Justin Time for the Fourth
Silver Springs celebrates with 'American Idol' stars, fireworks
Lashonda Stinson, Ocala Star-Banner
June 26, 2007
http://www.ocala.com/article/20070628/ENTERTAINMENT/206280328/1016/ENTERTAINMENT&source=photoclick

After five years, Justin Guarini is still an "Idol." And he doesn't mind one bit.

"No, that would be like getting tired of making a living," Guarini replied when asked if he gets tired of the "American Idol" connection. "It's a wonderful, wonderful asset, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

Why would he.

Since his days on the first season of Fox's "American Idol," in which he took runner-up dibs to Kelly Clarkston, Guarini has starred in a feature film, recorded two albums, advocated music education in public schools on Capitol Hill and composed music and lyrics for other projects. This past spring, his "Idol" experience came in handy for his new job as a correspondent on the TV Guide Channel's behind-the-scenes "American Idol" shows "Idol Tonight" and "Idol Chat."

And now his "Idol" ties have landed him in Ocala for a Fourth of July concert at Silver Springs featuring former contestants from the smash-hit TV singing contest. Guarini, along with fellow Idol finalists Melissa McGhee and Anthony Fedorov, will perform at the Independence Day Celebration, which starts at 6:30 p.m. with a question-and-answer session with the audience.

Local singers Savannah Kent, Shantell Dyess and Daniel Rameriez also will perform.

"We've done a tour and events together before, but this is the first time it will be just the three of us," said Guarini, 28, during a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "It is really fun just to get together. 'Idol' is something that has legs. It's going to be around for a while and people want to incorporate 'Idol' into their events. And funny enough, I was watching the finale of 'The Sopranos,' and they mentioned 'American Idol' in there. Amazing."

After their performances on Wednesday, there will be an autograph-signing session at 8:30 p.m., followed by a large fireworks show - new to the park in recent years.

"Typically Silver Springs concerts have been living legends, country, rock 'n' roll, but we wanted to try and think outside the box and offer a different variety of music," said Steve Specht, Silver Springs spokesman. "'American Idol' is an American phenomenon, and we thought it would be a perfect opportunity for us to present this concert for the Fourth of July."

Guarini said he hasn't decided what he will perform at the concert, but most likely will sing some songs from his second album, "Stranger Things Have Happened." He independently released and co-produced the jazz album, which he described as a "fresh take" on known and obscure jazz songs. Of late, he's been in London working with writers and producers for his third album - also an independent project due in 2008. (After bleak sales of his self-titled 2003 debut album, RCA Records released him from his contract.)

"Ever since I finished with my TV Guide shows I've been 100 percent focused on this album. It's going to be R&B, funk and soul. It's going to be awesome," said Guarini, who attended University of the Arts in Philadelphia. "What I'm so excited about is the fact that I'm going to have so much creative control where as before I didn't."

The Columbus, Ga., native boasts a blend of charm, confidence and smarts, traits that probably rubbed off from his successful parents. His father, Eldrin Bell, is the former chief of police of Atlanta and current chairman of the Clayton County Commission. His mother, Kathy Pepino Guarini, is a journalist and former CNN news anchor.

Also hereditary: his famous hair. His tightly curled coif was turning heads way before Sanjaya Malakar and Chris Sligh's hair-raising styles.

"You can't buy the sort of branding that I got with 'American Idol' with my hair," said Guarini, who now sports a shaped version of his fluffy Afro. "But at the same time, I went through a phase and I wanted to be done with my hair and try to move in a different direction."

In 2004, he cut his curly locks off, which he described as "liberating."

"I complain, but it's not nearly as much work as you may think," he said, promising he doesn't stuff his hair with product.

"Honesty, it just kind of does its own thing. I can wake up and sometimes not do a thing to it and it looks styled. Over the past five years, I've learned when I have to beat it into submission."

He said being known for something like his hair is cool, but "I'd like to think that I'm a little bit more known for my talent." And these days his talents go beyond his melodic voice. He's set to play a racecar driver in a movie he finished last year called "Fast Girl."

"Funny enough, I have a different hairstyle in it," he said with a laugh. "It's a fun little action drama. It'll be out later on this year."

With a new movie, new album and a "wonderful, understanding" woman in his life, Guarini said post-"Idol" life has been good to him.

"I always tell people I've been very fortunate to be working consistently for the past four years doing what I love to do, which is entertaining people . And I'm just happy now that I've got this next shot at my third album," Guarini said.

Lashonda Stinson can be reached at lashonda.stinson@starbanner.com or 867-4129

Back to essentialjustin.com