Rufus McGarrigle Wainwright (born July 22, 1973) is an American-Canadian singer, songwriter, and composer. He has recorded seven albums of original music and numerous tracks on compilations and film soundtracks. He has also written a classical opera and set Shakespeare sonnets to music for a theater piece by Robert Wilson. Wainwright's self-titled debut album was released through DreamWorks Records in May 1998.
Through weekly shows at Cafe Sarajevo, Wainwright was on the Montreal club circuit and eventually cut a series of demo tapes produced by Pierre Marchand, who later produced Wainwright's album Poses. The resulting tapes impressed his father Loudon, who passed them on to his friend Van Dyke Parks. Parks sent the recordings to Lenny Waronker, the DreamWorks executive who eventually signed Wainwright to his label. Waronker stated the following of Wainwright: "When I was about to listen to his tape, I remember clearly I was thinking, 'Gee, if he has the mom's musicality and smarts, and the dad's smarts and voice, that'd be nice.' Then I put it on and I said, 'Oh, my God, this is stunning.'" The singer moved to New York City in 1996, performing regularly at Club Fez. He relocated to Los Angeles that year and began his first studio album, 1998's Rufus Wainwright. Waronker paired Wainwright with producer Jon Brion, and the two spent most of 1996 and 1997 making the record. Wainwright recorded 56 songs in total, on 62 rolls of tape. The sessions cost $700,000. Wainwright's self-titled debut received critical acclaim; Rolling Stone recognized it as one of the best albums of the year, and named the singer "Best New Artist" of the year. Wainwright was nominated for four awards by the Gay & Lesbian American Music Awards, including Album of the Year, Pop Recording of the Year and Video of the Year, and won for Best New Artist. Rufus Wainwright won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Album and a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album. However, commercial success of the album was limited; the debut failed to chart in any country, though he ranked No.24 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart. In 1996 Wainwright toured the UK as "Special Guest" of Kate & Anna McGarrigle. He toured with Sean Lennon in 1998 and began his first headline tour later that year. In December 1998, he appeared in a Gap commercial directed by Phil Harder, performing Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". In March 1999, Wainwright began a headlining tour in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Q: Demo tapes were produced by who?
A: demo tapes produced by Pierre Marchand,

Q: Wainwright was nominated for four awards by who?
A: the Gay & Lesbian American Music Awards,

Q: Rufus Wainwright won what media award?
A: Rufus Wainwright won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Album

Q: In 1996 Wainwright toured with who?
A: In 1996 Wainwright toured the UK as "Special Guest" of Kate & Anna McGarrigle.

Q: In December of 1998 he appeared in what commercial?
A: In December 1998, he appeared in a Gap commercial
In that commercial what did he perform?
performing Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". performing Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?". Gap performing Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?".
performing Frank Loesser's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?".