Our guest on 31.08.2008

The German-Italian singer-songwriter was unearthed in 2006 on the German "Pop Idol" offshoot "Deutschland sucht den Superstar." Though he was highly favored to win the talent contest, to the surprise of many he only reached fourth place. But just a year later, Nevio Passaro stormed back on the scene with his hit single "Amore per sempre." His self-titled album "Nevio" covers a broad musical spectrum, from rock and pop to traditional Italian ballads.Nevio grew up in southern Germany, where he developed an interest for music at a young age. With the encouragement of his mother and music teacher, he was soon introduced to his first instrument – the piano.

In the years to follow he added the guitar to his repertoire and gained his first taste of the stage in school musicals and with his band "Nevio and Friends."

In 1999, the 18-year-old singer-songwriter signed a deal with the Hamburg-based record label BMG Ariola. That same year he released his first single "La Mia Parola."

But music wasn’t Nevio’s only passion. From 2000 to 2005, he studied languages at the University of Bologna. He went on qualify as a translator and interpreter in Italian, German, English and French.

His big break in show business came in 2006. After building a huge following on the German version of "Pop Idol," he went on to play sold-out concerts across Europe. Last year he released the hit single "Amore per sempre", which immediately shot to number two on the German charts.

Nevio’s second album "DUE" is due out this September and a tour is planned for early 2009.