Braided is a musical group consisting of

Casey LeBlanc Cassandra Beth "Casey" LeBlanc (born November 4, 1987) is a Canadian recording artist, She was a contestant on the third season of the popular reality television show '' Canadian Idol'', and was the fifth-place finisher. Born in Woodstock, New Br ...

Ashley Leitão Ashley Leitão (, born December 6, 1986) Is a Canadian recording artist. She was the ninth-place finisher on the third season of the reality show ''Canadian Idol'' in 2005.CTV. Ashley Leitão'. Archived frothe originalon October 3, 2012.Calgary S ...

, and

Amber Fleury Amber Fleury (born April 10, 1979) is a Canadian recording artist, and was the eighth-place finisher in the third season of '' Canadian Idol'', which aired during the summer of 2005. Born in Dauphin, Manitoba, she now lives in Calgary, Alberta whe ...

, who all competed on the third season of ''

Canadian Idol ''Canadian Idol'' is a Canadian reality television competition show which aired on CTV, based on the British show ''Pop Idol''. The show was a competition to find the most talented young singer in Canada, and was hosted by Ben Mulroney. Jon Dore ...

'' in 2005. They are the third music group to come from an

Idol show Idol Show (; lit. ''Idol Corps, She Has Arrived!''), also called ''Idol Army'', is a weekly Korean variety show on MBC Every 1 hosted by the nation's most popular teen idol groups. Hosts Idol Guest Stars Season 1 First aired: July 10, 2008 *E ...

in the world, after

Young Divas Young Divas was an Australian pop girl group formed in 2006 by Sony BMG Australia, initially for a one-off single and national tour to promote all members as solo artists. The original line-up consisted of former ''Australian Idol'' contestants ...

from Australia and

Feminnem Feminnem is a girl group from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina composed of three members. They represented both countries at the Eurovision Song Contest; Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2005 (with original members Ivana Marić, Neda Parmać and Pame ...

from Croatia.

History

During the 2005, Canadian Idol contest, Leitao came in ninth, Fleury eighth and LeBlanc fifth. The three were brought together by producer and ''Idol'' accompanist Mark Lalama, at the suggestion of his brother Paul. The band's name was chosen because the group "braids" elements from across the country into one.Malchuk, Carlye (July 31, 2006). "Idol finalists, including NBer, releasing CD Tuesday: Casey LeBlanc part of Braided trio", ''

Telegraph-Journal The ''Telegraph-Journal'' is a daily newspaper published in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It serves as both a provincial daily and as a local newspaper for Saint John. The newspaper is published by Brunswick News. The ''Telegraph-Journal'' i ...

'', p. D10. Braided began recording in Lalama's studio at his farmhouse in

Fenwick, Ontario Fenwick is a community in the Canadian province of Ontario, in the town of Pelham. It is located in the Niagara Region. Welland is the closest city center. Fenwick has a population of 1,500. History The community was named in 1853. The name pr ...

. The single "A Little Bit Closer" was released in June 2006. Their debut album, ''Casey, Ashley and Amber'', was released in August. Figure skater

Elvis Stojko Elvis Stojko, (born March 22, 1972) is a Canadian figure skater. He was a three-time World champion (1994, 1995, 1997), two-time Olympic silver medallist (1994, 1998), and seven-time Canadian champion (1994, 1996–2000, and 2002). Personal ...

sang a duet with Leitao on the track "Before You". The group toured during 2006–07 to promote the album.

Critical reception

Bob Mersereau Bob Ellis Mersereau is a Canadian arts journalist.Rockingham, Graham �"Randy Bachman: lord of the song"''The Spec'' He is a music columnist and longtime arts reporter for CBC Television in New Brunswick.Telegraph-Journal The ''Telegraph-Journal'' is a daily newspaper published in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. It serves as both a provincial daily and as a local newspaper for Saint John. The newspaper is published by Brunswick News. The ''Telegraph-Journal'' i ...

'', gave them a mixed review, writing that producer and songwriter Mark Lalama "gives them some cool 'girl-group' '60s material which is bright and fun. But there's also some schmaltz, ballad material that Celine Dion would pass on." Mersereau, Bob (August 9, 2006). "LeBlanc gets the Braided look", ''

'', p. D7.

Discography

Albums

*''Casey, Ashley and Amber'' (August 2006)

Singles

*"A Little Bit Closer"

References

External links

MySpace website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Braided Canadian Idol participants Canadian pop music groups