Music star set to go Stateside

SINGER SECURES FUNDS FOR USA TOUR AS PART OF £1.4M SCHEME

- By BARBARA HODGSON

RISING star Andrew Cushin is delighted at the "huge opportunity" he has been given to grow his name in America, thanks to a cash boost which will help finance a US tour.

The singer-songwriter from Heaton in Newcastle who has been on a roll in recent years, is being awarded funding as part of a £1.4m boost for UK music talents.

He and fellow popular North East name Finn Forster, from Middlesbrough, are the two North East recipients of funding from MEGS - the Music Export Growth Scheme - which aims to 'unveil the best of this country’s talent to the world'. And that means support to grow their global profiles and build new overseas fanbases which will also help secure financial return and drive economic growth for the country.

Cushin, who is currently building on another successful year which saw the release of bestseller second album Love is Everyone - which quickly became his first the top 40 entry - following on from US, European and home tours then a third supported American tour last November, says the grant will ensure another tour across the Atlantic.