British singer Ed Sheeran now calls Nashville home

[June 12, 2013]  NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Music City has snared another star: Ed Sheeran.

The British singer-songwriter turned pop star says he moved to Nashville in February, settling just outside of town in a rural area.

Sheeran said he wanted to live somewhere that incorporates a lot of music, has a lot of countryside and a relaxed atmosphere -- and isn't filled with rude people.

"And Nashville is full of very, very nice people," the 22-year-old said.

Always home to most of country music's top stars, figures from the pop and rock world have also fallen for the city's charms. Jack White and The Black Keys moved to Nashville in the last few years. Sheryl Crow calls it home now. And Sheeran can hang out with good friend Taylor Swift.

Like those artists, Sheeran feels comfortable walking the streets.

Unlike Los Angeles and New York, Nashville doesn't have paparazzi on the lookout for celebs, and most folks in town can have lunch in a public restaurant and be left alone.

"I don't think people really care in Nashville," Sheeran said. "Even if they knew who you were, I don't think they'd care. They'd just be like, 'Eh.'"

Sheeran said his new home reminds him of Framlingham, a rural area in England where he grew up before moving to London. And "The A Team" singer said settling in the U.S. made sense, given his growing popularity here.

He recently performed at the Grammy Awards with Elton John, released a video with Swift for her song "Everything Has Changed" and was at the CMT Music Awards last week to introduce Lady Antebellum.

"I love America," Sheeran said on the CMT red carpet. "I've been here for a long time, though. So I'd like to get back to England at some point. I've been in America since early January 2012 mostly. I'd say 90 percent in America since January 2012. Long time."

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Online:

http://edsheeran.com/

[Associated Press; By CHRIS TALBOTT]

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