Chris Richardson
{{short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1984)}}
{{For|basketball player Chris Richardson|Chris Richardson (basketball)}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Chris Richardson
| image = Chris Richardson cropped.JPG
| caption = Richardson performing as part of the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
| birth_name = Christopher Michael Richardson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1984|2|19}}
| birth_place = Soignies, Belgium
| origin = Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
| occupation = Singer-songwriter
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|keyboard|drums}}
| genre = {{hlist|Pop|rock|R&B}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = {{hlist|Cash Money Records|Republic}}
}}
Christopher Michael Richardson (born February 19, 1984) is an American singer-songwriter who 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 United States Air Force.{{cite web|url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118867&ran=181517 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231917/http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118867&ran=181517 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-26 |title=ARTICLE: Chesapeake Idol contestant stirs up fond memories among friends, family (The Virginian-Pilot - HamptonRoads.com/PilotOnline.com) |access-date=2020-04-03}} 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 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/detail/celebrity.aspx?tvobjectid=286847&more=ucCele |title=Chris Richardson Reality-show contestant |website=Tvguide.com |date=2007-08-24 |access-date=2020-04-03}} His favorite male singers include Jason Mraz, Justin Timberlake, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. His favorite female artists are early 1990s Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera. He has a Bulldog named Tommy.
Chris and fellow idol Blake Lewis had said on Chris' elimination night that they are best friends.
On April 11, 2016, he and girlfriend, Maryfrances Jerez, welcomed a baby girl.{{Citation needed|date=August 2016}}
''American Idol''
Richardson had auditioned for American Idol in two previous seasons before being cast on season 6. Richardson auditioned in New York City, 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. "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.'"{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/richardson-ok-timberlake-comparison-wbna18475784 |title=Richardson OK with Timberlake comparison |publisher=Today|date=May 4, 2007 |access-date=February 1, 2022}}
=American Idol Performances=
- 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" style="float:left;" |
| style="text-align:Center; background:#ccc;"
| colspan="100"|Week # | colspan="100"|Theme | colspan="100"|Song Choice | colspan="100"|Original Artist | colspan="100"|Order # | colspan="100"|Result |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
| colspan="100"|Top 24 (12 Men) | colspan="100"|N/A | colspan="100"|I Don't Want to Be | colspan="100"|Gavin DeGraw | colspan="100"|5 | colspan="100"|Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
| colspan="100"|Top 20 (10 Men) | colspan="100"|N/A | colspan="100"|Geek in the Pink | colspan="100"|Jason Mraz | colspan="100"|9 | colspan="100"|Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
| colspan="100"|Top 16 (8 Men) | colspan="100"|N/A | colspan="100"|Tonight I Wanna Cry | colspan="100"|Keith Urban | colspan="100"|4 | colspan="100"|Safe |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 12
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Diana Ross | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|The Boss | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Diana Ross | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|11 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Safe |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 11
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|British Invasion | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Gerry & The Pacemakers | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|2 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Bottom 2{{ref|1|1}} |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
| colspan="100"|Top 10 | colspan="100"|No Doubt/Artists who inspire Gwen Stefani | colspan="100"|Don't Speak | colspan="100"|No Doubt | colspan="100"|10 | colspan="100"|Safe |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 9
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|American Classics | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Don't Get Around Much Anymore | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Duke Ellington | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|4 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Safe |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 8
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Latin | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Smooth | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Santana feat. Rob Thomas | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|3 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Bottom 3{{ref|2|2}} |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 7
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Country | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Mayberry | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Rascal Flatts | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|5 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
| colspan="100"|Top 6 | colspan="100"|Inspirational | colspan="100"|Change the World | colspan="100"|Eric Clapton | colspan="100"|1 | colspan="100"|Safe |
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Top 6{{ref|3|3}}
| colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Bon Jovi | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Wanted Dead or Alive | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Bon Jovi | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|5 | colspan="100" style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"|Eliminated |
- {{note|1|Note 1}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in the particular night, Richardson was in the bottom two but declared safe when Stephanie Edwards was eliminated.
- {{note|2|Note 2}} Richardson was saved first from elimination.
- {{note|3|Note 3}} Due to the Idol Gives Back performance, the Top 6 remained intact for another week.
Post ''Idol''
Richardson participated in the Season 6 tour along with the rest of the Top 10 after Season six ended.
He started working on his debut album after the tour, then 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]{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
On February 22, 2008, a new song leaked onto the internet from Richardson, entitled "All Alone." The song was then 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 Breyers. On May 20, 2008, the album was put on the fast track and was recorded in Los Angeles, Miami and Virginia. Producers include Ill Factor, Brent Paschke and Troy "Radio" Johnson.
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 that he has written songs for winner Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey and plans on writing with Gina Glocksen.[http://www.tvguide.com/news/idol-chris-richardson/070824-01 American Idol finalist Chris Richardson shares tour secrets - Celebrity and Entertainment News | TVGuide.com]
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 Hodge in New York City at the Canal Room, performing a couple of songs, including "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 also sang in the ninth season finale of American Idol in 2010 with other seasons' finalists in a tribute to Simon Cowell's last show.
In 2011, Richardson collaborated with Tyga on the single "Far Away". The single was released on May 17, 2011 and reached number 86 in Billboard Hot 100.
In 2012, Richardson signed a record deal with Cash Money Records and Republic Records.{{cite web |url=http://alldmvhiphop.com/profiles/blogs/birdman-ymcmb-sign-va-native-and-former-american-idol-contestant- |title=Birdman & YMCMB Sign VA Native and Former American Idol Contestant Chris Richardson - All DMV Hiphop |access-date=2012-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628152857/http://alldmvhiphop.com/profiles/blogs/birdman-ymcmb-sign-va-native-and-former-american-idol-contestant- |archive-date=2012-06-28 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/#A |title=Artists |website=Republicrecords.com |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/video-birdman-welcomes-chris-richardson-to-cash-money |title=Video: Birdman Welcomes Chris Richardson To Cash Money |website=Complex.com |date=2012-01-09 |access-date=2020-04-03}}
In January 2012, he released the single "In the Name of Love" which was followed by a music video.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAhDdT7O8QM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/KAhDdT7O8QM |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=CHRIS RICHardson "In the Name of Love" Official Video |publisher=YouTube |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cbignore}}
Later that year, he released his official debut single "Joy & Pain" featuring Tyga on August 28, 2012.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/joy-pain-feat-tyga-single/1445310484 |title=Joy & Pain (feat. Tyga) - Single by Chris Richardson on Apple Music |website=iTunes |date=January 2012 |access-date=2020-04-03}}
In mid-2012 it was announced that Universal Republic Records was going defunct, making Richardson and other artists move to Republic Records making the label itself revived.{{cite web |url= http://www.republicrecords.com/artists/artist_single.aspx?aid=7696 |title= Chris Richardson now with Republic Records|website=Republicrecords.com|access-date=November 24, 2012 }}
In 2013, he released two new songs "Collecting"{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=337552677821091843|date=23 May 2013|title=Just got 2 videoS back finalized!! #Collecting #WhyYouMad it's about to be trouble.}} and "Why You Mad"{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIT8f4CcJWk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/KIT8f4CcJWk |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Why You Mad feat. Caskey |publisher=YouTube |date=2013-08-07 |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cbignore}} which were followed by a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 to help fund a mixtape and tour which did not make its goal.{{cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrisrichproject/chris-richardson-the-collecting-tour-and-mixtape |title=Chris Richardson ... The Collecting Tour and Mixtape by Chris Richardson — Kickstarter |website=Kickstarter.com |access-date=2020-04-03}}
In 2015, he announced that he and YMCMB had parted ways{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=553640087049998336|date=9 January 2015|title=I'll put out music when I feel like I'm not just giving it away w/ "0" push...I'll give you a story • I'll give you me • I'm different}}{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=553641967876595713|date=9 January 2015|title=And to my fans who have been patiently waiting for years for music from me, it's politics and label decisions...but '15 will be different}}{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=553642405560610816|date=9 January 2015|title=We are all going through lifeand it's ups and downs... Don't think there isn't a story behind all of this, cause there is.}} and that he'd be releasing his music independently.{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=573172422767185921|date=4 March 2015|title=Putting together my own album/artwork/band and putting it out...Pretty much sums it up. #artistLife}} Additionally, he announced work on two EPs: Press Play{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/xpR40QGXlr/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/xpR40QGXlr |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=registration|title=Chris Richardson on Instagram: "EP 2015 #pressPlay" |website=Instagram.com |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cbignore}} and Murder She Wrote.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/xpgWnUGXhI/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/xpgWnUGXhI |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=registration|title=Chris Richardson on Instagram: "EP part 2 #MurderSheWrote #pressPlay #turnOnVolume" |website=Instagram.com |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cbignore}} Later that year, he was featured on the international single "Bigger Better Faster" with Follow Your Instinct and Busta Rhymes which hit the Top 3 in Japan.{{cite tweet|user=OfficialFYI|author=Follow Your Instinct|number=632283180616298496|date=14 August 2015|title=Top5 in Japan🇯🇵 with @BustaRhymes and @ImChrisRich #biggerbetterfaster @OfficialFYI @AddisAkaRaptile @ElaLionezz}} On December 7, 2015, he premiered a cover of Bryson Tiller's hit "Don't" on his official media handles which garnered positive reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSOtuTGL-nA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/OSOtuTGL-nA |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=CHRIS RICHardson (Official Cover) - Bryson Tiller (Don't) |publisher=YouTube |date=2015-12-07 |access-date=2020-04-03}}{{cbignore}} His new single "Rear View" will be released on February 19, 2016.{{cite tweet|user=ImChrisRich|author=Chris Richardson|number=698272422177411073|date=12 February 2016|title=The #RearView Project #RT}}
Discography
=Albums=
- Chris Richardson - EP (June 12, 2007)
- Press Play - EP (TBA 2016)
- Murder She Wrote - EP (TBA 2016)
=Singles=
- "All Alone" (March 12, 2008)
- "Floating off the Ground" (November 1, 2009)
- "In the Name of Love" (January 12, 2012)
- "Far Away" (featuring Tyga) (July 31, 2012)
- "Joy and Pain" (featuring Tyga (August 28, 2012)
- "Collecting"
- "Why You Mad" (featuring Caskey) (August 7, 2013){{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/premiere-chris-richardson-caskey-why-you-mad |title=Premiere: Chris Richardson Feat. Caskey 'Why You Mad' Video |website=Vibe.com |date=2013-08-07 |access-date=2020-04-03}}
- "Bigger Better Faster" (with Follow Your Instinct & Busta Rhymes) (2015)
- "Rear View" (February 19, 2016)
=As featured artist=
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.ChrisRichardsonMusic.com Official website]
- {{IMDb name|2554546}}
- [http://technically-speaking-radio.blogspot.com/2010/09/black-lewis-of-american-idol-discusses.html Chris Richardson Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106024212/http://technically-speaking-radio.blogspot.com/2010/09/black-lewis-of-american-idol-discusses.html |date=2008-01-06 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080516085632/http://www.afewmomentswith.com/ Chris Richardson Interview on Fox News Radio]
{{American Idol 6}}
{{Cash Money Records}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardson, Chris}}
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:American Idol participants
Category:American keyboardists
Category:American contemporary R&B singers
Category:American rock singers
Category:Cash Money Records artists
Category:Christopher Newport University alumni
Category:Singers from Virginia
Category:People from Chesapeake, Virginia
Category:Guitarists from Virginia
Category:American male guitarists
Category:21st-century American drummers
Category:21st-century American guitarists
Category:21st-century American male singers