Chris Richardson
history:For basketball player Chris Richardson, see Chris Richardson (basketball) ,
Soignies, Belgium |Origin = Chesapeake, Virginia |Occupation = Singer
Songwriter |Genre = Pop/Rock
R&B/Soul |Instrument = vocals
Guitar
Keyboard
drums |Label = |Genre =Pop, Rock, R&B |Years_active = 2007—present |Label = Cash Money |URL = }}
Christopher Michael "Chris" Richardson (born February 19, 1984) was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.
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.»Hampton Roads 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.TV »GuidebInfo (accessed March 30, 2007) His favorite male singers include Jason Mraz, JT, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. His favorite female artists are early 90s Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. He has a Bulldog named Tommy."Chesapeake Idol contestant stirs up fond memories among friends, family" By Larry Bonko and Phyllis Speidell. The Virginian-Pilot February 6, 2007. »http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118867&ran=181517 , Chris and fellow idol Blake Lewis had said on Chris' elimination night that they are best friends. Chris Richardson has also been spotted out with Lauren Conrad (The Hills).»http://www.tmz.com/2007/04/09/mtv-babe-snags-american-idol-hunk/
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. "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.'"
American Idol Performances during voting weeks
- Audition: A Song for You (originally sung by Leon Russell, covered by Donny Hathaway)
- Hollywood Week: I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know (originally sung by Donny Hathaway)
{|class="wikitable" align="left"
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Week #
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Theme
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Song Choice
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Original Artist
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Order #
|colspan="100" bgcolor="CCCCCC" align="Center"|Result
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 24 (12 Men)
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|N/A
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|I Don't Want to Be
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Gavin DeGraw
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|5
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 20 (10 Men)
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|N/A
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Geek in the Pink
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Jason Mraz
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|9
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 16 (8 Men)
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|N/A
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Tonight I Wanna Cry
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Keith Urban
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|4
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 12
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Diana Ross
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|The Boss
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Diana Ross
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|11
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 11
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|British Invasion
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Gerry & The Pacemakers
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|2
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Bottom 2
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 10
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|No DoubtArtists who inspire Gwen Stefani
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Don't Speak
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|No Doubt
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|10
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 9
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|American Classics
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Don't Get Around Much Anymore
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Duke Ellington
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|4
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 8
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Latin
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Smooth
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Santana feat. Rob Thomas
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|3
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Bottom 3
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 7
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Country
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Mayberry
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Rascal Flatts
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|5
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 6 (A)
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Inspirational
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Change the World
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Eric Clapton
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|1
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Safe
On May 19, 2007, Chris Sligh stated on his personal blog»http://frommymindtoyoureyes.blogspot.com/2007/05/tonight-was-great.html that he, Phil Stacey, and Chris Richardson will "be heading off to studios somewhere »the American Idols Live! Tour to work on »their debut major label records" and then added, "or at least it looks at this point like all 3 of »them will be on major labels."
He is working on his debut album, 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."[http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-tv-idol-richardson0503may03,0,7716291.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia Topic Galleries - dailypress.com]
On February 22, 2008, a new song leaked onto the internet from Richardson, entitled "All Alone." The song has since been 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»American Idol finalist Chris Richardson shares tour secrets - Celebrity and Entertainment News | TVGuide.com 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's joined Twitter and has posted updates on the recording process for his debut album.»Twitter.com Account
He also sang in the Season 9 finale of American Idol with other seasons' finalists in a tribute to Simon Cowell's last show.
(Non-Elimination Week)
|-
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Top 6 (B)
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Bon Jovi
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Wanted Dead or Alive
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Bon Jovi
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|5
|colspan="100" align="center" bgcolor="FAF6F6"|Eliminated
(Double Elimination Week)
|}
Post Idol
Richardson participated in the tour.
Discography
EPs
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!align="left"|Album Information
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|align="left"|Chris Richardson - EP
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Albums
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!align="left"|Album Information
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|align="left"|Chris Richardson
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Chris Richardson Interview on Fox News Radio]