A Q&A with Performer Josh Christina – Official Addition to Roster at Blackburn International

Acclaimed recording artist and performer Josh Christina is excited to announce that he has officially joined the esteemed roster at Blackburn International: the largest entertainment agency for the world’s leading cruise lines. With offices in the UK, US, Asia and Australia, Blackburn aims to deliver the very best in entertainment to Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival and many more.

Christina looks forward to keeping some of our highest acclaimed legends alive with his performance ‘Piano Rock Through the Ages’ (feat. hits from Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard to Elton John and Billy Joel) which has easily won the approval from some of the peers of his heroes. Coined a ‘piano rock phenomenon’, Christina carries the torch passed down by artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and many more. Having originally made his television debut on Ireland’s Late Late Show, the accomplished performer has delivered hundreds, if not thousands of performances to fans from all over the world. Watch Christina’s “Piano Rock Through the Ages” on YouTube Here.

We sat down with Josh to learn a bit more about him and his music!

Did you ever own cassette tapes? If so, do you remember the first one you ever owned? If not – how about your first CD?

I did not own a cassette tape. I do remember mt first CD however. It was the soundtrack to Lilo and Stitch. That’s the movie I heard Elvis in for the first time and totally changed my life. Its how I discovered rock and roll.

How did you decide to get into performing on cruise ships? And where did you travel on your first ever gig?

The idea of headlining on cruise ships has always been something that’s crossed my mind. It’s like being able to play Vegas on the water. You get to travel and get exposure from people of all walks of life, from all over the world. Having just joined the roster at Blackburn International, I have not yet gotten on a ship. Once the dates start to roll in I’d love to have my first one be somewhere in the Caribbean. I love it down there.

Are you ever afraid of the water? If so, how do you cope?

I don’t think I’m afraid of water. When I was a kid, we use to go fishing and tubing on my aunt and uncles boat a lot and I always enjoyed it. There’s just something about being out in the ocean with nothing but water around. Gives you a sense of peace.

You must have some funny stories from performing – is there one you’d be willing to share?

I played this big out door Fourth of July event once in Virginia and it started to pour down rain. They were determined to have us keep playing cause there were several thousand people there and they wanted to do the fire works. The band and I went up for second set and we had tarps on all the equipment and had to keep playing. My drummer was under a big piece of plastic and my piano had a tarp over the body of it, the monitors were in black garbage bags, took some of the cases like two weeks to dry out after. It was ridicules.

Where would be your dream travel destination or what is your dream cruise line to perform on?

Again, I’d have to probably say somewhere in the Caribbean, down around the Bahamas. I don’t think I’m really to particular when it comes to cruise lines cause they’re all gorgeous ships. I know some people that have worked on Celebrity and Princess and Holland America who say they’re really nice but really it doesn’t matter to me. They’re huge floating cities with a lot of pools so who’s complaining!

What are your top three favorite songs right now?

Always a hard question cause I like all the songs I perform. I’ve been one just to play what’s popular at the time. I love performing “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby, “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John is always a favorite. “Whole Lotta Shakin” by Jerry Lee Lewis is up there too. First song I ever learned on piano.

What is your pre-performance warm-up routine like? Do you have any rituals?

I don’t think I really have any routine or ritual. I usually like to chill out before I go on, kinda get my head in the game but besides that, can’t really think of anything.

Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years? 10?

In 5 to 10 years I’d love to see myself just continue to tour and travel. I have this “Piano Rock Through the Ages” show that I’ve been working on and promoting, it’s the show I’ll be performing on the ships. I’d love to get that out in Vegas in some rooms and just keep piano rock and roll alive. That’s really where my passion is. I definitely want to do a new album too. I’ve done some singles since covid but am itching to get in the studio and do a full album.

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