"Yes," confirmed Bo, who placed second to Carrie Underwood (featured last week in this corner) in last year’s edition of American Idol, "music is in my blood."
According to the press kit for his new album, The Real Thing (released by Sony/BMG), Harold ‘Bo’ Bice was born (on Nov. 1, 1975, in Huntsville, Alabama) to "song-singing, instrument-playing and music-worshipping parents." His father played the guitar, banjo and mandolin; while his mother and three cousins were in a group called Singing Jays.
"You know," said Bo in a 15-minute exclusive telephone interview (he was in L.A.) with Funfare a few days ago, "music has been an integral part of our family that we sort of take it for granted. I felt weird the first time I realized that not everybody could sing. I presumed that, like everybody in our family, everybody was a singer."
So it was inevitable that Bo would grow up writing songs, recording, producing and playing with this and that band. He has been doing it since he was in high school. He even worked once as a guitar-store manager.
"All those years," added Bo (who was so nice and so friendly on the phone), "I’d been fantasizing about success in the music industry."
His time has come.
The Real Thing was a labor of love – and a lot of sacrifices – in more ways than one. Perhaps not many of Bo’s fans know that before he started recording for the album, Bo was hospitalized for an emergency surgery to treat an intestinal blockage (the same ailment that hit Dayanara Torres early this year while she was on a plane to New York, prompting her to go straight to a hospital for immediate surgery).
The carrier single, The Real Thing, is described by Bo as a classic epic pop track which is "about a man saying to a woman, ‘I know you have these feelings and you’re not saying them and it looks like you want to say them’." Another song, Nothing Without You (written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and John Shanks) "comes complete with soaring hooks and powerful vocals that reflect the arena-rocking backgrounds of its creators." In short, according to Shanks, "The hook says that all of this means nothing without you. If you go through life without sharing it with someone you love, it’s meaningless."
Released in December last year, The Real Thing showcases the musical talent of Bo who wrote and co-wrote the rest of the songs with, among others, the likes of Clif Magness, Kara DioGuardi, Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Max Martin and Marti Frederickson, names which should be familiar to music buffs.
Here’s Funfare’s one-on-one with Bo Bice:
How is Bo Bice after the American Idol?
"I am who I am now because of American Idol and that’s very nice. The Real Thing wouldn’t have been possible if it were not for American Idol. It’s my first album under a major label. It has been a wonderful new life for me and I just love it!"
What are the pluses of being an American Idol?
"Well, I guess now people pay more attention to you and give you better deals. You know what I mean?"
And the minuses, if any?
"Not that many, really. I never look at anything as having a minus or a downside because there’s always a way to make the ‘downside’ conform to what you want better. But I was a bit worried about people not taking me seriously. I’m not a pop singer; I’m a rock singer. That was the only thing I was worried about."
Could you tell us more about The Real Thing?
"It has some Southern rock in it and a little bit of pop. It was great working with different producers and songwriters. I put only a couple of my original works in it. It was a lot different from doing an album that I would do myself, obviously. But I’m very grateful. I think the album is great and... enjoy it!"
So what genre do you want to specialize in?
"Well, you know, if I have any goal as a musician I want to be like Carlos Santana or someone like him. Santana has transcended so many genres. But for the moment, I’m happy and proud of what I’m doing."
Who are the artists who kind of influenced your style, your music?
"Jimi Hendrix is one of them. I’m a lover of music history and there are so many different aspects of music that I can learn from."
Of course, your parents have been a great influence, right?
"Oh yes, they are. They have extensive record collections. I was five years old when I bought my first album; it was by Steve Miller. Before long, I was adding Boston, Rolling Stones and the James Gang to my collection. On my ninth birthday, I received my first real guitar as a gift. That was not a little thing for a nine-year-old, you know. It cost $500 and that was a lot of money for my parents. I had that guitar around my neck all the time. It was that same year when I performed in public for the first time. I sang God Bless the USA in a talent contest at the Atlanta Civic Center."
What’s your all-time favorite song?
"Oh yes, it’s I Have To Say I Love You in a Song by Adrian James Croce."
Why that song? Does it have any significance in your life?
"I remember that song from way back. When I was very young, my mother used to play that song a lot. I became a big fan of James Croce because of that song. It was so tragic that we lost him at such a young age."
Aside from being steeped in music, what kind of family did you come from?
"I’ve got three sisters and one brother and they are all pretty rooted in music. We all have a love for music. But I’m the only one who plays any instrument, though. We grew up listening music to the radio all the time."
Before American Idol, what were you doing?
"Well, I was the manager of a guitar store back in Alabama and I was giving piano lessons to clerks. I was writing songs and making my own albums and doing about four or five shows a week."
What was your most memorable moment on American Idol?
"If I had any memorable moment, it would be the tour that we did together around the country. We had lots of fun."
You have lots of fans here in Manila. I’m sure the girls would like to know if you ever find time for your love life. Do you have a love life?
"Yes, of course! I’m married, I have a wife. We have one child, a seven-month-old boy."
When are you coming to the Philippines maybe for an album promo?
"Whenever you guys want me there, I will be there. I haven’t traveled over there but some members of my family have and they have good things to say about the Philippines. I would love to go there and to put on a good show there for you guys."
Any message for your fans here?
"Well, I want to thank them for their support. And God bless you all!"
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)