A singer has gone from busking on his local high street to supporting one of music’s biggest up-and-coming stars on the North American leg of his world tour.
Elliot James Reay, 23 – known for his Elvis Presley-style quiff and who used to serenade shoppers with 1950s and 1960s songs in Bury, Greater Manchester – is set to join Benson Boone’s American Heart tour as a special guest.
Kicking off with a support appearance in Chicago on Monday, Reay posted a series of pictures on Facebook of him wowing the crowd and wrote: ‘Great pizza, great crowds! Thanks for having me Chicago x’
He will support Boone on a total of 14 dates, including shows in Nashville, New York, Florida, and shows in Montreal and Toronto, Canada.
US pop-soul singer Boone, who had a UK number one single with Beautiful Things last year, found fame after competing in the American Idol talent contest in 2001.
His tour comes to Britain this autumn with dates in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast in October and November.
Reay, who grew up in the Walmersley area of Bury, announced the news on social media, told his fans: ‘I’m beyond excited to be joining Benson on tour.
‘This is such an incredible opportunity, and I can’t wait to perform for you all across the States!’
Reay, a pupil at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom, used to busk in Bury town centre, especially on market days, and later found fame online with nearly four million followers on TikTok alone.
The Bury singer is known ‘soulful vocals and nostalgic style’, for blending the sound and sentiment of early rock ‘n’ roll with modern pop influences.
He credits Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and Billy Fury as being among his influences – and emphasises his use of vintage chord progressions.
Reay’s appearance on the tour is his largest international opportunity to date.
His dad, Phil, told local newspaper the Bury Times: ‘We are extremely proud. A lot has happened very quickly for Elliot so sometimes things are a bit surreal and we try to be the same as Elliot and take each step at a time and enjoy the moment.
‘He has a great small family support network in his mum, myself, his brother, grandmas and girlfriend.
‘He absolutely loves what he is doing and the opportunities given but still loves to come home and enjoy a game of snooker and a pint of Guinness at his local, The Robin Hood, in his home town of Tottington.’
Reay’s appearance on the tour follows a breakthrough year with the release of ‘distinctive’ new tracks.