Artist Profile: Billy Currington
Sultry-voiced Singer Trades Childhood Trauma for Stardom
Aug 2, 2009
Some of country music's most revered artists are known for their allegiance to their backwoods roots and for their undemanding attitudes. Alan Jackson and George Strait are two names that come to mind; they choose great songs and let their music speak for them.
Georgia-born Billy Currington is also known for his laid back demeanor, but he adds two weapons to his arsenal: a distinctive southern voice that draws as much for Rhythm and Blues as it does from Country music, and a taste for sultry songs that appeal to country music's female audience.
From Rincon, GA to Opryland USA
Born just outside of Savannah, GA, Billy Currington's mother married Larry Currington when Billy was nearly two years old. Larry dealt with a heavy alcohol dependance, and the younger Currington experienced intimately the emoational and sometimes physical pain that came from having an alcoholic father. The elder Currington later passed away from cancer.
Billy Currington had an intense interest in music, and auditioned for a singing gig at Opryland USA when he was still a teenager. He was turned down for the part. This did little to deter him from his dream; Currington moved to Nashville after high school graduation.
The move was short lived, and Currington moved back to Georgia, where he began singing and performing in local clubs and bars. In (year), he returned to Nashville to give his dream another shot. He worked as a personal trainer and for a concrete company while he made connections and wrote songs. He soon began singing on demo tapes.
One of these tapes caught the attention of Mercury Records, who signed him to a contract.
Walk a Little Straighter
In 2003, Mercury Records released Currington's first single was a song he wrote himself, entitled "Walk A Little Straighter." The song came from lyrics the singer began writing at 12 years old, reflecting on several painful experiences with his father. The lyrics tell of a child who watches his father stumbling and making wrong choices; the child vows to not repeat the same mistakes.
They marketed Currington as an everyday, southern, regular jeans-and-T-shirt kind of guy, like so many of his contemporaries. It was his strong vocals and physique that attracted the attention of one of Country Music's biggest stars.
Party For Two with Shania Twain
In 2004, Currington was tapped by superstar Shania Twain to duet with her on the single, "Party for Two." The video for the song, which featured Currington and Twain dancing on a table and swinging from a chandelier, was a success and earned Currington mass exposure in the country market.
Doing Something Right
Currington's second album featured the smash single, "Doing Something Right." The suggestive song lyrics, Currington's soulful drawl, and the accompanying steamy video (featuring Currington romping on the beach with model) were the perfect combination. The song reached Number One at the end of 2005.
The album also featured the songs, "Why Why Why," and "Good Directions." Currington himself fought to have the latter song released as a single, as it got great response during his concerts. Although the song's redneck sound did not exactly fit with the style of country music that was popular, and certainly was not the style of song that listeners had heard before from Currington, his label released the song. It also went to Number One in 2007.
Currington cancels tour and undergoes treatment
In 2007, Currington cancelled his tour due to laryngitis. He also underwent therapy for trauma due to the abuse he suffered from his father as a child.
Little Bit of Everything
In 2008, Currington returned with his third album, Little Bit of Everything. The first single, "Don't" was released and peaked at Number Two. The song again featured Currington's soulful singing style and romantic lyrics.
His second single, "People Are Crazy," reached Number One in 2009.
Summary
Billy Currington's solid songs and sultry voice have given his career a good start, and have kept it stable during personal upheaval. The star seems to have overcome the trauma from his childhood and parlayed that perseverance to create a healthy music career.
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