Tony Dawson-Harrison

Captain Hollywood Project
Background information
Also known as	Captain Hollywood The Pioneer of Eurodance
Origin	Nuremberg, Germany
Genres	Eurodance
Years active	1992–1996, 2008-Present
Labels	Intercord,Blow Up Records Yes Music
Associated acts	Twenty 4 Seven
Website	http://captainhollywood.de
Members	Tony Dawson-Harrison Shirin Von Gehlen (aka Shirin Amour)

Captain Hollywood Project is a famous ‘90s Eurodance music project and live touring act best known for the ground breaking crossover world hits “More and More," "Only with You" and "Flying High." At the peak of its success in the '90s, the project itself achieved over 20 million in worldwide record sales and 10 Top-20 hits on European music charts. The project was first formed in 1990 in Nuremberg, Germany by rapper/singer, dancer and music producer Tony Dawson-Harrison (aka Captain Hollywood). When first naming the project, Harrison chose the name "Captain Hollywood Project" in order to distinguish his new music for the project from his previous music. He also chose the name to give himself the creative freedom as executive producer to involve any singer, songwriter or producer of his choice when producing each of the new songs for the project. Even though the act has been widely viewed as a one-man act starring Harrison as the rapper/frontman; a talented ensemble of female backup singers, dancers and backing musicians have traditionally been included in the act by Harrison. Today, the Captain Hollywood Project is recognized as a live performing duo act starring Harrison and singer/dancer Shirin von Gehlen (aka Shirin Amour) as the project's new lead singer. Together with their band of live musicians and dancers, Harrison and von Gehlen perform the Captain Hollywood Project hits year-round at concert venues in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Russia and Australia.

Prior to creating the Captain Hollywood Project in 1990, creator Tony Dawson-Harrison (aka Captain Hollywood) was already a well known public figure, dancer, choreographer and music star in Europe. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Harrison originally gained his famous stage name in 1982 while stationed in Germany as a U.S. Army Captain. During his off-duty hours, he would entertain his military friends on base by doing impressive street dance moves in his Captain uniform. As a result, his fellow officers nicknamed him ‘Hollywood’ and later ‘Captain Hollywood.’ Harrison's career began in 1983 after his famous television debut as ‘Captain Hollywood’ on the German music chart television show . For his guest appearance on the show, he did a three minute body popping dance routine to the classic Jonzun Crew song ‘Pack Jam.' His appearance the show drew in massive record breaking ratings for Germany’s ARD television network upon its airing and became Germany's first ever exposure to street dance. Because of Europe's complete lack of exposure to breakdancing and street dance styles from America, Harrison's quickly gained credit for being the first American to introduce street dance and breakdancing in Germany and all of Europe. When his active military duty ended in 1983, he relocated to Germany and worked as the lead dance choreographer on Formel Eins.

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