ABOVE: Bo Bice enduring question after question from me before the Cumming Country Fair concert October 11. CREDIT: Lara Thompson (blog handle; GARain)
This, or a version of this, will appear in the print edition Saturday:
For Bo Bice, a year late is better than not at all.
Last October, the former Atlantan and 2005 “American Idol” runner up abruptly canceled a concert appearance at the Cumming Country Fair because he needed emergency intestinal surgery. The proud Southern rocker, whose mom Nancy lives in Cumming, came back this year to make that show up even though he’s not technically on tour.
“For the longest time, I didn’t know what was wrong with me physically,” he said before Thursday’s concert. “It was taking a toll on me mentally.”
The doctors last year finally figured out he had problems with his intestines locking up, making it painful for him to digest food. With surgery, he said he’s been healthy since February and he’s ready to rock again. “The Lord has blessed me with so much in so little time,” he said. “I feel like 2008 will be a good time for me.”
We spoke with Bice about his health, his split with RCA Records and his new independently released CD “See the Light,” out October 23 exclusively at Wal-Mart.
Q: You’ve been ill for quite awhile, right?
Bice: I haven’t always been a cat who took care of myself. When I was younger, I used to be wild. I had a doctor tell me I might have an ulcer. I was a working musican. I didn’t have insurance. I didn’t know I was that sick for so long. To be healthy now and not be in pain after every meal is great. I used to have to ride out the pain for 15 minutes. Now I don’t have to lie and say, “I’m alright!” when I felt like collapsing.
Q: When did it get really bad?
Bice: The problem really showed up during “Idol” probably because of the stress. It was that and the way I was eating and drinking. I liked having whiskey then. Now I can’t do that anymore. I can have a glass of wine but more than two and my stomach hurts.
Q: How do you like living in Nashville compared to Birmingham [where he lived most of his life.]?
Bice: I really miss Alabama. I always joke with people that Nashville is as far north and as far west as they’ll pull me. It’s a beautiful place to raise a family. [He’s been married two years with a toddler.] And for me as a songwriter and producer, it’s the right place to be.
Q: Why are you no longer at RCA [who signed him after “Idol” and released his first CD “The Real Thing”]?
Bice: I think it’s just about things running their course. I loved my time there at RCA and appreciate it just as I appreciate “Idol.” I got to work with Carlos Santana and Richie Sambora.
Q: But did you feel the pop sound of that CD was truly you?
Bice: I’ve had to learn to precensor things I say. I’m a blunt person. Seriously, I was fulfilling a contract, fulfilling obligations. Was it the album I would have put out for me? No. But there’s no animosity. . . [Label kingpin] Clive Davis is very smart. He knew Southern rock was not going to make it on pop radio. He’s not in the business to make me look good. He’s in the business to make money.
Q: So tell me about the new CD. I presume you didn’t have to compromise on this one.
Bice: It’s undiluted. It’s straight from me to the fans. It’s my point of view. It’s Southern rock, pure and simple. That’s what the fans wanted. To be honest, I compromised my spirit more on ‘The Real Thing’ than I ever did on “Idol.”
Q: Are you expecting big radio play from any of the songs?
Bice: Oh, no. I’m not in denial over that. This is not a pop album. And I’ve stopped trying to measure success by CD sales or radio airplay. I’m on an indie label. Things are going to be a lot better for me.
Q: Why did you hook up with Wal-Mart?
Bice: It was StratArt [his management company Strategic Artist Management.] I shop at Wal-Mart. I felt comfortable with it.
To listen to clips of the new CD, check his site out..
