AN AUTISTIC man who made a music CD for fun has been tapped up by a top American producer after his song was spotted on the internet.
Rory Hoy, 20, was emailed by world-renowned DJ Freddy Fresh - who has worked with including Eminem and Fatboy Slim - and has now been given a record deal.
Inspirational Rory began making music as a side-project to his award-winning filmmaking, which helps youngsters worldwide to better understand autism.
Despite having the condition, Rory achieved two A-Levels and ten GCSEs before producing out a series of short films - three of which have been broadcast on television.
But music is another passion of Rory, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, and his first CD, Cosmic Child, is due to be released on March 10 by Howlin' Records.
He and DJ Freddy Fresh, who is among the most prolific American music artists and has released more than 150 singles and ten albums, over the past 20 years, have yet to meet.
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But Rory has been in almost daily contact online since the DJ, who has been featured on more than 200 radio broadcasts including The John Peel Show and Ministry of Sound Sessions, asked him for some demos in December.
Rory said he was "astounded and thrilled" by the approach from one of his favourite producers.
He said: "My album is a journey into a bizarre parallel dimension. It's like floating in a ghost town metropolis with green neon all around.
"It's the soundtrack of all my musical influences rolled into one."
Rory is writing backing music for a singer on another of Fresh's labels and was also chosen by the Performing Rights Society to appear on a podcast of new dance music talent.
His DVD and booklet, Autism And Me, was published worldwide last year to help to promote acceptance of autism in mainstream schools.
Rory's mum, Geraldine, said music had overtaken films as Rory's current passion.
"He spends all his time creating new tracks," she said.
"His father, Tom, has been a professional musician and songwriter all his life and Rory just has a feel for it.
"But we never lose sight of the fact Rory is autistic and is different, and some things are more difficult for him than they are for other people."
I find this interesting as he lives near me.
Good luck to him.
01 Mar 2008, 5:46 am
Now I don't have to use my Death Note on some poor unfortunate soul.
