Romanian orphan overcomes adversity to head for stardom
TALENTED Wetherby singer, Christian Frew, tragically lost his best friend in a car accident last year. But, despite, such a loss, he's found personal strength through music. Nina Swift reports.
THE YOUNG up and coming singing star Cristian Frew has been through more than most.
Born in Romania to a seriously ill mother, Cristian was sent as a small baby to one of the country’s many overcrowded orphanages.
He was one of the tens of thousands of Romanian orphans who were kept in deplorable conditions – scenes revealed to the world when Romania’s dictator of more than 21 years, Nicolae Ceausescu, and his wife Elena were shot by firing squad propelling the country into a new era.
Following this key moment in Eastern European history Cristian was adopted by the Frew family from Wetherby - Ken, Ann and their daughter Nikki.
However, Cristian did not emerge completely unscathed from his formative years. Through illness as a baby, Cristian’s hearing is affected - although this does not stop him having perfect pitch.
Cristian has always been interested in music and sung in Wetherby’s St James’s church choir and St Aidan’s School choir.
He was also lead singer with the group Panic Frenzy, in which his best friend Michael Tempest played drums.
When he was just 14-years-old Cristian set up CAF, his own mobile disco business.
He said: “Music was my passion. My dad said ‘why don’t you set up your own company?’ - so I did. I did a free gig for someone and it escalated.
“I started introducing karaoke into the business which went down a treat. I sang a few songs myself during the intervals and I got good feedback off people which boosted my confidence. I then started to do a 45 minute cabaret slot.”
However, his growing success was put on hold when tragically his best friend Michael was killed in a car accident along with Wetherby teenagers Oliver Cross and Thomas Dunn in December 2006.
Cristian struggled to cope. “I just couldn’t hack it over here,” he said. “I stopped doing everything for months. I was at the stage where I wasn’t eating, drinking or anything and found it difficult to hold down a job. Neither was I able to stay with Panic Frenzy, when it reformed, without Michael on the drums.
“I needed to get away so I decided to go to Spain to a house owned by my parents in Villamartin, Costa Blanca, with the promise of a job as a DJ in a disco.”
As Cristian found it difficult to sing with the reformed pop group, his parents, who recognised his considerable singing talent, booked a session with a recording studio in Spain called Vegetable Market Studios.
They thought that it would help him to move forward. He spent a week in the recording studio and several long days mixing the final CD.
Cristian said: “ It was the best experience I have ever had in my life. It was amazing, I felt really important. Everyone was there to help me.”
The recording session produced Cristian’s first CD of 13 covers. The CD called 'heart & soul' contains songs including Angels by Robbie Williams, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, Burning Love by Elvis and My Way by Frank Sinatra. His versatility means he can lend his voice to any singing style.
Cristian said both he and his parents were extremely pleased with the outcome of the recording.
The CD was released in Spain on December 18 where he has won rave reviews from the Spanish music industry, ex-pat radio stations and local papers. He was described by one radio station as the "hottest talent on the Costas".
Work has been pouring in for the summer season and his dad, who is now managing him, has had to be selective on the gigs they sign up to.
He has also shot a music video and a website is being prepared, which will follow later in the year.
Cristian recently returned to Wetherby to do some gigs and he performed a number of songs from his CD at Harris’s wine bar last month.
He said: “It was emotional when I sang Chasing Cars as it was Michael’s favourite song.”
Cristian said Michael would be extremely proud of his growing achievements in the world of music.
He said: “The day before the accident we were talking about our band, Panic Frenzy. He was telling me how much of a good singer I was and said he would love me to keep going with it.
“I would never let him down with my singing. His words continue to boost me more each day.”
Cristian said music got him through the trauma of losing Michael. “I don’t think there is anything better and it is just all starting to happen,” he said. “I never thought I would get to this stage and I’m just going to take each day as it comes.
“I thank my mum and dad with all my heart. They have brought me through to this. My dad is managing me and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be doing half the things I’m doing.
“It’s been a long journey for me but singing has made me happy and I find it very satisfying. I strongly believe Michael is watching over me. He is still giving me the strength.”
Cristian is currently in the middle of his brief return visit to Wetherby and has a number of gigs coming up. He will return to Spain in March where he is fully booked five-days-a-week until October.
His debut CD, ‘heart & soul’, is available to buy at Cristian’s performances with 1 of the profit from all sales going to the Romania charity, Children in Distress - a charity he has been raising money for for a number of years.
l Cristian will be doing a concert at the St James Wetherby Church Crypt on Saturday February 23 at 8.30pm. Tickets cost 3 for adults and 2 for teenagers and students. He will also be singing at Harris's wine bar on Thursday February 28 from 9pm.
To purchase heart & soul or to hire Cristian to perform at an event contact Ken Frew on 07951 555053 or email kenfrew@yahoo.co.uk.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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