NASHVILLE, TN. (Word Entertaiment) - GEORGE HUFF was one of the final five contestants on the Fox network's wildly popular "American Idol" TV series in spring 2004. He was also the last man standing in the riveting competition. Known for his fiery performances, ever-positive attitude and wide-and-winning smile, HUFF is now launching his solo career with a five-song Christmas collection.
Titled GEORGE HUFF: MY CHRISTMAS EP (Word/Curb/Warner Brothers), the EP hits stores nationwide Tuesday, November 9.
HUFF's first project shares the Christmas spirit in a way that emphasizes the holiday's true meaning. With producers Cedric and Victor Caldwell of Caldwell Plus Productions (Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle, Smokie Norful and Destiny Child's Michelle Williams) laying down warm and cozy tracks, HUFF joyously revives Christmas classics that we have all come to know and love. "George is an artist whose heart is just as large as his voice," says Cedric Caldwell. "I believe he's created some great interpretations of holiday standards that we'll all be listening to for years to come."
With the hectic "American Idol" concert-touring schedule HUFF has been a part of (most of the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia), it's amazing that he found time to record any music. However, in between tour stops, he laid down these inspiring tracks.
GEORGE HUFF: MY CHRISTMAS EP kicks off with a soulful medley of "Angels We Have Heard On High/ Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." HUFF's croon on "Silent Night" was recorded traditionally with a Nat King Cole vibe on the first verse. "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" was done in a smooth, laid-back jazz style with gentle drumming brushes. HUFF's version of "Oh Holy Night" is a tour-de-force performance.
The track opens a cappella, demonstrating the grainy earthiness of HUFF's vocals. Then, the music rises in 4/4 time as opposed to the traditional 3/4 time, making it a distinctive and stellar showstopper that ends with dramatic notes and vocal bends.
For his final selection, HUFF contributes a rousing, hand-clapping, quartet-styled take on "Go, Tell it on the Mountain." All of this is just a preview to the kind of multi-format music HUFF will be making when his debut CD is released in 2005.
In the meantime, HUFF's dedicated fan base will be thrilled with the timeless music he has to offer. Stay tuned for tour dates or check him out on www.wordrecords.com/georgehuff or www.georgehuffworld.com.
The Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is home to both the Word and Squint record labels. The artist roster heralds some of today's top Christian music performers and songwriters including Amy Grant, Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, Sixpence None The Richer, Building 429, Nicole C. Mullen, Karen Clark Sheard, Randy Travis and American Idol's George Huff. The Word Label Group leads the industry with over fifty years of music-making history.
