Andrew Meraldson
| Andrew Meraldson | |
|---|---|
 Andrew-Meraldson-Singer-Bio-Headshot.jpeg | |
| Born | Martin Florent Aurelien Robert Handy 1998-06-12 Marseille, France |
| 🏡 Residence | Paris |
| 🏳️ Nationality | French-American |
| Other names | Drew, Andy, Anders |
| 💼 Occupation | Singer-Songwriter |
| 📆 Years active | 2008-Present |
| 👔 Employer | Feather Studios |
| 🏢 Organisation | Feather Studios |
| Agent | Feather Studios |
| Known for | Singer-Songwriter |
| 🏡 Home town | Auburn, California, United States |
| Height | 185 |
| Title | Singer-Songwriter |
| ❤️ Partner(s) | Unknown 2021-Present |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | Deborah Lynn (Mother), Brian Sharp (Father), Genevieve Handy (Mother), Pierre Handy (Father) |
| 👪 Relatives | Aaron Sharp (Brother), Tanner Sharp (Brother), Steven Overdevest (Brother), Heather Korngiebel (Sister) |
| 🌐 Website | https://www.andrewmeraldson.com |
| https://x.com/AndrewMeraldson | |
| https://www.facebook.com/AndrewMeraldsonMusic | |
| https://www.instagram.com/andrewmeraldson/ | |
Andrew Meraldson, born Martin Florent Aurelien Robert Handy on June 12, 1998, in Marseille, France, is an internationally recognized American-French singer-songwriter.
Known for his mastery of genres like Folk, Country, Indie, Rockabilly, Pop, and Musical Theatre, Andrew captivates audiences worldwide with his powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His performances transcend language barriers, as he sings in English, Spanish, French, and even has the ability to sing in additional languages through his remarkable talent for imitating sounds.
Andrew’s charismatic stage presence and distinctive sound have earned him critical acclaim in both intimate and grand venues. Blending Folk, Country, Indie, Rockabilly, Pop Music, and Musical Theatre influences, his music connects deeply with fans by telling emotive and personal stories.
More than just a musician, Andrew views his work as a way to bridge cultures, creating a global community through his art. Whether he’s on stage or in the studio, his passion for music and storytelling shines through in every performance.
Early Life[edit]
Andrew Meraldson, born Martin Florent Aurelien Robert Handy on June 12, 1998, in Marseille, France, was raised in Auburn, California, USA, after being adopted at the age of three. His unique upbringing involved two families—one in France and one in the United States.
In France, his adoptive parents were Pierre Handy, a middle manager at Brink’s Company, and Geneviève Handy, an educator working with children in difficulty.
Andrew’s French father, Pierre Handy, passed away on July 7, 2023. His American parents, Deborah Lynn and Brian Sharp, reside in Auburn, California, where his father works as a general contractor and his mother in preschool education. Andrew has siblings only in his American family, including Steven Overdevest, Aaron Sharp, Tanner Sharp, and his sister Heather Korngiebel (born Overdevest).
From an early age, Andrew showed a deep passion for music, which was greatly influenced by his autism and savant syndrome. His heightened sensitivity to sound and detail allowed him to grasp complex musical compositions from a young age. He began singing at the age of six and by eight was already performing on stage, displaying an exceptional talent for memorizing and interpreting music.
A key moment in his early life was meeting a music teacher at age seven who nurtured his talents, recognizing his unique musical abilities, which were further enhanced by his savant syndrome.
Career[edit]
Andrew Meraldson is a Franco-American singer who began his career at a young age, performing Broadway and Disney songs in theaters at the age of 10. In 2009, he had his first major performance singing at the Requiem of Mozart at the Antique Vienna Theater, where he sang in front of 8,000 people. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, as his vocal abilities stood out in a children’s choir.
Andrew’s musical journey expanded when he started singing in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and more. His savant syndrome, which enhances his ability to mimic sounds and remember complex patterns, enabled him to master songs in various languages and perform with remarkable precision. By 2011, he had learned Argentinian Spanish, adding a new layer to his performances.
In 2012, Andrew found inspiration in the late singer Dalida, whose music he began to cover, introducing her classics to new audiences. Over the years, he has reprised over 211 of her songs in various languages, including French, Italian, German, Egyptian Arabic, Russian, and Hebrew.
His career continued to grow, with influences from artists like the Zac Brown Band, and by 2014, Andrew added Country music hits to his repertoire. In 2016, he began performing Broadway hits from well-known musicals such as The Lion King, Frozen, Anastasia, and The Little Mermaid.
In 2017, Andrew moved to Paris, France, to explore new opportunities and auditioned for a prestigious music school, where he studied for two years. He graduated in June 2019 and shortly after landed an audition for a Disney Musical in France. Although he was selected out of 1,000 candidates, the show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By mid-2022, Andrew discovered the band The Seekers, which added a new layer to his music, introducing the genre of Folk. Judith Durham, the lead singer of The Seekers, also became a significant influence on his work. By the end of 2022, Andrew discovered the music of Buddy Holly, which introduced Rockabilly to the mix of styles he practices.
Another key influence in Andrew’s early career was Florencia Bertotti, an Argentine singer and actress, who inspired his exploration of Pop music and helped shape his pop style as a child.
As of 2024, Andrew has a repertoire of over 1,000 songs and has started releasing his original music through major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music, with the support of Feather Studios, an American-Australian label.
Personal Life[edit]
Andrew was born to unknown biological parents and adopted at the age of three.
In 2015, curious about his origins, he took a DNA test in California and discovered that his ancestry includes roots in Ireland, Australia, Spain, and the Aegean Islands.
Andrew has been open about his autism and savant syndrome, which have both shaped his musical journey. His ability to focus intently on his craft has enabled him to excel in areas such as memorization, language acquisition, and perfecting musical details. Being candid about his neurodiversity has also allowed him to connect with fans who admire his authenticity and resilience.
In 2012, Andrew came out as gay, a key moment in his personal journey. He has been in a relationship with a man since 2021. His openness about his identity has resonated with fans worldwide, adding to his authentic and relatable persona as an artist.
Influences[edit]
Throughout his career, Andrew has been influenced by a range of artists and genres, which have shaped his unique sound:
•Florencia Bertotti: As a child, Andrew was inspired by the Argentine singer and actress, whose work helped shape his exploration of Pop music.
•Dalida: Her timeless music inspired Andrew to revive classic songs and share them with new audiences across multiple languages.
•Julie Andrews: The legendary actress and singer influenced Andrew’s vocal style and love for musical theatre.
•Zac Brown Band: Their influence helped Andrew incorporate Country music into his repertoire.
•Johnny Cash: Cash’s iconic sound inspired Andrew to dive deeper into traditional country and folk styles.
•Donovan Leitch: Donovan’s folk-rock style has influenced Andrew’s acoustic and folk performances.
•Melanie Safka: Known for her emotive and folk-inspired music, Melanie Safka has added depth to Andrew’s folk influences.
•Andy Williams: His smooth vocals and romantic ballads have inspired Andrew’s approach to emotional storytelling through music.
•Françoise Hardy: The French icon has influenced Andrew’s exploration of French pop and chanson.
•The Seekers and Judith Durham: By mid-2022, Andrew discovered The Seekers, whose Folk music added a new layer to his style, with Judith Durham being a particularly strong influence on his vocal approach.
•Ricky Nelson: His contributions to early rock and pop have shaped Andrew’s approach to modern rockabilly.
•The Crickets and Buddy Holly: By the end of 2022, Andrew discovered Buddy Holly and The Crickets, which introduced him to Rockabilly and classic rock ‘n’ roll.
References[edit]
https://www.andrewmeraldson.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@andrewmeraldsonofficial
https://www.instagram.com/andrewmeraldson/
https://www.facebook.com/AndrewMeraldsonMusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/18lt9qmuZdwhrIpF3e9Yq4?si=K3O9LleeSnyzsJ4CtaeNsA
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/andrew-meraldson/1778118028
https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0DM2S5179/andrew-meraldson
https://listen.tidal.com/artist/51616998
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/288659021
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16785903/
