Caleb Johnson – American Idol

By starrymag | May 29, 2014

Q) I just wanted to get an idea of your next few days because the National Memorial Day people in Washington, DC, said that you’re going to sing the national anthem there on Sunday, and then Jena said that you’re going to be at her prom the following Wednesday.  So, are both those true?  And you’re going to be on the plane back and forth a lot, or how are you going to do it?

A) Yes, I think I’m just going to be up in the air for a couple of days, just going back and forth, but it’s going to be so much fun, and I’m incredibly honored to be able to attend both events.  So, it’s going to be a lot of fun.

Q) Jena has called you her best friend, which I thought was really interesting, because you guys had a lot of gap, and you’re a lot of years apart, and different parts of the country.  Tell me, what is it about Jena, that say, makes her one of your best friends?

A) I mean, she’s absolutely amazing.  I mean, she—well, first of all is she’s a phenomenal singer and performer, and not only that, but she’s just got a huge, huge heart, and she’s so sweet, and funny, and kind, and we just kind of, for some reason, we just have this really weird, amazing connection where we just have so much fun together, and it’s just so much fun.  She’s incredible.

Q) Now you have an opportunity to record an album.  Have you begun talking about the kind of music that will be on it?

A) Yes, absolutely.  The record itself is going to be a really heavy, soulful, convicted, powerful, rock and roll record, with a lot of depth and again, a lot of soul.  I really want this to be an incredible and amazing experience, because I’m a big album fan, so I love full albums.  So, I don’t want this to be a singles, pop-based record. I mean, just because it is American Idol doesn’t mean I’m going to be a pop singer, or a pop-rock singer.  Like, this is going to be a legitimate rock and roll, all killer no filler record that—I really want it to make a really incredible impact in the music industry.  So, I’m really, really looking forward to recording and writing, and working with other writers, and just getting my band together and formed, and ready to go out there and just hit the ground running.

Q) Sort of like Daughtry, would you front a band?

A) Yes, absolutely.  Yes, to have the band, to form a band and have those be my band of brothers, where we’re going to be in it to win it until the end, and just write, and jam, and just have a good time

Q) Do you have any collabs set up?

A) At this point, I don’t know yet.  I mean, it’s all going to come really quickly, but I’m going to sit down with the people at the label soon, and just work it out, and make sure that they’re on the same page as me, and we all communicate and work together, and just make it happen, and make this a really incredible and amazing experience.

Q) Do you think that the rocker moniker that they gave you on the show, do you think that really fits you as an artist?  Obviously rock and roll is in your soul, but would you describe yourself any differently?  Any other fusion that you feel like maybe would have been a more accurate portrayal?

A) I think my time on the show really was amazing in that, I think every song that I did really portrayed me as the singer and performer and artist that I am.  And it was also really great, too, to do songs that aren’t necessarily rock songs, like the Adele “Skyfall,” or the Aretha Franklin “Chain of Fools,” or Lady Gaga, because it kind of showcased more of so that, whatever song I do, I can put my own stamp on it. I am a rock singer, and the records that I’m going to make are rock/soul records that have a lot of conviction and a lot of depth to them, and they’re just going to be heavy, because I just love heavy, bluesy rock and roll.

Q) Obviously, last week your vocal health was an issue.  You sounded great this week, but do you have any concerns about the tour, in terms of how you’re going to handle the demands on your voice, which shows every night?

A) Yes, absolutely.  I mean, I now have to just take it a different approach to not go 100 miles an hour, because this whole process has really kind of prepared me for what’s to come.  And so, I just have to take it very gently, and not overdo it, and conserve my energy and my voice and strength, because, I mean, this is really—this is the big leagues now, so I have to take care of my instrument. So, that really was a great learning experience for me, and I’m taking that to heed, and know that I’m human and that I can’t—under all the amount of stress and stuff, I have to be able to handle it well, and cope with it.  That way I will have a strong voice for every show that I do from now on.

Q) What’s your reaction to being the first really hard rocker to win Idol?

A) You know what?  I mean, I am just thrilled to death, because I was kind of unsure, because Idol is really, it’s a pop-based show with pop music and pop culture.  So, it was really cool that I was really well received by the judges and the audiences, and even the other contestants.  Like, they really enjoyed it, and it was so cool, because I sang stuff like Rush and Led Zeppelin and all kinds of these rock bands, and then I did, like, Adele and Aretha Franklin and stuff like that. So, it was just a really amazing and surreal moment that, you know, when I won, I was like, “Wow.  I cannot believe that I won American Idol.”  It’s just so surreal, and it’s an honor, and it’s amazing.

Q) After so many weeks of being judged yourself, how would you judge Ryan Seacrest’s singing last night?

A) You know what?  Actually, I really enjoyed it.  He actually did a really good job.  I loved that end note that he ended on, and I thought he did pretty well.

Q) After auditioning for Idol in the past, what made you come back and keep trying?

A) Really, the first two times I really was kind of unsure about the whole experience.  I kind of went into it without any experience, and just not a lot of time spent under my belt writing and performing and jamming with my band and stuff.  And so, the first two times, again, it was just a lack of experience. So, what I did was I took time off and just wrote and worked with my band, and toured, and did shows, and then when the time came this year, I felt like I was like, you know what?  I’m just going to give it one more shot, let’s see what happens, and let’s just go all out, guns blazing, and see what happens.  And now—the crazy thing is that I now just took the title home, and it’s just so incredible, and it’s an honor, and it’s insane.  It’s absolutely crazy.

Q) Your performance with Kiss was really incredible.  What did you feel like, performing with one of your biggest musical inspirations?

A) It was just really humbling, and such an honor to get to play with—literally, they are icons in rock.  I think they just got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and I great up listening and loving their music so much, and I’m, telling you, they were some of the nicest, most funniest people I’ve ever met.  So nice, they were really kind, and they had such great compliments of me, and it was just such a fun and incredible moment that it’s something that I’ll never forget, until the day I die.  It was just so much fun.

Q) Were you tempted to go full-on Kiss makeup, and were you a little bit envious of your brother that he did?

A) What was so funny was we asked—the producers, they asked me jokingly, and I said, you know what, I don’t think I could pull it off.  It was funny, the members of Kiss are so tall, like, I literally looked like a Hobbit compared to them onstage, because they’re these massive guys.  And yes, Houston is a huge, huge Kiss fan, and so when I found out that I was singing with them, I had to bring him onstage and let him see that, because I knew he would just be thrilled to death.  And so, I’m really glad that he got to experience that and meet them, and they were so nice, and humble, and generous, and hilarious.  So, I think it’s something that we’ll both never forget.

Q) Now, you had mentioned a little bit ago about having to take it easy now with your health.  Obviously, last week you were trying not to talk outside of performing.  So this week, kind of where are you at with your recovery?  Are you pretty much back to normal, or where are you at?

A) Not fully back, but I just have to conserve my energy, and I’ve got to get some more rest and stuff.  But yes, my voice hasn’t completely healed 100%.  There’s still a minor hemorrhage, but with good rest and just giving my voice a rest for a couple days, the doctor said that it should be fine.  But there is a risk that it can get worse if I over-use it.

Q) Obviously, after you won you did your single, “As Long As You Love Me.”  So, what do you think of your single and do you think it fits you well?

A) This is what’s really interesting about the Idol experience, is that it goes really quickly.  So, that song was given to me by the people from 19, and what was really cool was it was written by the guy, his name’s Justin Hawkins from the band The Darkness, and it was a really interesting song.  It was kind of a challenge, because we didn’t really have a lot of time to go through it that much.  It was like, we got the song, and then we had to go record it like two days later, and it was like a really fast process. But it was just a fun song, and I had a blast singing it on the show.  It’s just a fun rock and roll anthem kind of a song, but the record itself is going to be really, really heavy, and convicted, and it’s going to have a lot of soul, and a lot of depth, and it’s just going to be a big powerhouse monster record that I cannot wait to let people hear.

Q) What did you do after the show?  Did you get much sleep?

A) I just went back to the hotel and just hung out with my family, and then went to bed.  That was basically what the whole night entailed.  I was just really pooped out.

Q) Do you have a celebration in the works?  A party?

A) Yes, hopefully when I get a chance to go back home, I’m going to definitely do something with my family and friends, and just hang out, and enjoy the time that I’ll have back home, right before I do the tour, which I’m really excited about.

Q) What advice would you have for anyone wanting to audition for the show next year?

A) To just believe in yourself 100%, and just keep yourself grounded, and stay focused, and make sure that your artistry and your vision comes through when you sing and when you perform, and it will make a connection with people.

Q) The wide spread of support that comes around the country, how important is that as you’re going through the whole American Idol experience?

A)  It’s just an honor, and it’s extremely, extremely humbling to get the love and support from everyone.  I mean, I wouldn’t have made it this far on the show without the support from my fans, and friends, and family all across the nation, and it’s just been so overwhelming in the best possible way.  I mean, it’s incredible.  It’s amazing.

Q) And she said that the couple times that you had auditioned before and talked about how you went back with your band and to the Orange Peel, was it?  What from that time, what real single thing did you find that helped you the most when you came back this time, that took you all the way to the top?

A) Just to be driven, and to be focused, and stay on the path and the vision that you have, and just basically to not give up.  I mean, life—you only live one life, and whatever you believe strongly in, and whatever passion you have, you should max it out to the fullest, and just give it your all.

Q) Going back to when you auditioned for the third time, you had already kind of had a few American Idol losses.  Did you at any point think early in the competition that you could win this?

A) I didn’t know for sure, but I knew that after the first live show, I was like, man, you know what?  I can do this, I can buckle down, I can pull it together and just give the best possible performances that I possibly can, week after week.

Q) Do you think there’s anything in particular that you learned about yourself as an artist through the experience?

A) Yes, what’s so cool is that you learn so much—especially on this show, you learn so, so much about yourself, but it’s in such a short amount of time, and really it just helps you just really kind of get really in tune with who you are as a person, and as a singer, as a performer.  And then I think it really shows when you perform, how natural and how incredible that your soul can just come out when you sing for people, and it’s really a powerful thing.

Q) Do you have any regrets, or anything that you wish you had done differently while you were on American Idol?

A) Absolutely not.  I have had so much fun, and it was such an amazing and—I couldn’t have asked for anything more.  I mean, it’s been absolutely incredible, and I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.  It’s been such a joy and a pleasure and honor getting to sing on such a grand stage, and it was so much fun.

Q) What are you most looking forward to when you do the tour?

A) Just getting to go to the different cities, and perform for all the different audiences, and just have a blast, and just get to go out on the road, and get that music out there on the road, and just put on some great shows for everybody.

Q) Fans finally got to see the footage of Jena asking you to prom.  So, did you go to your own prom?  And how do you think it’ll feel to go back to high school?

A) You know what?  It’s going to be really funny, and it’s going to be maybe a little bit awkward, but we’re going to have a blast, and it’s definitely going to be a night that I’m not going to forget, and she’s not going to forget.

Q) Now that you’ve won and people all over the country know you, how do you think it will impact your dating life?

A) I don’t know.  I mean, right now, to be honest with you, I’m not going to have time at all to worry about dating or starting any kind of, like, long-term relationship right now, because it’s just like, everything going by so quickly, that once the record’s out and the tour is over with, and then the tour starts for the record that’s coming out August 12^th—I mean, hopefully I’ll get a chance to actually like take a second to relax and go out and have fun, but right now it’s all business and all about getting the best possible music out there to people.

Q) To put this in a little perspective this day, what were you doing a year ago today?

A) A year ago today I was out playing shows with my band, about three or four times a week doing gigs and stuff, out there hustling and writing and playing out.

Q) And you already had plans to do Idol or to try out?

A) Not necessarily.  I was really kind of focused about the band stuff.  But yes, I really was just driven and determined to make it in the music business.

Q) Do you watch the competition The Voice, and would you ever consider going on the same stage with, say, Josh Kaufman?

A) Yes, I guess.  I mean, I would be down to share any stage with anybody.  I love music, and I love just performing, and whoever I get to share the stage with, I’m down for anything.  So, I think that would be a lot of fun.

Q) And was there a discussion between you and Jena about which car you would get, or was it obvious?

A) Well, we actually get to pick whichever car—we get to pick any car, or any color, or whatever kind of car we want, so that was really crazy that when we saw the cars, and then they said, “Well, it’s your choice, so you can pick whichever one, any color, or whatever.”  So, we’re going to sit down and figure out which one we want.

Q) After you finish this tour, do you have any idea where you’re going to live?  I don’t know if you’re going to just probably stay in Nashville.  Have you thought about where you want to live, or are you just going to be a nomad?

A) That might be the case.  I don’t know for sure, but I really would love to come back to the East Coast and stay and live, because, I mean, that’s where my roots are, and that’s where I grew up.  It’s just insane, I mean—I would really love to come to stay in Nashville, and, I mean, even Atlanta or Asheville.  So, I don’t really know—where I would live would be is in the South, on the East Coast.

Q) Have you thought about what songs you’re going to sing for the tour, or have you even gotten to that point yet?

A) We haven’t gotten to that point yet, so it’s kind of crazy, but I think for the actual tour it’s going to be highlights from the show.  So, whatever the biggest moments I had on the show, I’ll be doing those songs.

Q) You and Jena have become really close, and very good friends this season.  Do you think you’ll ever work together, or do a duet on either of your albums?

A) You know what?  We talked about it.  We both love the idea, we would love to do that.  I think it would be great.

Q) Can you give us a little insight on your day of auditions, and what it was like for you, just for the people who will be auditioning this next season?

A) Just to rest and get sleep, and be prepared, and have a couple songs in your back pocket, because they’ll make you sing up between one to four songs.  So just be prepared, and be ready, and just go out there and have no nerves and kill it.

Q) Could you just take us back for a minute to what you were saying last night about the guitarist, the moment he said to you, “Hey, you’re a really good singer, you ought to do this seriously.”  How old were you when he said that to you?  Where did he hear you at the time?  And what happened then?

A) I think I was 17 years old, and he had a band in high school, and there was a talent show that was coming up.  And so, I think, from a mutual friend, somebody had told him that they heard me singing somewhere, and so he just came up to me and said, “Hey, man.  Would you be interested coming to my house and jamming,” and sing on some songs that he had written. So, I said, “Yes, sure.”  So, what happened was I went to his basement, and it was like a four-piece band that he had, and so we just kind of started jamming out, and he literally—I started singing a couple lines, and so he just literally lost it, and he called his parents down.  He said, “You guys have got to hear this guy sing, it’s incredible,” and they were freaking out and ecstatic. And so, then the night of the talent show, we were playing to a packed house, and I just got up onstage and sang the first line of the song, and like the crowd, just, like, erupted.  And so, like right there in that moment I was like, “Wow, this is what I want to do.  I think this is my calling.”  And so, from then on out it’s just been work, work, work and just honing in on my craft and my performing abilities and vocals, and just honing it in.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you?

A) I just want to thank everyone so much for joining me on this amazing, wild, thrilling journey, and I wouldn’t be here at the end of all this without the love and support from each and every one of you, and all of you are absolutely amazing.  I can’t wait to release a really kick butt record, coming out August 12^th, and it’s going to be so awesome and amazing. I also want to give a huge shout out to all the contestants.  I love each and every one of you guys.  It’s been amazing, and you’re now my second family, and Jena, it is such an honor and a pleasure to know you, and just get to share that stage at the end with you, and it was incredible.  I love everybody so much, and thank you all.

 

*CONFERENCE CALL*