Eva Cassidy is a phenomenon. Her album SONGBIRD topped the charts and has gone platinum. All her other albums have reached the Top 40, SONGBIRD selling 950,000 in 18 months. Her voice was voted was of the 'greatest of her generation' and her rendition of OVER THE RAINBOW is one of the most requested videos in TOP OF THE POPS' history. Her success is even more amazing since she has reached the top without expensive marketing campaigns; her success has come through the quality of her voice and word of mouth. Eva's story is the more astonishing in that in 1996 she died of cancer at the age of 33, virtually unknown outside the Washington area where she grew up and performed. It was only when Terry Wogan played her version of OVER THE RAINBOW two years ago that her incredible career really began. Her fans know little about Eva partly because her friends and family are naturally reticent and wish to honour her memory. Now, for the first time, Eva's story can be told - by her parents Hugh and Barbara Cassidy and by Eva's friends.

About the Author

Rob Burley is a producer on TONIGHT WITH TREVOR MCDONALD and former producer of the JONATHAN DIMBLEBY PROGRAMME. Jonathan Maitland is an investigative journalist who has worked on the TODAY PROGRAMME and WATCHDOG as well as TONIGHT WITH TREVOR MCDONALD.

Prizes

1.25 million copies of her albums sold in 18 months Six million viewers saw the profile on TONIGHT WITH TREVOR MCDONALD Amazing word-of-mouth phenomenon put her posthumous album SONGBIRD to the top of the charts Only book to be authorised by Eva's parents who will give an exclusive interview on publication Includes 60 unseen photographs from the family

Reviews

PRESS:DAILY EXPRESS: double-page feature by Jonathan Maitland - 6 SeptemberSUNDAY TIMES: news piece about proposed Eva Cassidy filmNOTTINGHAM EVENING POST: review and competitionHARTLEPOOL MAIL: review MAGAZINES:HELLO: interview with Eva's parents - AugustYORKSHIRE LIFE: review and competition RADIO:BBC Radio 5 Nicky Campbell show - interview with the authorsBBC London Live Lisa I'Anson show - interview with the authorsBBC Radio SHROPSHIRE: competitionBBC Radio CUMBRIA: interview and competitionBBC Radio LANCASHIRE: interview and competitionBBC Radio GMR: interview tbc* Interviews with Jonathan Maitland about Eva Cassidy:BBC Radio LEEDSBBC Radio CLEVELANDBBC Radio YORKBBC Radio KENTBB