From Street Tunes to Center Stage: Josie Oliver Joins Sam Smith's Show!

Josie Oliver is a 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Stone, Staffordshire, who is about to experience one of the biggest moments of her music career. Josie, who has long black hair and a passion for singing and playing guitar, started her journey by performing in pubs and busking in the city centre of Stoke-on-Trent as a teenager. She was a familiar face to many people who would see her singing and playing her guitar on the streets. Now, Josie is preparing to open for the famous singer Sam Smith at the London Coliseum on 16 September, a huge step up from her early days performing locally. Josie was one of ten up-and-coming artists chosen to open for Sam Smith at their residency shows in Manchester and London. The opportunity came through a competition organized by Sam Smith and BBC Introducing, which aims to give new artists a chance to perform on big stages. Josie first heard about the competition from her mother, who thought Josie would be perfect for it. Even though Josie didn't think she would win, she decided to enter. She sent in her music and then put it out of her mind, not expecting anything to come of it. When she received the email saying she had been selected, she was in disbelief and had to check several times to make sure it was real. Josie described herself as 'buzzing' with excitement and said that being given this kind of platform as an unsigned artist meant a lot to her. She called it an incredible opportunity and said she was thrilled to be part of it.

Music has always been a big part of Josie's life. She grew up listening to artists like Genesis, Pink Floyd, James Blunt, and Birdy. She sang in her school choir and began performing in pubs at just 14 years old. As a teenager, she would often busk in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, sharing her music with anyone who passed by. Josie also attended the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, where she was one of ten third-year students selected to perform in front of Sir Paul McCartney. She remembers the experience as a blur but recalls how Sir Paul reassured her by telling her not to be nervous, as they were just sharing two songs together. For the competition to open for Sam Smith, Josie performed two new songs, including her single 'Killing Flies. ' She admitted that nerves were starting to set in, but she was focusing on the excitement of the opportunity. Josie said, 'It's definitely the biggest thing I've done,' and explained that she was rehearsing a lot and trusting in her abilities.

Although Josie hasn't spoken to Sam Smith yet, she has been a fan of their music since she was 12 years old. She has many memories of singing Sam Smith's songs at karaoke and hopes to get the chance to talk to them when they meet. Josie's story is inspiring for other young musicians, showing that hard work and persistence can lead to amazing opportunities. People in Staffordshire are proud of her and excited to see her perform on such a big stage. Josie is ready for her big moment and hopes to make the most of this incredible chance to share her music with a wider audience.