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CHRIS RICHARDSON

For American Idol alum Chris Richardson, who placed Top 5 in the most recent edition of the popular show, life has been a whirlwind ever since. He is currently working on his debut album in Miami with Grammy-nominated producer Ill Factor (Ivan Corraliza), whose credits include Justin Timberlake, Ginuwine, k-OS, Ricky Martin, David Banner, Matisyahu, Trick Daddy, Kasabian and JC Chasez. A new track, the soulful “All Alone,” which was leaked on the Internet, will be the first single from the disc.

“The song starts out kind of soft-hearted,” he explains, “but by the time you get to the chorus, the anger begins to come out. I wrote it as a cautionary tale. If you mess up in a relationship, you will be left all alone. I think it’s something people can relate to.”
As the man known to his fans as Chris Rich explains, being part of the Idol phenomenon can be a double-edged sword. “The exposure and the fan base you acquire can really push your career forward, the doors open for you,” he explains. “On the other hand, there are labels that don’t take you seriously. You always have to fight that perception, but looking back on the experience, I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
Born in Belgium, the son of a career Air Force Noncommissioned Officer, Richardson has been writing and performing songs since he was in his teens, growing up in the Virginia Beach, VA, area, a hotbed for musicians, including Timbaland, the Neptunes, Missy Elliott and Chris Brown. A three-sport high school star who played football, basketball and baseball, Richardson eventually chose a musical path, learning to play guitar, drums and keyboards as well as sing and write. At 20, he was first runner up in a local talent contest, where one of the judges was producer Teddy Riley, who immediately put him into a studio to record. Just before going on Idol, Chris was asked by Timbaland if he would like to be on the best-selling Shock Value album in his Virginia Beach-based Thomas Crown Studios, but due to the show he couldn’t. Did we know this???While auditioning for the program, Richardson’s combination of rock and soul, along with his sweet falsetto, inspired judge Randy Jackson to compare him to Justin Timberlake, which Chris doesn’t mind one bit.

“I guess it could be worse,” he laughs. “After all, he’s tremendously successful, a real talent. But I’m not Justin Timberlake. I may be influenced by him, but when people hear this album, they will realize we’re completely different.”

Indeed, Richardson insists that Donny Hathaway is his favorite all-time singer, which explains why he sang Leon Russell’s “A Song for You” (memorably covered by Hathaway) for his audition and the singer’s “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” during Hollywood Week.

As for his song choices during the competition, Richardson says he wanted to sing more current songs, “music that I listen to now and would enjoy performing. I wanted to connect to the audience as someone who could combine rock with R&B.”

He did just that, singing Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want to Be” and Jason Mraz’s “Geek in the Pink,” as well as a wide range that included songs by country stars Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts, soul diva Diana Ross, British Invasion band Gerry and the Pacemakers, jazz icon Duke Ellington and rockers Eric Clapton, Santana and Bon Jovi.

“Being on Idol taught me how to display my talent and connect to an audience,” he says. “You learn who accepts you for what you are and who doesn’t, because you either continue on the show or you’re voted off. I tried to stay on as long as possible, so I could show everything I could do as an artist.”

To that end, Richardson has honed his songwriting skills, working with a number of fellow Idol alums. He co-wrote a pair of songs for Blake Lewis’ debut album (“What’cha Got 2 Lose?” and the iTunes exclusive “Human”), as well as for Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey. After his convincing performances of songs by Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts, Chris has also received feelers from the country community to work in Nashville.

“My first priority is to be a performer, but I love to write,” he says. “I may write a song in the studio that’s not right for me, but would be wonderful for someone else. Being known as a songwriter builds my credibility as an artist. You want to show people everything you’re capable of.”

As for the immediate future, Richardson is prepared to put his money where his mouth is and build his own career outside the major label system, if necessary. He recently went out on a 10-city promotional tour sponsored by Dreyer’s and Edy’s Grand Ice Cream that enabled him to visit several Top 40 radio stations and perform a number of in-stores.

“The way things are in the music industry today, You have to do things on your own,” he says. “I’m prepared to go the independent route. I’d love one day to have my own label. Look at Elliott Yamin. He’s probably making more money as an indie than he would on a major record company.”

His new album will reflect the artists he considers his favorites, which include Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, James Brown and Michael Jackson, as well as Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera. And one day, he hopes his name his mentioned in the same breath, and not necessarily associated with his stint on American Idol.

“I hope, over time, people will know me for something other than that,” he admits. “Look at Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry. They’ve managed to transcent that and succeed on their own. I just want to do something different, something that will surprise people.”

Chris Richardson is already starting to do just that. It sure appears that American Idol was just the beginning for him of what promises to be a long, successful career as a recording artist, performer and songwriter.
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" The sounds of the sea, Christmas music...yea gets me hot. A little Jingle Bells!"

Iput all the Chris parts in blue for easier reading.

I feel like I never heard that whole thing about Chris being asked to be on that album. Did you guys all know about that?
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" The sounds of the sea, Christmas music...yea gets me hot. A little Jingle Bells!"

I had no idea about that MWOL. I mean I knew that he was working in Tim's studio and things and he was in that behind the scenes vid but HE COULD HAVE BEEN ON THAT ALBUM!!! Ugh!

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I had no idea!
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*Laura Ashley*

Best Day of My Life!

Second Best Day of My Life!

Is this legit? I can't quite figure it out. Its kinda ike Wikipedia, people can go edit it. But it seems like someone at least interviewed him?

and OMG Timbalands album >.<
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<3 Heather

Chris Rich:: 5/1, 5/21, 5/22, 5/23, 6/2, 7/20, 7/22, 7/23, 1/30, 2/27, 3/2, 5/14, 10/15, 1/16, 1/17, 5/13, 5/19::

i didn't know he was gonna be on timba's album. but i remember he once vaguely mentioned in an interview that he was "set to work" with timba, but then the idol thing happened, so he went with that.
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Great find MWOL - like others I knew he was working with Timbaland, but not he had to giveup a shot like that to got to Idol.
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<a href="http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z92/mandyeames/Chris%20banners%20and%20siggys/?action=viewÂ ¤t=untitled.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z92/mandyeames/Chris%20banners%20and%20siggys/untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Thanks for the find MWOL!!! I agree with the others about Timbaland....I had no idea he gave that up for idol! It must have been a hard decision at the time but so worth it now! Wink

What a great interview!! Just made my day!!!
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I didn't know he was asked to be on Shock Value. But I think Idol was the better route for him. He has a fanbase now, something he probably wouldn't have if he made a cameo on someone's album. Thanks for posting, MWOL!
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~Hoarie & Panthoar with Secks & Gokes - August 1st and 2nd, 2009~
We came, we saw, we conquered.

Avi by ONTD | Secks siggy by Pink Panthoar

Storie wrote:

My thoughts EXACTLY Storie - we (THE RICHNESS) wouldn't have formed had Chris not been not been on Idol - that's heartbreaking to even imagine! Shocked

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<a href="http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z92/mandyeames/Chris%20banners%20and%20siggys/?action=viewÂ ¤t=untitled.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z92/mandyeames/Chris%20banners%20and%20siggys/untitled.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Yeah, like you guys, I knew he worked with Timba but not about the album. If you go to that website, they actually have lots of Chris goodies... pics and vids, etc.
We should send them Richness info so we can be under the section of Chris related items. May generate more members.
Speaking of members, maybe in the enrollment process we could include something that asks how they heard about The Richness so we can get an idea where we are generating our publicity the most. Just a thought.
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" The sounds of the sea, Christmas music...yea gets me hot. A little Jingle Bells!"

What a great idea, Mwol!!! And a great find! I seem to remember him saying something, or maybe a rumor or something, about an opportunity to sign or an album or something before Idol but he decided to go the Idol route? This must have been what he was talking about? confused

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[

*Avi made by Jenlar
*Quote in siggy from Mr. David Cook on Leno 5/22/08 Smile

GREAT idea MWOL - Smile

I've started to try and ask new members in introduce yourself how they heard about us, but maybe we could make that a requirement when they sign on or something? shrug

What a great article. That's crazy that he was asked to be on Shock VAlue!! He should go back and find Tim and be like Ok lets work together now!! lol

But my question mostly is where is this album he recorded at 20????
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I had no idea about the album! I am glad he chose Idol though, because all us non-virginia-ns would probably not know of him! so YAY for IDOL on that one! clap

Thanks for sharing the article MWOL! and thanks for putting what he says in blue!
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<a href="http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll188/GeE-BaBy-918/Amanda%20my%20angel/?action=view¤t=amand ainheavencopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll188/GeE-BaBy-918/Amanda%20my%20angel/amandainheavencopy.jp g" border="0" alt="My Angel"></a>

**DISCLAIMER** The views and opinions expressed on or off this board by members are in no way related to the views and opinions of The Richness as a whole. Our sole purpose is promoting and supporting Chris Richardson.

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