished a US tour. Talk about the power of social media! She is thrilled to be taking this leap of faith. Debbie Wileman is a 38 year-old suburban mum living in North Essex, England with her husband and four-year old daughter. She has also become a social media singing sensation during the global pandemic, capturing world-wide attention as a Judy Garland phenomenon. Debbie new album, I'm Still Here, conducted and produced by Grammy Award Winner Steve Orich, and Executive Produced by Scott Stander, debuted on June 10, 2022, on Judy’s 100th Birthday. Debbie on Social: Facebook: facebook.com/debbie.saloman Instagram: @debwileman/ The new album has reached #2 on easy listening chart! “I had the pleasure of listening to Debbie Wileman’s homage to Judy. All I can say is Judy would have loved Debbie. She has captured Judy’s musical essence along with her love of lyrics. This is a beautiful tribute to the late, great Judy Garland.” - Carol Burnett “I didn’t realize how much I would have loved to hear Judy Garland sing “Defying Gravity” until Debbie Wileman and Steve Orich made it possible!” - Stephen Schwartz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices