Chris Richardson

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For basketball player Chris Richardson, see Chris Richardson (basketball)
Chris Richardson

Chris Richardson performing as part of the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
Background information
Birth name Christopher Michael Richardson
Born (1984-02-19) February 19, 1984 (age 28)
Soignies, Belgium
Origin Chesapeake, Virginia, United States
Genres Pop, rock, R&B
Occupations Singer-songwriter
Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboard, drums
Years active 2007—present
Labels Cash Money Records, Universal Republic
Website chrisrichardsonmusic.com

Christopher Michael "Chris" Richardson (born February 19, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.

Contents

[edit] Personal life

Richardson was born in Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Hospital in Belgium to Phyllis and Danny Richardson. His father spent 20 years in the Air Force.[1] Richardson moved to Chesapeake, Virginia, in 1999. He admitted during the March 6, 2007 edition of American Idol that he used to be overweight as a child and teenager. He has lost roughly forty pounds and has become more health conscious; it is reported that he was always motivating his fellow Idols to work out and care about their health and appearance. He graduated from Great Bridge High School in 2002 and studied music composition at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, for a year, playing football there as well. He continued his musical studies at Tidewater Community College. Before Idol, Richardson was a kitchen supervisor for a Hooters restaurant.

Chris plays guitar, drums and piano.[2] His favorite male singers include Jason Mraz, JT, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. His favorite female artists are early 1990s Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. He has a Bulldog named Tommy.[3]

Chris and fellow idol Blake Lewis had said on Chris' elimination night that they are best friends.

On January 9, 2012 he signed to Birdman's label Cash Money Records.[4]

[edit] American Idol

Richardson had auditioned for American Idol in two previous seasons before being cast on season 6. Richardson auditioned in New York, holding number 8963. The judges warmed to him, and he got through the audition process. Richardson was grouped with Paul Kim and AJ Tabaldo in the Hollywood group round.

During American Idol, Chris received many comparisons to Justin Timberlake, including from judge Randy Jackson. But, he adds, those who've drawn the connection should listen to his album when it comes out and then decide if it still holds.[citation needed] "To be even mentioned in the same sentence as someone so successful, it's great," Richardson told the Associated Press on Thursday the day after his elimination in a phone interview. "They might be surprised whenever I come out with my album, that it's completely different than his. So that's when other people might one day be, like `Hey, you sort of sound like Chris Richardson.'"[cite this quote]

[edit] American Idol Performances

Week # Theme Song Choice Original Artist Order # Result
Top 24 (12 Men) N/A I Don't Want to Be Gavin DeGraw 5 Safe
Top 20 (10 Men) N/A Geek in the Pink Jason Mraz 9 Safe
Top 16 (8 Men) N/A Tonight I Wanna Cry Keith Urban 4 Safe
Top 12 Diana Ross The Boss Diana Ross 11 Safe
Top 11 British Invasion Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying Gerry & The Pacemakers 2 Bottom 2
Top 10 No Doubt/Artists who inspire Gwen Stefani Don't Speak No Doubt 10 Safe
Top 9 American Classics Don't Get Around Much Anymore Duke Ellington 4 Safe(Middle 3)
Top 8 Latin Smooth Santana feat. Rob Thomas 3 Bottom 3
Top 7 Country Mayberry Rascal Flatts 5 Safe
Top 6 (A) Inspirational Change the World Eric Clapton 1 Safe
(Non-Elimination Week)
Top 6 (B) Bon Jovi Wanted Dead or Alive Bon Jovi 5 Eliminated
(Double Elimination Week)

[edit] Post Idol

Richardson participated in the Season 6 tour along with the rest of the Top 10 after Season six ended.

He started working on his debut album after the tour, then tentatively titled Come Right Back to You, which he said will be a mix of both rock, soul/R&B. "It'll be a mixture of a Maroon 5 sound with a little bit of Jason Mraz," said Richardson. "I love rock and roll but I have this soulful type voice and I just like to infuse both of them."[5]

On February 22, 2008, a new song leaked onto the internet from Richardson, entitled "All Alone." The song was then released commercially, being available on iTunes among other places. Richardson performs the song on over 30 radio/tv stations as part of his 10 city tour, sponsored by Dreyers. On May 20, 2008, the album was put on the fast track and was recorded in LA, Miami and Virginia. Producers include Ill Factor (Matisyahu, Ginuwine, Ricky Martin), Brent Paschke (Gwen Stefani, Jesse McCartney, Backstreet Boys)and Troy "Radio" Johnson (Will Smith).

Richardson co-wrote the track "What'cha Got 2 Lose?" on Blake Lewis' debut album A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream), as well as the bonus track "Human" released exclusively via iTunes. He has also said in an interview[6] that he has written songs for winner Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey and plans on writing with Gina Glocksen.

On April 19, 2008, Richardson appeared as a surprise guest at Jason Mraz's "Music, Magic, and Makepeace Tour". He sang a duet with Mraz called "Geek in the Pink". On March 20, 2009, Richardson was the opening act for Josh Hoge in New York City at the Canal Room, performing a couple of songs (including his iTunes single, "All Alone").

In May 2009, he appeared on the red carpet for the American Idol finale, as well as a "Relay for Life" charity event at Currituck County High School. He also sang in the Season 9 finale of American Idol in 2010 with other seasons' finalists in a tribute to Simon Cowell's last show.

In 2011, Richardson collaborated with Tyga on the single "Far Away". The single was released on May 17, 2011 and reached number 86 in Billboard Hot 100.

In 2012, Richardson signed a record deal with YMCMB.[7]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • "Chris Richardson - EP" Released June 12, 2007

[edit] Singles

  • "All Alone" Released March 12, 2008
  • "Floating Off the Ground" Released November 1, 2009
  • "In The Name of Love" Released January 12, 2012

[edit] Featured singles

Year Single Chart Positions Album Sales
US
2011 "Far Away" (Tyga feat. Chris Richardson) 86[8] Careless World: Rise of the Last King

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hampton Roads
  2. ^ TV GuidebInfo (accessed March 30, 2007)
  3. ^ "Chesapeake Idol contestant stirs up fond memories among friends, family" By Larry Bonko and Phyllis Speidell. The Virginian-Pilot February 6, 2007. [1][dead link]
  4. ^ http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/video-birdman-welcomes-chris-richardson-to-cash-money
  5. ^ Topic Galleries - dailypress.com
  6. ^ American Idol finalist Chris Richardson shares tour secrets - Celebrity and Entertainment News | TVGuide.com
  7. ^ http://alldmvhiphop.com/profiles/blogs/birdman-ymcmb-sign-va-native-and-former-american-idol-contestant-
  8. ^ Tyga featuring Chris Richardson
  9. ^ Mansfield, Brian (2012-01-25). "'Idol' downloads: Clarkson, Alaina, Underwood, more". Idol Chatter. USA Today. http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/01/Kelly-Clarksons-track-sales-get-Stronger-by-the-week-612765/1. Retrieved January 25, 2012. 

[edit] External links
Top 12 finalists
Other sources
Artists
Former artists
Record labels
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