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George Huff Offers
"A Brighter Day"
He was the guy with the big smile and even bigger voice on the third season of "American Idol." We're talking about
George Huff, the gentle young man with a big heart. Since his run on "American Idol" 2004 and the subsequent "American
Idol" tour, Huff has delivered an album in the vein of a BeBe Winans CD - inspirational music with an R&B twist.
The Word/Curb/Warner project, "Miracles," is in stores now, with the single "A Brighter Day" at radio.
And indeed, "Miracles" is the apropo title, as Huff, a native of New Orleans, witnessed miracles during the
ordeal surrounding Hurricane Katrina. His family's home was destroyed, and while some family members made it to Dallas before
Katrina hit, others stayed back and had to be rescued.
Huff's story is truly remarkable - it's the tale of how a young man went from washing dishes and making omelets at a small
Oklahoma college, to wooing fans worldwide with his heartfelt renditions of classic songs on "American Idol." He
made it into the Top 5, went on a whirlwind tour, recorded an album, faced adversity and came out a winner with an album he
hopes will touch others. "Miracles" is velvety smooth at the same time it is warm and inspiring. Sales from the
single, "A Brighter Day," are slated for hurricane relief efforts.
Huff spent a morning with Starpoynt last week, talking about the storm and his will to "make things better."
Star - What important lessons did you learn from the "American Idol" experience?
GH - I learned so many things from that experience. One thing is to appreciate every little thing that you take for granted.
I learned to take the criticism and apply it as positive energy to take with me. American Idol was like a boot camp. It was
nurturing and trained us for the real world once we were done with the show. I appreciated everything.
Star - Being from New Orleans, the last few months must have been trying for you. Talk about what happened to you and
what the future looks like for the city from your perspective.
GH - I am a native of New Orleans. I was living there when the hurricane hit. My family was down there, too. I had come
to Oklahoma to pick up my things from when I lived there after the show. Everyone said, "Stay where you are." We
got the family out of there. Most of my family made it out, but some like my dad stayed and the next thing they knew there
was four foot of water in the house. They ended up at the SuperDome and the stories they told were far more dramatic than
the media was able to portray. They witnessed shootings and a lot of chaos. We lost a lot of things. We were able to get some
things out, but not much. When you lose everything like that, you learn what's important and you learn to appreciate a lot
that you once took for granted.
As far as the future - they are going to rebuild. I would like to see in the future that when they rebuild it that it
is good and healthy living for our children. I hope they are able to keep a lot of that special culture of New Orleans and
make it a wonderful and safe place. I will go back to visit. That is my home. I'd like to be a part of the rebuilding process.
Most of my family, though, has relocated to Dallas.
Star - Talk about your background and how you came to be an "American Idol" contestant.
GH - I started singing in church when I was five. I went to college at the University of Oklahoma and was studying music
education, when my money ran out. I auditioned for "American Idol," but I didn't feel that I had what was needed
to success in the non-secular realm. I didn't look like an Usher and my ways were kind of country. I came back to Oklahoma
after I failed to make the cut of the final 32, and then "American Idol" called me back because someone had dropped
off. Out of all the people they could have chosen to call back, they brought me back. I was excited when Simon Cowell chose
me for his wildcard pick for the final 12.
Star - Do you play an instrument? Did you study music?
GH - I play the piano and am starting to learn the guitar. Yes, I can read music. I am writing some of my own stuff, so
I am excited about that. I didn't start taking voice and piano until about 1998. If time allows me to, I will go back and
finish my studies at the college level. I love what I do and stay very busy all the time. I pay people now, and that's very
different from where I came from where I was washing
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pots and pans to make ends meet. Now I'm able to employ someone, and that's kind of cool.
Star - Did something happen or at one point did you say, "I want to sing for a living"?
GH - I always loved singing. I could never escape it. But I always wanted to be in the background and teach young people.
But life pushed me to the forefront. I landed two major opera rolls before "American Idol," so I knew I was going
to be in the music world. I always dreamed of being a star, but I didn't have a high level of self-esteem. I was the Steve
Urkle in school. I shied away from the spotlight a lot.
Star - You have such a classic R&B voice. What made you decide to do an inspirational CD rather than go the R&B
route?
GH - There are a lot of R&B elements on the CD. Lyrically, I chose to go inspiration because - although a lot of R&B
music is positive - when I think about everything that has happened in America in the past few years, I think of all the people
that have to go through living life so hard, that they have to think of family members lost or family members living in danger
in Iraq. I wanted to give people inspiration. Little did I know my own family would have to go some trying times, as well
as myself, with Hurricane Katrina. I think people need to hear my music now and feel some inspiration.
Star - At times you may have felt like quitting or giving up - what would keep you going?
GH - When I thought about how my mom raised four kids on her own, how she made sure we had everything we needed. She may
not been able to give us everything we wanted, but we always had what we needed. I think about if she could get up and do
it, then I could, too. She always kept pushing and persevering.
Star - As someone who has been there, who was once a no-name with a song and a dream - what's the best advice you can
give to those still trying to make their way into the music industry?
GH - Be true to the service of what kind of music you want to do. You will be happy whether you make it or not. I love
to just sing. I dedicate myself to perfecting that and I had some hard times, but the doors opened for me when the time was
right. Appreciate where you are, yet don't stop giving up.
Star - Who's in your CD player (iPod) these days?
GH - Tweet. I keep on listening to "Taxi." If I could meet her, I would sit at the piano and play it and have
her sing it just for me. I also am listening to Kirk Franklin's new CD, "Heroes," and of course my own CD.
Star - Talk about your new album. What are some of your favorite tracks?
GH - "Real Love." "Feels Like Heaven." "You Know Me." "Miracles." "A Brighter
Day." "Count On You." I co-wrote five songs - "A Brighter Day," "Feels Like Heaven." "Bounce."
I like to call it inspirational soul with an R&B texture in it. The R&B feel works well with my voice.
Star - What kind of promotions has Word/Warner put together to get the word out about your album?
GH - Interviews, interviews, interviews! We're doing radio and I'm doing mall tour dates. The single is "A Brighter
Day" and I'm getting air play on Gospel as well as some mainstream stations. I'm being patient because I know I have
to build my career. I'm learning a lot about promoting as we go and that's helping me be patient.
Star - What can we expect from George Huff in the future?
GH - You'll see me on some television shows, such as Bobby Jones, Jeff Majors and I know I'm involved in a Christmas special.
I'm going on some more tours. Also, look out for me on some sitcoms. I can't wait to act and let some of this crazy energy
out.
For more info on George Huff, go to www.georgehuffworld.com
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