After signing to Simon Cowell's label Syco Music, Ray Quinn’s self-titled debut album will be released this month. This beautiful album is a collection of Ray’s favourite tracks, featuring songs originally performed by legends such as Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and the chairman, Frank Sinatra. ‘Ray Quinn’ is the perfect opportunity for the man himself to showcase his talents. Ray has waited to perform songs from the bourbon filled years, when the Rat Pack used to hang out and perform in Vegas, all his life. The album itself consists of thirteen tracks, eight of which Ray performed on The X-Factor series and due to incredible audience demand they are included on his album. All the classics are there such as ‘My Way’, ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’, ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ and ‘That’s Life’ which Ray sang with the record breaking Westlife on the ITV 1 Final of the programme.On it, Ray fully captures the spirit and image of that unique time with immaculately tailored suits and his trademark quiff. He gives exceptional performances throughout the whole CD and has further developed as an artist since his success in the hit talent show, when six million people voted for him. Ray has been given the chance of a lifetime as he’s not only recorded his album in LA but has shot the video in both LA and Las Vegas. The album and the video are both so authentic and really pay homage to the era of his singing heroes and everything it represents.First were able to speak to the 18-year-old Liverpudlian lad with the cheeky grin during a break from touring across the length and breadth of the country with rest of the former X factor contestants.Find out what he had to say....You’re currently on the X Factor tour – how’s that been going so far for you?

It’s amazing. All the crowds are wicked and we’ve had a great reception. It’s also definitely lovely meeting up with everybody again, it nice to be able to go there and just enjoy ourselves really and have fun without any conflict, comments or cameras. It’s just us having fun and being ourselves. So it’s really good.

If you hadn’t have been on the X Factor would you still be pursuing your music career, do you think?

Yeah – definitely. I would have put me finger in every pie even if I weren’t doing what I’m doing. I definitely just keep doing what I love. I try to keep myself out there cos it’s what I love and what I’ve always loved and what I always will do. I will pursue it and will never give up. Hopefully I will never fail.

Did you ever think you would get this far with it?

No, no, no. I always wanted to get to the final – that was always my goal but to be able to actually get there and be there with a friend of mine – Leona. Even though I lost, it’s not that bad being a loser, you know.

I’m going to stay the same. I’m not going to change. There’s not one thing that I don’t like at all. The more I work hard, the better it is for me so I’m loving it.

You recorded your debut album in the legendary Capitol Studios in LA where Sinatra worked. As such a big fan of Frank’s did you learned anything juicy about him and the Rat Pack that you didn’t know about already when you travelled to the States?

Well in Capitol Studios I used his original microphone and I had a forty-two-piece orchestra. They were telling me stuff about what he used to when he used to record. All those good little stories that I found out about him! It’s quite surreal but it was good fun.

You’ve shot a music video in LA whilst in a white Cadillac – but what would your very own dream car be?

Oh – probably a Mercedes Mclaren or an Austin Martin DB9. That’s my dream car. But I like BMWs and Golfs too. After working so hard on the album is it how you imagined it would be?

Yeah and better. I’m really proud and loving my album at the minute. I’m just hoping that it does well, fingers crossed. On the album I love Mr Bojangles – I like my version of that.

Is there anything you miss about your life before the X Factor?

No not really – only my car. (Laughs) I don’t get to drive it a lot because I get driven everywhere now.

Would you do collaborations with anybody else from the X Factor show?

Yeah – probably Leona. I just think of the people that I would love to work with not particularly the people who I don’t.

You’re releasing your album close to Mother’s Day – have you any surprise presents in store for your own mum this month?

Well on Mother’s Day I don’t sit there and hold my mother’s hand. (Laughs) I’ll get her a card and a box of chocolates. She does really like her chocolates.

Have you been invited for tea at the Osbournes recently?

Yeah – I did in LA. I went to their house in the Beverley Hills and had Sunday lunch with me, Sharon and all of them. The dogs were all there running about - it was cool.

You’re very passionate about your roots and your hometown of Liverpool – can you name three things that you love about the place?

Cool City, the people and the Kabin.

We’d heard you were going to sing, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to celebrate Liverpool being the City of Culture in 2008. Is there any truth in it?

Well my management are talking about it but at the minute I think it’s a bit of a rumour. I hope it comes true.

You’re a perfect example of individuals keeping their dreams alive – what words of advice would you like to give to candidates of the next X Factor series?

Well just keep your head high – be yourself and don’t let anything around you put you off your dreams or sway your decisions. Make your own decisions and don’t let anybody influence you. Let people influence you in a good way but not in a negative. Always think positive.

After doing a cover album – would you like to move on and do an album of your own songs if given the chance?

Oh yeah – I want to be able to write my songs and meet people like Gary Barlow and Guy Chambers. To meet people like that and co-write with them would be great.

How has your working relationship been with Simon Cowell since the X Factor series finished – has it changed in any way?

Simon popped over to see me in the States – he’s cool. He’s the man; he’s the “don” in my eyes. He’s really helped me and given me a lot of opportunities so I really respect the man and I’m really grateful for every opportunity that I get.

Have you been meeting friends in high places – Shayne Ward said Robbie Williams came up to him after a Top of The Pops performance and gave him some words of advice. Has anybody done the same for you?

No, I haven’t really seen many to be honest because I’ve been recording the album. I still haven’t met Robbie!

Well he’s in rehab at the moment…...

He’ll be fine.

Any other projects happening which we’ve not talked about – there’s talk about a possible ad campaign for hair products, for instance?

Oh yeah – these are rumours again. I hope they come true as well but nothing at the moment. Nothing-proper concrete.

Ray Quinn’s self-titled debut album is out on March 12 in stores around the UK

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