It’s All About experience…

James McCann’s Olly Murs tribute act is the culmination of an entire career spent in entertainment.  Combining singing, acting and audience participation, James’ experience ensures a fantastic interactive evening for your party or venue.

Since boarding Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Prince as a children’s entertainer in 1999, James has had a long and varied career in the entertainment industry.

Immediately realising that he wanted to remain upon the sea, he lobbied for a full time role and became a DJ host, entertaining in the shipboard nightclub. Promotions to bigger ships and more senior roles culminated in James becoming Assistant Cruise Director of the fleet’s then latest vessel, The Braemar in 2002.

It was then that James was diagnosed with diabetes, a condition which precluded him from working at sea. Although a massive blow at the time, it has inspired his upcoming novel #spotted and he now reflects on just how lucky he was to see Europe, the Caribbean, South America and Africa; at least the areas with a coastline. He is in no way bitter that he didn’t manage to see more or sail into Sydney Harbour. No. Not at all.

Back on land, James auditioned for and landed a vocalist role at Valley Farm Holiday Park, in Clacton, working for Park Resorts. In his first full season as a singer, he performed in production shows and began building his own sets. When summer was over, he won the part of Lumiere in the Panto Company’s production of Beauty & The Beast. 

A tour of South Wales’ finest venues (and the Gurnos Social Club) didn’t dampen his spirits and he stayed with the company, performing in Cinderella, Goldilocks & The Three Bears and many more shows before progressing to writing and directing. During the production of Robinson Crusoe, James proposed to his girlfriend Lisa (playing Princess Moonflower) in front of over 2,500 people. She said yes and they married the following Bonfire night. 

Together James and Lisa managed Amble Links Holiday Park, singing new sets for the caravan owners every week and building a massive repertoire of songs. They were also responsible for writing, directing, choreographing (Lisa) shows for Clarach Bay Holiday Village, MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resort and several Center Parcs resorts. 

In the midst of all this, James featured in twenty-six episodes of Bubble & Squeak, a Nick Jr programme aimed at pre-schoolers. Each week he played different character, including a dog-phobic postman, a surly popstar and a clumsy wedding guest. As you are no doubt gathering, in many ways, James is like Sir Laurence Olivier.  

In 2007 their first child was born and James and Lisa decided to settle down in West Yorkshire. Not wanting to leave the industry behind (but not wanting to spend weeks in hotels with a baby) they set up wedding entertainment business Get Wed. Alongside owning, running and teaching at Limelight Theatre School, James now spends every weekend at weddings and other functions, singing, DJing and entertaining varied audiences.

So now you’re up to date! To see what James can bring to your event or venue, simply get in touch.