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THE JOESPH McMANNERS BIOGRAPHY
1. Preface: When I volunteered to write out Joseph’s biography a few weeks ago, little did I realize just how much this young teen has affected all that have come in contact with him, through his music and acting, since our forum made it’s debut in December of 2005, the same time as Joseph’s first album, “In Dreams” made it appearance. I will never forget the day when I clicked on ClassicFM and watched “Bright Eyes” and heard Joseph for the very first time. Like all of you I was captivated, stunned a bit and got hit with this “Feeling” as I felt I was watching something special unfold, and at that point I became an instant fan, never realizing however that I would be allowed someday to write a Biography of him for his official forum. What “Magic” of his was able to reach out to all of us? Was it his wonderfully fantastic voice at such a young age? Or maybe, it was that we were all captivated by the way he performed, to characterize him as a “Diamond in the rough” is not too far off the mark…being “just himself”, his own statement that he added after a performance. Maybe it is the slight uncertainty that he shows in interviews, untrained gaffs that would look bad on others he makes it add to his charisma and charm. It could have been the good looks, smile..long blond hair that have attracted many…the “He’s soooo cute and adorable” factor that we have heard from many of the girl and women members. That magic has also spread to our forum. It is a remarkable set of circumstances that have allowed us to become his official platform, and for those of us fortunate to be allowed to help and be a small part of his career it will always be something special that we can hold onto. Then of course we have all of you members. All of you can also consider yourselves as part of Joseph’s career as well. You, as true fans, have joined here, participated and have become friends, from all walks of life, from all over the world. It is truly amazing that a 15 year old young singer and actor from Canterbury England can do this, as again, it was Joseph that brought us all to this place. Throughout the internet there are scattered biography’s, some pretty good, some way off the mark and jumbled, so, since we are Joseph’s official forum it is only fitting that we put together an “Official Biography” for all to read. Unlike most Biography's however, I plan on making this a “Work in Progress” as I want to continue adding to the story as Joseph’s career evolves. The poem Sjoerd wrote, fantastic that it is, covered the time line of Joseph’s career in a witty and enjoyable way. My job will be to fill in between the rhyming and add just a bit to the story. When Ryan and I talked about this I was concerned as I didn’t want this to get too large, so I asked him how he wanted it laid out. He said there really wasn’t much there so it shouldn’t really be an issue. However, as I started my research I’m finding out there is much to tell, and although I am not a professional writer by any means, I am a great “Story Teller” I can not take all the credit here as the rest of the staff is adding, editing and helping with the text. All of us have bits and pieces secured away in notes, or in memory and it would be a disservice to Ryan, Keng, Spark and Wasley for them not to be included. With that said, please join us in a wonderful story! Kevin R. Czekalski (30/4/2008) Chapter One “The Early Years and the Little Prince” There is much to be said about how a person can come into this world and have been blessed with a beautiful talent. Why has God chosen some people over others one may ask, as to imply “where is the fairness in all of this?” I can’t answer that now, but I’ll be sure to ask God when the time comes. Whatever his reasons he chose December 3rd, 1992 to bring such a talent into this world. Joseph John McManners was born, a little early mind you, but maybe God wanted him to get started sooner in his task. The second son to Dr. Deborah McManners and Grandson to Reverend John McManners, he was soon on his way home to Petham, England, a sleepy little English town just a few miles South of Canterbury. There was something about Joseph even at this early stage. “Mum” would take him with her to her office during the day. I remember reading in a news article that upon arrival everyone of course would surround and make such a fuss over him. Now, babies being babies and all, that is not uncommon as we all fall to pieces at the sight of a little one tucked away in the bassinette, however with Joseph people commented on his “radiance and peeling laughter” mostly all of them saying how unique this was. Be rest assured that Mum Deborah just ate this all up, however I don’t even think she foresaw the day when this uniqueness would lead her son into the dream world of singing and acting on stage, theater, and screen. The little town of Petham is not unlike most English towns of it‘s size. Throw in quite a few centuries of history, a road built by the Roman Legions, lot’s of green grass, a hand full of sheep, and you have the idyllic setting of the perfect place to be a kid. However it also shares the dubious honour of being the first town in England to bear the brunt of World War II bombing raids. Located in a secluded part of town, the McManners house, situated on about 80 acres that at one time was a productive farming operation gave Joseph a great place to play, and like all kids his age, a place for the mind to wander and also to explore. While attending the local schools, like any youngster he became involved with children of the town, became active in after school activities, one of his favorites was what us Americans would call “Camping Out” in the woods behind his house, cooking sausages (The British version of the Hot Dog maybe?) He loved..and still does love reading Beano Comic books and also the character “Tin Tin”, pretty much splurging his £5 a week allowance on them back then. We have all heard the story about the family reunion where Joseph made his first “public appearance” at age 8 singing Celine Dion’s “My Heart will go on” from the movie “Titanic”..and I will get to that shortly. Before that day however it was Deborah who heard Joseph singing, most likely to himself and she was like “Is that Joseph??” She quickly dialed the phone to a relative, I believe it was her mother and said, “Listen to this!” and held the phone up for her to hear. “That can’t be Joseph….is it?”..something to that effect. Both women were shocked to say the least as they heard this pure crystal voice of Joseph’s, unwavering as he just went about doing whatever was occupying him at the time. A few weeks later finds us at the family reunion where Joseph made his momentous decision to actually become a singer. It wasn’t difficult to coax him to sing what at that time was his favorite song from a movie that he watched over and over. Showing no nervousness over performing in front of people, another trait that he has learned to take advantage of, he sang “My heart will go on” flawlessly, hitting the high notes and carrying the tune without a waver. No formal training, no music schooling, nothing like that, just him singing naturally. He enjoyed it so much it was at that point that he said “I really want to sing” To say that he did not receive any argument to his wishes would be considered an understatement. All of those present for his first “concert” were simply at awe over what they had just heard and encouraged him to by all means pursue his ambition. With the commitment made, we find Joseph heading toward his first public appearance in a hometown production of “Oliver Twist” Before I get into that, just an interesting side note here. The character of “Oliver” that Joseph has played twice in his career, which we will discuss shortly, strangely coincides with the history of his family somewhat. Joseph has, since his career started, been an avid and keen supporter of the Bernardo Children’s Charity Foundation, a worldwide organization to help needy, abused, abandoned and sick children. The character of “Oliver” in a way symbolises what that organization fights so hard against. Now granted, the “Workhouses” of Dickens’s England no longer exist(?) and the storylines don’t overlap all that much, but at the same time you can see and feel the despair in both “Oliver” and the Bernardo Mission of what children have had to endure in the dark past, and unfortunately today as well. On a more personal note Joseph’s Grandmother was brought thru the Bernardo’s organization so we can now understand why he has chosen this worthy cause as one to support. |