Singer-songwriter Graham Colton credits the popular US TV show American Idol for his success. But he didn't win, he wasn't even a contestant. Instead, his song "Best Days" was featured at the end of the show when a finalist was eliminated. The song became an Internet sensation and Graham was named iTunes' "Top New Pop Artist of 2007."
Oklahoma native Graham Colton started off with dreams of a football career, leading his high school to the state championship in 1998. But even then, much of his time was spent playing music.
"Music has always been a part of my life," Colton explains. "When I played football I would play Friday nights and on Saturdays I would play [music] at a Mexican food restaurant. That was kind of my thing."
Graham Colton's new CD is Pacific Coast Eyes. His approach to this album was very different from his previous recordings.
"It is my third full length album," Colton notes. "This one is entirely different because I am an independent artist again. As the landscape of the music business is ever changing I felt like it was appropriate to do it all myself. It has certainly been the most rewarding experience and most rewarding album I have made, just because it is all me".
As an artist, Colton says he doesn't consider himself a singer. He believes he just happens to sing the songs he writes.
As a businessman, Colton feels today's technology has opened new doors.
"In a way you have more opportunities to reach more people with the push of a button but there is just more stuff out there that you are competing with," says Colton. "At times it is challenging, but more so with this new album. I am out there really trying to connect the dots on a grassroots level. It is a great time to do that and to be out there".
Colton admits he likes to be the leading man in his music and creates characters in his songs. His biggest success came from the song "Best Days" which was featured every week on the American Idol TV show during the 2007 season.
"This one was a turning point for me," Colton recalls. "It is the coolest thing about being a songwriter; you can write something in an afternoon or in five minutes and it changes your life
forever".
Graham Colton is currently on tour in support of his new CD.
