For the second year, Edmond singer/songwriter/pianist Greyson Chance, 14, has made Billboard’s “21 Under 21,” its annual list of music’s most powerful minors.
The teen music sensation is ranked No. 15 on the trade publication’s list. He was listed at No. 9 last year, when his voice-and-piano cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral on YouTube, leading to his signing as the first artist on Ellen DeGeneres’ boutique label eleveneleven.
Billboard.com this year has dubbed Greyson “the thinking man’s Justin Bieber.”
“Armed with classical training, a way-beyond-his-years voice and a knack for emotional songwriting, Greyson Chance has built upon the overnight success he gained when his cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Paparazzi’ earned 43 million YouTube views,” is Billboard.com’s assessment.
Greyson released his debut album “Hold On ‘Til the Night” in August. Inspired by Snow Patrol and Coldplay, the album featured the singles “Waiting Outside the Lines” (9 million YouTube views) and “Unfriend You” (6 million YouTube views). He will try to widen that audience even more with an upcoming “massive touring block,” according to Billboard.com.
The Oklahoma teen has ties to two other youths on the “21 Under 21″ roster: He toured with 14-year-old Aussie heartthrob Cody Simpson (No. 13 on the list) earlier this year, and he worked with 19-year-old Nick Jonas (No. 8 ) in the youngest Jonas Brother’s capacity as a songwriter.
Justin Bieber moves into top spot on the 2011 “21 Under 21″ since the previous No. 1, country music superstar Taylor Swift, turned 21 last December. Swift will play Oct. 15 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
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