Amy Victoria Wadge (born 22 December 1975) is a British singer-songwriter based in Wales but originally from Bristol. She has co-written tracks with Ed Sheeran, including his hit song "Thinking Out Loud" for which she won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Contents 1 Early life and musical beginnings 2 Career 2.1 Songwriting 2.2 Solo performer 3 Personal life 4 Discography 4.1 Songwriting 4.2 Albums 4.3 Singles 4.4 DVDs 5 References 6 External links Early life and musical beginnings

Wadge was born and brought up in Backwell, a small village just outside Bristol, England. Her father's passion for music influenced her enormously, and on the subject of her paternal influences she has said that she "grew up listening to early Elton John, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. That was the stuff I cut my teeth on and now I listen to everything you can possibly imagine from hip hop to country".[1] This wide range of influences, nurtured in her from an early age, can be heard throughout her body of work. She began to write her own songs at the age of 9 on the family piano. When she was 11, her parents bought her her first guitar from a junk shop. It was when Wadge taught herself to play along to Tracy Chapman's debut album that she discovered her affinity for the guitar, which became the driving force of her career.

While still at school, Wadge regularly gigged around Bristol's numerous celebrated music venues, and determined that performing was what she wanted to spend her life doing. At the age of 14, she signed her first record deal with her band Two of a Mind. She released her first single at the age of 16.[2]

Career Songwriting

Apart from writing songs for herself, Wadge has been active in collaborating with new performers in Britain, most notably Ed Sheeran. Wadge and Sheeran collaborated on a number of songs together, and Sheeran titled his self-released 2010 EP Songs I Wrote with Amy. One track was included with the deluxe edition of Sheeran's album +.[3] Wadge continues her collaborative relationship with Sheeran in 2014. The single "Thinking Out Loud", written on a guitar given to Sheeran, features on the album x.[4] She has also written with Lewis Watson, with tracks "Halo" and "Sink or Swim" appearing on the album The Morning (All of the Songs), and she has collaborated with Shannon Saunders, Anna Pancaldi and numerous other notable artists. She wrote and performed the songs for the soundtrack of the BBC Wales series 'Keeping Faith' in 2018 (Keeping Faith (TV series)).

Solo performer

Having moved to Wales and graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Wadge started performing at open mic sessions in Cardiff's Toucan Club and soon started developing a fanbase and gaining critical recognition. She was quickly spotted and received encouragement from some of the big players in the city, among them Manics/Catatonia/Super Furry Animals producer Greg Haver, who recorded her debut mini-album, The Famous Hour. This album "brought her more attention and acclaim", and the BBC invited her to launch the digital radio station BBC 6 Music along with Lenny Kravitz and Stereophonics.[5]

In 2002, Wadge won "Best Female Solo Act" at the annual Welsh Music Awards, ahead of Charlotte Church. In 2003, she toured Australia with the Welsh Rugby Team during the Rugby World Cup with the song "Adre Nôl". Later that year, she retained her "Best Female Solo Act" at the Welsh Music Awards.

2004 saw her release her first full album, WOJ (a play on her surname, which is often mispronounced), to critical acclaim. In June 2004, she performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on a bill that included Jeff Beck and Jan Hammer, charted by Billboard magazine as one of the world's top-grossing concerts of the summer.[6]

2006 saw the release of Wadge's second album, No Sudden Moves. The album includes a cover of the Manic Street Preachers single A Design for Life. 2008 saw the release of her third album, Bump, which (according to her own sleeve notes) was recorded over two days when she was 8 months pregnant. It includes a cover of "Don't Leave Me This Way" (originally recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and later covered by The Communards).

On Monday 2 November 2009, Wadge released her new single "Hold Me" with new record label, Choice Music. She also released a Welsh version of the track ("Dal Fi") which was a fundraiser for her daughter's Ysgol Feithrin (Welsh nursery school), with 20p from the sale of every Welsh language download being donated to Mudiad Meithrin, a Welsh language nursery organisation.[7]

2010 and 2011 saw Wadge work with Pete Riley. They released a CD (Rivers Apart), as well as two live DVDs, and they toured extensively together.[8]

Personal life

Wadge is married to actor Alun ap Brinley. She lives in Wales and is currently learning Welsh. Her single "USA? We'll Wait and See" was released in both English and Welsh.[9]

She also occasionally presents shows on BBC Radio Wales. She presented "Suck It and See", a programme about the harmonica on BBC Radio 4.

Discography Songwriting Wonder Woman , Kacey Musgraves, Amy Wadge, Hillary Lindsey, Jesse Frasure (Universal) Consequences, Camila Cabello, Amy Wadge, Nicole Galyon, Emily Weisband (SYCO, EPIC RECORDS) Radio On, Kylie Minogue, Amy Wadge, John Green, BMG Sincerely Yours, Kylie Minogue, Amy Wadge, Jessie Frasure, BMG Rollin', Kylie Minogue, Amy Wadge, Sky Adams Every Little Part of Me, Kylie Minogue, Amy Wadge,Sky Adams, BMG Parallel Line, Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, Amy Wadge, Johnny Mcdaid, Julia Michaels, Benjamin Levin, Capitol Nashville Hollow Hallelujah, Dan Tyminski, Amy Wadge,Jessie Frasure, Sarah Buxton, Mercury Nashville Galway Girl, Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran Limited, Sony/ATV), Amy Wadge, John McDaid (Spirit B-Unique/Polar Patrol), Foy Vance(Foy Vance Songs/Primary Wave Vance Music), Damien McKee, Sean Grahan, Liam Bradley, Eamon Murray, Niamh Dunne (Copyright control) Save Myself, Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran Limited, Sony/ATV), Amy Wadge, Timothy Lee McKenzie (BMG Rights Management) Nancy Mulligan, Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran Limited, Sony/ATV), Amy Wadge, John McDaid (Spirit B-Unique/Polar Patrol), Foy Vance(Foy Vance Songs/Primary Wave Vance Music, Benjamin Levin (Please Don’t Forget To Pay Me Music), Murray Cummings (Universal / MCA Music Ltd) Barcelona, Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran Limited, Sony/ATV), Amy Wadge, John McDaid (Spirit B-Unique/Polar Patrol), Foy Vance(Foy Vance Songs/Primary Wave Vance Music, Benjamin Levin (Please Don’t Forget To Pay Me Music) I Don't Know, Molly Kate Kestner, Amy Wadge, Starsmith, Atlantic Records Paradise, James Blunt (EMI Music Publishing Ltd), Amy Wadge 2005,James Blunt (EMI Music Publishing Ltd) Steve Mac (Rokstone Music Universal Music Publishing Limited), James Blount (EMI Music Publishing Ltd), Amy Wadge Stay my love, Una Foden (Copyright Control), Amy Wadge, Decca All You Ever Need is love, Una Foden (Copyright Control), Amy Wadge, Decca Craving You, Una Foden (Copyright Control), Amy Wadge, Decca Broken, Fred Cox (Perfect Songs / BMG), Zak Abel (Copyright Control), Atlantic Record UK Stay My Love, Una Healy (featuring Sam Palladio), The Waiting Game, 2017, Co-written, Decca When Christmas Comes Around, Matt Terry, X Factor Winners’ Single, 2016, Co-written with Ed Sheeran, Simco Stand In The Rain, Jessarae, 2016, Co-written, Island Records Love to Grow Old, Max Jury, Numb, 2016, Co Written Marathon Records Start Again, Birdy, Beautiful Lies Deluxe Edition 2016 Co Written, Atlantic Records End of the Line, The Shires, My Universe, Deluxe Edition, 2016, Co Written, Decca Don’t let me let you go, Jamie Lawson, Jamie Lawson, 2015 Co -written, Pawprint /Atlantic Records Let myself try, Jasmine Thompson, Adore EP, 2015 Co Written, Atlantic Records Slamming Doors, Ben Haenow, Ben Haenow, 2015 Co Written, Sony BMG Make it Back to Me, Ben Haenow, Ben Haenow, 2015 Co Written, Song BMG Thinking Out Loud, (Single), 2014, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Asylum/Atlantic Records Thinking Out Loud, x, 2014, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Asylum/Atlantic Records Even My Dad Does Sometimes, x, (Deluxe Edition), 2014, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Asylum/Atlantic Records Halo, Morning, 2014, Lewis Watson, Co-written, Warner Sink or Swim, Morning, 2014, Lewis Watson, Co-written, Warner Bodies and Beats, 2014, Shannon Saunders, Co-Written, with Eg White, Caroline Comfortably Alone, 2014, Shannon Saunders, Co-Written, Caroline Scars, (Single), 2012, Shannon Saunders, Co-written, Independent release Sink or Swim, Another Four Sad Songs, (EP), 2012, Lewis Watson, Co-written, Warner Once Before, Another Four Sad Songs, (EP), 2012, Lewis Watson, Co-written, Warner Gold Rush, + (Deluxe Edition), 2011, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Asylum/Atlantic Records Fall, The A Team, US Release, 2011, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Asylum/Atlantic Records Cold Coffee, 2011, Ed Sheeran, (Download single), Co-written, Sheeran/Locke/Asylum/Atlantic Records Songs I Wrote with Amy, (5 Track EP) 2010, Ed Sheeran, Co-written, Sheeran/Locke/Asylum/Atlantic Records Open, (Ft. Ryan Ashley), Cyril Hahn, 2014, Co-Written, PMR Records Albums The Famous Hour (mini-album) (2002) – FF Vinyl WOJ (2004) – Manhattan Records No Sudden Moves (2006) – Manhattan Records Bump (2008) – Amy Wadge Records Acoustig (2009) Rivers Apart (2010) – with Pete Riley Afterglow (2012) – with Pete Riley Amy Wadge (2016) Singles "The Great Pretender" (1992) "Saddest Eyes" (2001) – FF Vinyl "Just in Time" (2004) – Manhattan Records "USA? We'll wait and see.../USA, oes angen mwy...?" (2005) – Manhattan Records "A Design for Life" (2005) – Manhattan Records "Hold Me" (2009) – Choice Music DVDs Amy Wadge 'Live' Mini DVD (2006) – Manhattan Records Amy Wadge and Pete Riley, Live at Acapela DVD (2010) Rivers Apart DVD Amy Wadge and Pete Riley (2011) References ^ Wadge, Amy (18 March 2014). ""A Real Muso's Gig!" – Amy Wadge Interview". Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.  ^ Amy Wadge, Maverick ^ Wadge, Amy (17 February 2012). "Wales Music: Amy Wadge: My role in Ed Sheeran's success". BBC. Retrieved 8 March 2012.  ^ Wadge, Amy (30 June 2014). "How I wrote Ed Sheeran's song...On Harry Styles' guitar". WalesOnline. Retrieved 30 July 2014.  ^ Amy Wadge, BBC Wales ^ Billboard. Vol. 116, No. 30. Neilsen Business Media, Inc. 24 July 2004. p. 19. ISSN 0006-2510.  ^ "Wadge to release Single in Welsh". WalesOnline.  ^ Amy Wadge and Pete Riley Archived 21 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine., Moneypenny Agency ^ Pontypridd-based singer mum Amy Wadge gets back on the road to avoid stage fright, WalesOnline External links Official Amy Wadge website vteGrammy Award for Song of the Year1959−1980 "Volare" – Domenico Modugno (songwriter) (1959) "The Battle of New Orleans" – Jimmy Driftwood (songwriter) (1960) "Theme from Exodus" – Ernest Gold (songwriter) (1961) "Moon River" – Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini (songwriters) (1962) "What Kind of Fool Am I?" – Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley (songwriters) (1963) "Days of Wine and Roses" – Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini (songwriters) (1964) "Hello, Dolly!" – Jerry Herman (songwriter) (1965) "The Shadow of Your Smile" – Paul Francis Webster & Johnny Mandel (songwriters) (1966) "Michelle" – John Lennon & Paul McCartney (songwriters) (1967) "Up, Up, and Away" – Jimmy Webb (songwriter) (1968) "Little Green Apples" – Bobby Russell (songwriter) (1969) "Games People Play" – Joe South (songwriter) (1970) "Bridge over Troubled Water" – Paul Simon (songwriter) (1971) "You've Got a Friend" – Carole King (songwriter) (1972) "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" – Ewan MacColl (songwriter) (1973) "Killing Me Softly with His Song" – Norman Gimbel & Charles Fox (songwriters) (1974) "The Way We Were" – Alan and Marilyn Bergman & Marvin Hamlisch (songwriters) (1975) "Send In the Clowns" – Stephen Sondheim (songwriter) (1976) "I Write the Songs" – Bruce Johnston (songwriter) (1977) "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" – Barbra Streisand & Paul Williams (songwriters) / "You Light Up My Life" – Joe Brooks (songwriter) (1978) "Just the Way You Are" – Billy Joel (songwriter) (1979) "What a Fool Believes" – Kenny Loggins & Michael McDonald (songwriters) (1980) 1981−2000 "Sailing" – Christopher Cross (songwriter) (1981) "Bette Davis Eyes" – Donna Weiss & Jackie DeShannon (songwriters) (1982) "Always on My Mind" – Johnny Christopher, Mark James & Wayne Carson (songwriters) (1983) "Every Breath You Take" – Sting (songwriter) (1984) "What's Love Got to Do with It" – Graham Lyle & Terry Britten (songwriters) (1985) "We Are the World" – Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie (songwriters) (1986) "That's What Friends Are For" – Burt Bacharach & Carole Bayer Sager (songwriters) (1987) "Somewhere Out There" – James Horner, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (songwriters) (1988) "Don't Worry, Be Happy" – Bobby McFerrin (songwriter) (1989) "Wind Beneath My Wings" – Larry Henley & Jeff Silbar (songwriters) (1990) "From a Distance" – Julie Gold (songwriter) (1991) "Unforgettable" – Irving Gordon (songwriter) (1992) "Tears in Heaven" – Eric Clapton & Will Jennings (songwriters) (1993) "A Whole New World" – Alan Menken & Tim Rice (songwriters) (1994) "Streets of Philadelphia" – Bruce Springsteen (songwriter) (1995) "Kiss from a Rose" – Seal (songwriter) (1996) "Change the World" – Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick & Tommy Sims (songwriters) (1997) "Sunny Came Home" – Shawn Colvin & John Leventhal (songwriters) (1998) "My Heart Will Go On" – James Horner & Will Jennings (songwriters) (1999) "Smooth" – Itaal Shur & Rob Thomas (songwriters) (2000) 2001−present "Beautiful Day" – Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen & Paul Hewson (songwriters) (2001) "Fallin'" – Alicia Keys (songwriter) (2002) "Don't Know Why" – Jesse Harris (songwriter) (2003) "Dance with My Father" – Richard Marx & Luther Vandross (songwriters) (2004) "Daughters" – John Mayer (songwriter) (2005) "Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own" – Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen & Paul Hewson (songwriters) (2006) "Not Ready to Make Nice" – Emily Burns Erwin, Martha Maguire, Natalie Maines Pasdar & Dan Wilson (songwriters) (2007) "Rehab" – Amy Winehouse (songwriter) (2008) "Viva la Vida" – Guy Berryman, Jonathan Buckland, William Champion & Christopher Martin (songwriters) (2009) "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart (songwriters) (2010) "Need You Now" – Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott (songwriters) (2011) "Rolling in the Deep" – Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth (songwriters) (2012) "We Are Young" – Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess (songwriters) (2013) "Royals" – Joel Little & Ella Yelich O'Connor (songwriters) (2014) "Stay with Me" (Darkchild version) – James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith (songwriters) (2015) "Thinking Out Loud" – Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge (songwriters) (2016) "Hello" – Adele Adkins & Greg Kurstin (songwriters) (2017) "That's What I Like" – Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip (songwriters) (2018)