Music
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By Jeff Maisey
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 18, 2008
It seems that Chesapeake is becoming a new breeding ground for "American Idol."
"Align," a pop-rock tune penned by James Smithson, has been chosen as one of 20 finalists in the American Idol Songwriters competition.
Voters have until Wednesday to listen to the songs and select their favorite online at www.AmericanIdol.com.
Smithson, who works at Regent University as an audio technician, became a full-fledged "American Idol" fan when fellow Chesapeake resident Chris Richardson got into the singing-performance competition last season.
When he learned of the songwriting contest, he didn't hesitate to enter.
"Align" was a song he had previously written when he toured as a hired road musician for little-known bands out of Nashville. Should "AI" select the song as the winner, Smithson will receive a publishing deal - a coup for any composer - and "Align" will be recorded by the winner of this season's "American Idol" competition.
Smithson has recorded an EP under the name Julian Sky. He is also married and a father of three youngsters, ages 5, 3 and 9 months. He has guarded optimism regarding the contest but is prepared for any financial success a win might bring.
"I think it would help pay for the kids and hopefully enrich their lives," Smithson said. "And I would love to keep writing and produce. That's where my heart's at."
Hear more of his material at www.juliansky.com.
- The Virginian-Pilot
Discography
julian sky EP available at:
juliansky.com
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Bio
not so recent news: i'm very fortunate to have been in the top 20 of the american idol songwriter contest season 7.
i've spent a lot of time playing bass for bands and artists trying to help them express their faith, hopes, dreams and fears. while playing, i felt a void in not sharing my own. i remember playing the bass line to sky machine at cohen stadium in el paso during a sound check. i wanted to see at least a couple of people moving to the song i heard in my head. i to wanted to change the world with some brilliant lyric given to me. very noble, but kind of hard to do with one instrument. while still on the road, i started recording in my roomate's home studio on breaks. this became the beginning of many songs.
i remember calling my brother from another gig in bakersfield discouraged from not finding a front person. every singer i found was singing their own material, so i had to start woodsheding. i had no other ambition for "these meanings" other than to set them free and hope they resonate with a few others. i was frightened at the thought of singing, but i felt a responsiblity to cultivate the creativity God placed in me. some people are given 5 talents. my mission here was to not bury the one He had given me.
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