Bo Bice – Interview

The rest of the “American Idol” story you know. Bo made it into the top 24, then the top 12, and as the weeks went by and others were voted off, Bo remained. On the final episode, Bo was named runner-up to Carrie Underwood. He was signed to RCA Records and his first single, “Inside Your Heaven” / “Vehicle” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales chart.

We interview Bo Bice!

HIP: How is your new life as a father?

Bo Bice: It’s wonderful man, the best thing that ever happened to me.

How has fame been?

We’re just taking this all in stride. It’s continually a different day and a different town. We’re enjoying it.

What was it like growing up?

I was blessed. I had a great childhood and great parents that loved music and family. I moved from England when I was almost 18 and been on my own ever since and have been trying to make a living in the music business for the past twelve years. A lot of people say I’m an overnight success, but it’s an overnight success that’s been twelve years in the making.

Was there ever a point in your life that you almost gave up?

I was so happy and content with in life playing music. Music was always my first job and my day gig was my second job.

Some people give up and others stick it out and I wonder if those that make it do so because they had the determination the others didn’t.

I think it has a lot to do with determination. I treat people the way I want to be treated and believe if you work hard you can have the things you want in life.

In the past some of the idols said they weren’t allowed to have much input on their albums—did that happen to you?

That wasn’t an issue with me. Clive [Davis] was very open to ideas and we got a couple of my original things on the album and we did a dual disc series that had extra songs and four interviews. It was really a cool experience and I’m honored that Clive let me do that.

Was there pressure recording the album?

I don’t think there was a lot of pressure. We recorded thirty-six songs in forty-seven days. We were trying to work it and we are enjoying what we do. I wasn’t nervous or anxious—I was just trying to get my job done.

That’s a pretty manic pace.

Yeah man.

With all the years of playing were you able to hold up to the studio pace?

Yeah, playing anywhere from three to five gigs a week definitely [helped]. I think all the practice throughout the years and doing what I do paid off.

You got to working with other individuals you liked and idolized, what was that like?

To be able to work with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and Chad from Nickleback— you go from feeling like a new kid on the block to a legitimate peer. It was a bonus.

Did they see you as a guy from a reality show or as a musician?

A lot of them never really had any idea about me. It was cool to let them know what we were about and let the music speak for itself.

Is there significance to the album title “The Real Thing.”

That was a Clive thing. He kind of picked that out of tracks. I guess in a way it is kind of ironic coming from TV when we’ve been working our whole life and then to be known for TV. We’re just trying to prove to people that we are legitimate and a real rock show. I guess Clive was trying to throw something out there subliminal.

+ Charlie Craine