Tomi Fujiyama
Tomi Fujiyama (トミ藤山, January 10, 1941) is a Japanese country music singer-songwriter.
Tomi Fujiyama トミ藤山 | |
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Born | [1] | January 10, 1941
Origin | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
Genres | Country |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1951–present |
Website | tomifujiyama |
In 1952, at the age of twelve, she began singing country western despite not speaking English.[2] She performed at U.S. military bases, eventually being signed with Columbia Records. By 1964 she had recorded five albums and twenty-one singles for the company. That year she was booked to play regularly at the The Mint Las Vegas, and also performed for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry, receiving a standing ovation.[3][2][4] In 1965 her song "Lonely Together" was the first song by a Japanese singer to reach the American country music charts.[3] Shortly after, she returned to Japan, where she has continued to perform.
Fujiyama was the subject of the 2015 documentary film Made In Japan.[4][5]
Bibliography
Tomi Fujiyama (2004). ころび 転ぶよ 音楽人生 (in Japanese). Tōkyō: Bungeisha. ISBN 4-8355-6955-5. OCLC 169693021.
References
- "ABOUT". Tomi Fujiyama Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- "Japanese country singer returns to U.S." Northwest Asian Weekly. September 28, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- "Honky-Tonk Tokyo". AFAR Media. July 7, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- Haruch, Steve (June 8, 2018). "Documentary Spotlights Japanese Country Singer Who Broke Ground On The Grand Ole Opry 54 Years Ago". WPLN News. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
- "'Made in Japan': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. March 22, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2023.