Bo Bice: I love what Idol’s given me

"American Idol" season 4 runner-up Bo Bice is back with a new album, a new baby and a new appreciation for the people in Nashville after the devastating floods earlier this month.

Bo’s new album, “3,”  was released last week and his single, “Long Road Back,” is being used to raise money for flood victims.  All proceeds from the single will be donated to a variety of flood assistance programs for people in Nashville as they recover and rebuild.

Bo recently spoke to us at the Larry King Live blog about his time on "Idol," why he loves it and how Nashville is doing these days…

LKL:  "American Idol" – it’s an exclusive club that you guys have been through...

Bo Bice: I was hanging out with one of the "Idol" folks this year.  A lot of us live in Nashville and you know that conversation came up.  There’s been a decade of "Idol."  Next year’s going to be the 10th anniversary.  Thinking about the big picture in the world, there’s only 100 people who know what its like to be in the top ten come next year. And that out of all the people that have tried out and worked hard there, I think that’s a really cool perspective on the true greatness of the show.

It’s nothing that I did.  I was just in the right place at the right time. I think the band – I wouldn’t have gotten so far without them being on the show. There are just all kinds of stars that lined up for me where I really give credit to the show and the producers who do a great job and the crew. It just made my job easy –got out there and pick songs that I love and go out and do my best to perform it.

LKL: I mean you must have had a little bit to do with it, too…

Bo: Well I mean I got to hold the microphone stand. [Laughs]  But it’s not really anything different than what I was doing 15 years before I went on the show.

LKL: But it’s obviously changed your life?

Bo: Oh goodness gracious!  It’s changed everything.  All the goals that I’ve accomplished, I’ve been able really do them plus a million.  From having my own recording studio and record label to doing the production myself with friends I trust who understand what I do and who I am as an artist.  The cool thing for me is that "Idol" has helped me accomplish more than those dreams I had.  I probably wouldn’t have been able to indulge myself had I not had the success I did from the show.

LKL: Do you still watch "Idol?"

Bo: Yeah I watch it every year. You have to realize I don’t get a lot of free time with being a dad, husband and playing rock star on TV [laughs].    I get the opportunity to watch it with my wife or she watches it and fills me in - because every year I get to go back to the finale and just like to see my friends.  I mean there’s some people that kind of run from that.  I’ve had so many people talk about me and my ego.  Everything from a sell-out to a has been or ‘never was’ I’ve been called.  

And I’ll tell you something, when people ask advice for this business I say have thick skin and I say work hard.  Practice all the time.  It’s just people being critical.  But I think at the same time when you love what you do you really enjoy it and you put your best foot forward and you’re proud of the product you’re putting out – that’s what "Idol" has been for me.  

People can bash it and they can bash people from it.  I see people bash it and bash it and bash it and then they go on and perform.  I love those hypocrites because at least I stand firm in the fact that I’ve always loved that show.  I love what it’s given me.  I’ll never turn my back on the show because they provided a career for me.  I’m really proud to be a part of its alumni.  That’s why I continue to keep up with the show. 

LKL: You’re just outside of Nashville, right?

Bo: Yeah, we’ve been here five years outside of Nashville. Where we lived we were blessed not to have lost stuff [in the recent floods].  We had minimal damage in comparison I don’t even care to talk about it.

LKL: How are things going down there?

Bo: Well I don’t want to downplay it, but I don’t want to over say anything.  The main thing is I continue to tell people Nashville is open for business.  We’ve had a really rough past couple of weeks. It’s not fixed.  There are a lot of lives lost.  And there’s been some devastation to some beautiful landmarks that were part of our music history.

I want you to know I’ve been in this town for 5 years but I grew up around this city. It’s more than just country music city.  My sons were born here and I love the community.  This is a wonderful town. I’m so proud to be from Alabama, but Tennessee is my adopted home.  I’ve got a newfound inspiration of this city. It’s truly beautiful seeing these people doing what they’re doing.

LKL: And you’re donating profits from [your new single] “Long Road Back,” right?

Bo: That’s right. “Long Road Back,” it’s a song I love and I felt it fit the situation.  And we’re going to get back through this together. I think that that’s what’s going to inspire people is that relationship that we have to move forward.  So I contacted some friends at the record label partners and they worked with iTunes and they were nice enough to give us an exclusive iTunes run to give these proceeds from long road back to the victims.  We’re going to help out the Red Cross and Salvation Army.  And also we’re doing the benefit during fanfare week. That will be on June 12th. And all the proceeds from that show are going to go to help Music Cares, which is a program that helps out music victims all around.

For more information on Bo Bice, visit his website.

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