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David Archuleta set to move beyond "Idol"
Thu Nov 6, 2008 3:14pm EST
By Jill Serjeant

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - David Archuleta, who broke millions of young hearts with his soulful piano ballads on "American Idol," wants his first album due in record stores next week to prove that he's more than just a pretty face.

He's still a giddy and excited 17-year-old who's not quite ready for serious dating. But six months after almost winning the top-rated television show "American Idol," Archuleta is about to embark on the music career he has dreamed of for 10 years.

"I think the album shows a variety of styles. One song has a reggae-ish feel to it, there are slower ones and others with a different feel," Archuleta told Reuters.

"I did sing a lot of ballads on 'American Idol' because I felt I could connect with people most that way. But I don't want people to think that's all I can do. I wanted to show that I'm still young and fresh and that I listen to Top 40 radio too," he said.

Archuleta's self-titled debut album will be released on November 11. Judging by "Arch Angels" fan message boards, anticipation is high not only in the United States but also in countries as far away as Malaysia and the Philippines, despite the long wait since the "American Idol" final in May.

The baby-faced Utah teenager's first single, "Crush," released in August, went to No.1 on iTunes within 24 hours and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

ARCHULETA VERSUS COOK

Considered the front-runner in the 2008 "American Idol" TV talent show that ended in May, Archuleta lost the contest to rocker David Cook, 25.

In a marketing bid to keep that rivalry going, Cook releases his first album on November 18 -- a week after Archuleta.

But that's not how Archuleta sees it.

"I know everyone wants us still to compare and compete, but we are so different. Cook is a rocker guy, a guitarist and an amazing musician, and I'm a pop kid.

"I am as excited for his album as I am for mine because we have gone together through this process of watching our dreams grow. This is what we've been looking forward to -- living our dreams and starting our musical careers," Archuleta said.

Archuleta co-wrote five of the songs on the album and is putting a band together ahead of performances on television and at Christmas pop festivals. But he won't be sitting at the piano, at least for now, and he says he still gets nervous when performing.

"Right now, I've been more focused on making sure I am singing the songs as best as I can. I get a little nervous because you don't know how well you are going to do. But it is so much fun when you are up on stage. You forget about your nerves because you are loving what you do," he said.

A Mormon with four siblings, Archuleta began singing at age 6, inspired by a video from the musical "Les Miserables." At 12, he won the junior section of TV talent show "Star Search."

Despite his teen idol status, he says he's still trying to figure out girls.

"I think there will be that girl who I really feel like, wow, she's special. But I'm still getting that idea of what kind of girl I'd want to be with for a long time," he said with a giggle.

- Reuters

'Idol' runner-up David Archuleta is poised for record debut

By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY

Those who followed David Archuleta's rise on American Idol won't be surprised that the Season 7 runner-up is a little nervous about his self-titled first album, out Tuesday.

"I haven't had a ton of recording experience," the 17-year-old singer says. "Sometimes I feel like, 'Wow, I don't know anything at all.' "

Archuleta's naive, somewhat fragile persona helped endear him to Idol viewers, even if he was bested by the edgier, older David Cook. But discussing his debut, Archuleta is savvy enough to emphasize that he worked under certain restrictions, even as he expresses gratitude.

"We didn't have a lot of time," Archuleta says. "People were expecting it to come out before we got started. But it was humbling to work with these producers and writers who have had such success."

Those collaborators include Andreas Carlsson, Desmond Child and new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, as well as 'N Sync alum JC Chasez, who was taken by Archuleta's "strong grasp of his identity. He was always intelligent and professional. I think the world of the kid."

Blender editor in chief Joe Levy points out that Archuleta is "both young and poised, innocent and capable. Those are good combinations."

And, as the Jonas Brothers and others have proven, potentially lucrative ones. "When you sell records made by teenagers to teenagers, you can sell a lot of music. David has shown himself to be a people-pleaser."

Not that the tender star has avoided controversy. There was the flap surrounding his father and manager, Jeff Archuleta, who was banned backstage in Idol's waning weeks.

"That was rough," the younger Archuleta says. The uproar was "rude and weird, because my dad is so laid-back. There are still people who think he's abusing me or something. I don't think they realize I'm almost 18."

Archuleta's more ardent fans recognize his youth, but in a more "respectful" way. When he performed on the Idols Live tour, "there wasn't any underwear thrown on the stage, though that happened to some of the other kids." At least not until the final show, when his former rival and buddy Cook lobbed panties at him, Archuleta says, giggling.

Fame hasn't had a profound impact on Archuleta's love life, either. "I've gone on dates, but nothing serious," says the devout Mormon. "If you rush into going steady, you don't meet other people.

"It's like, you may think this one ice cream place is the best in the world, but then you try Graeter's or Cold Stone, and you think, 'My God, what have I been missing?' "