Music

Anthoney Wright likes to make people smile. He says it's all down to becoming a Buddhist although his modern blend of soul music is bringing a grin to many people's faces.

Loving the groove

At the age of 36 Anthoney Wright is making a late bid for pop glory. But he's always been surrounded by music.

He was brought up in Nottingham by his grandparents. His grandfather was a Jamaican soul, calypso, ska and rock-playing pirate radio DJ.

His influence led to Anthoney enrolling on a music course.

He spent time in the Arboretum before heading to London and a career with a legal publishing company.

But he maintained his links with music and in 2003 appeared on the Basement Jaxx album Kish Kash, singing backing vocals on the songs Right Here's The Spot and Supersonic. At this point he was credited as Jason-Anthoney Wright.

Anthoney Wright during The Monastery

Reality and beyond

It was family life that drew him to the BBC reality television series The Monastery. He was seeking answers to his strained relationship with his mother that had led him to being brought up by his grandparents. That and a lifestyle that was getting out of control.

Following the show he found the peace he was seeking.

"Six weeks after leaving the Monastery I went to Bangkok and kept going into Buddhist temples."

He came back to London where his new found fame led him to judging a Miss Universe competition.

"I met my other half who said she lived with nuns. A couple of weeks later she took me to where she lived and it was a Buddhist centre.

"I became a Buddhist. It felt like home."

You're a star

Anthoney's quieter way of living hasn't dimmed his ambition to become a music star. His debut album, Feet On the Ground, is winning favourable reviews.

"It's going well. There seems to be a buzz going on which is nice. I don't see why we shouldn't be going for a Grammy soon."

You can hear more local musicians on Local Music Monday. It's part of the John Holmes show on BBC Radio Nottingham. You can listen to show on Monday to Friday from 2.00pm until 4.30pm (103.8, 95.5fm, 1584am and DAB digital radio). If you miss it you can listen again on the BBC's iplayer.