{"name":"Chris Rea","title":"Chris Rea","id":2522,"slug":"chris-rea","url":"https://www.guitarparty.com/api/v3/core/authors/2522/?format=json","bio_short":"Christopher Anton Rea (pronounced Ree-ah), born 4 March 1951, is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Middlesbrough, England. He started his music career in 1978.  Rea's initial focus was on continental Europe, releasing eight albums in the 1980s. It wasn't until 1985's <a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/Shamrock+Diaries\">Shamrock Diaries</a> and the songs &quot;<a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/_/Stainsby+Girls\">Stainsby Girls</a>&quot; and &quot;<a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/_/Josephine\">Josephine</a>,&quot; that UK audiences began to take notice of him. Follow up albums <a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/On+the+Beach\">On The Beach</a> and <a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/Dancing+with+Strangers\">Dancing With Strangers</a> became UK hits and then the <a href=\"http://www.last.fm/music/Chris+Rea/New+Light+Through+Old+Windows\">New Light Through Old Windows</a> compilation album in 1988 cemented his reputation.","artist_img":"//guitarparty.overcastcdn.com/images/ChrisRea.2e16d0ba.fill-1200x675-c100.format-jpeg.jpg","songs":[{"id":26188,"title":"Driving Home For Christmas","url":"https://www.guitarparty.com/songs/driving-home-for-christmas/"},{"id":24205,"title":"Fool (if you think its over)","url":"https://www.guitarparty.com/songs/fool-if-you-think-its-over/"},{"id":2891,"title":"Road to Hell","url":"https://www.guitarparty.com/songs/road-to-hell/"}]}