Waylon (singer)
| Waylon | |
|---|---|
Waylon (2014)
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Willem Bijkerk |
| Born |
20 April 1980 Apeldoorn, Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals, drums, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Associated acts | The Common Linnets, Santa Rosa, Millstreet |
| Website | waylon |
Waylon (born Willem Bijkerk; 20 April 1980 in Apeldoorn) is a Dutch singer. His stage name came from the name of his idol Waylon Jennings. He represented the Netherlands with Ilse DeLange as The Common Linnets at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, finishing in second place in the final.
Bijkerk started his career in 1995 singing in the television program Telekids where he sang the chorus of the song "Harry Stallion."
From childhood, he was inspired by country music and he played the drums with the band West Virginian Railroad. He was signed in 1997 by EMI and went to Nashville to record an album. The album was never completed. In 2001, he lived and worked for a year in the United States where he also performed with his idol, Waylon Jennings. After Jennings died in 2002, Bijkerk returned to the Netherlands.
Bijkerk talent was further developed with Lisa Boray. After returning from the United States, he joined the cover band Santa Rosa. He also sang in the band Millstreet.
In 2005, Bijkerk and Rachel Kramer performed as the duo Rachel & Waylon in the preliminary rounds of the National Song Contest with the song "Leven als een beest."
Bijkerk took part in the first season of Holland's Got Talent on SBS 6 in 2008. He auditioned with the song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown. He received positive feedback from jurors Henkjan Smits and Patricia Paay. Bijkerk reached the final and finished second.
A year later, Universal Music signed Bijkerk as the first Dutchman to the Motown label. His first single, "Wicked Way", was released on August 7, 2009, as a preview of the album Wicked Ways, released later that month. "Wicked Way" reached the top 10 in the Dutch Top 40 charts.
...
Wikipedia