'Idol' worship
Contestant parlays TV success into music career
By JAMES BUESCHER, Correspondent
Sunday News
Published: May 27, 2007 12:01 AM EST
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa - A lot of performers have influenced former "American Idol" contestant Elliott Yamin, from icons like Stevie Wonder to more contemporary artists like Ray LaMontagne.
But the most surprising name on Yamin's list of musical inspirations is deceased singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley, a performer who never had a Top 10 hit but whose signature album has sold more than 2 million copies.
"Buckley has been a real inspiration to me. I love his voice, and I love his lyrics," Yamin said in a telephone interview Friday before a show in Philadelphia. "I've listened to his music so much over the years ... and all I can say is that, without a doubt, Buckley went too early.
"When it comes to my inspirations, I listen to the vocals and lyrics. I listen for unique sounds, and I listen for tones that can evoke emotions. Truly, it's the greats like Buckley who inspire me to write."
After finishing third last season on the hit Fox television program "American Idol" — during which judge Simon Cowell said he thought Yamin was "potentially the best male vocalist" ever on the show — Yamin began recording his self-titled debut album, which opened at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart in March.
To promote the record, Yamin will swing by Lancaster's Chameleon Club on Tuesday. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets cost $20.
Staying fresh
The period after Yamin's stint on "Idol" contained several challenges for him, including pulling together a management team that shared his career vision.
"The secret to success, I think, is to have the right people, to have the right managers and producers and PR folks; after all, it may be your career ... but maintaining it takes an army," Yamin said. "I wanted to make sure I spent as much time as I could assembling a team that could carry me through — not just for my first album, but for the next and the next and the next."
After signing with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and landing a record deal with the independent Hickory Records label, Yamin headed into the studio. His soulful first album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard independent charts and at No. 2 on the R&B charts.
"I love the record, but right now, I'm already setting my sights on what I want to accomplish next. For 'Elliott Yamin,' I knew I had to play things a little safe. But for my next one, I want to do something that's really left field," Yamin said.
"In this business, you absolutely have to be able to set yourself apart," he said. "And to do that, you have to stay fresh."
Working for a good cause
Perhaps even more compelling than the rise of Yamin, who had no vocal training and no real performance experience heading into "Idol," is the path he's taken since becoming a success. Yamin has used his newfound fame to bring attention to an issue he's been struggling with for years: When Yamin was 16 years old he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
"I am so busy these days, but I'm still dedicated to doing as much as I can for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Diabetes Association, both in terms of fundraising and as a spokesperson," Yamin said.
"I've donated the clothes I've worn on 'Idol' and onstage during the tour and anything I've been widely photographed wearing. I've also donated 'AI' memorabilia and autographs for fundraisers," he said. "But I don't feel I've done enough yet. There's just so much more to do."
Yamin said his vivid memories of those difficult early years after his diagnosis have inspired him to remain active and vocal in his work fighting the disease. He remains dedicated to doing charitable work, such as visiting children and teens at the ADA residential summer camp in Green Lane, near Allentown.
"Hanging out with those kids and sharing my story is really important to me," Yamin said. "It was always in my mind that if I actually made it far enough on 'American Idol' and the audience got familiar with me, I'd be able to let people know more about diabetes. I knew I could help bring it to the forefront and educate young people about this disease, which most people who don't have it don't really understand."
Rock star
One of the strangest things about being successful in the music business, Yamin said, is that he keeps receiving gifts out of nowhere, usually free clothes.
"I felt like one of the things I was working so hard for ... was to be able to get the big paychecks to have a really nice wardrobe. But now that I've had some success, I've found out that you end up getting most of your clothes for free. Honestly, people just give them to you, sometimes as outright gifts and other times as part of a 'swag bag,' gift bags you receive for doing a concert," he said.
"I also love that people give me free tickets to ballgames, which is wonderful," he said. "I had no idea this kind of stuff happened, that ... if you were successful, you wound up with all these crazy perks."
His top-selling album and association with the "Idol" phenomenon aside, Yamin said his goal is to just keep putting out "good quality music."
"I want to establish myself as a true artist, and I'm really looking forward to getting better in my songwriting and musicianship," Yamin said. "I'm enjoying being a pop star, and I love being so busy every day with this tour, promoting the record ... but that doesn't mean I want to lose sight of what got me to where I am in the first place.
"'American Idol' definitely helped in getting me where I am," he said. "But now I know that the rest is up to me."
For more information about Elliott Yamin's appearance at the Chameleon Club, call 393-7133.
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