Kiwi mum knocks Justin Bieber off chart spot

Kiwi mum knocks Justin Bieber off chart spot

Christchurch mum Janice Bateman has knocked teen sensation Justin Bieber off his music chart spot with her debut album HERE I AM.

In its first week, Here I Am – featuring 10 beautiful songs – has charted at No. 13 ... the spot occupied by Bieber last week!

Janice proved age was no barrier to making a chart debut. At the tender age of 49, making an album was a lifelong ambition. She was just 13 (four years younger than Justin is now) when she made her TV debut on Opportunity Knocks but opportunity didn’t coming knocking until 36 years later in the form of a philanthropist she met in a park. With his help, she has turned her talent into a chart topper!

Here I Am was produced by No.8 Group UK and is being distributed by EMI in New Zealand.

HERE I AM is a collection of 10 beautiful songs including Here I am, And I Love You So, Tears In Heaven, I’d Rather Leave While I’m in love, Words and L.O.V.E. – songs Janice holds dear to her heart.

“I hope it touches people’s hearts and that they get as much from listening to the album as I did recording it,” beams Janice. “And remember follow your heart reach for the stars and never give up!”

Janice discovered her talent for singing as a 10-year-old when she began lessons and in turn her talent was discovered by TV producers keen to share her beautiful voice with their New Zealand audiences.

As a 13-year-old, she appeared on Opportunity Knocks as well as the Ray Columbus-hosted New Faces variety show. By 14 she’d become a TV regular, performing on such entertainment shows as Smile. Christchurch born and raised, Janice pursued her passion for musical theatre, landing pivotal roles in productions including Chicago playing Roxie Hart.

She was to become a regular at the Court Theatre in Christchurch, finding herself in productions including Roger Halls Love off the Shelf, Stephen Sondheim’s Side by Side by Sondheim and the supercharged Princess Winifred in Once upon a Mattress,

Over the years Janice has also performed as a guest artist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra including the Andrew Lloyd Webber series .

In addition to this impressive catalogue of work, Janice has voiced several characters in the children’s Bumble series as seen on TV2.

No.8 Records managing director Nathan Graves says he’s delighted to have been able to been part of this inspirational project.

“Janice has a beautiful voice and the time is right for her to share it with all of New Zealand again.”

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