Thursday, August 14, 2008

Chatting with Calvin Richardson

So last week I got the chance to chat it up with neo-soul singer Calvin Richardson when he was in town performing in VA...yea don't look at me like that, you know...Calvin that sung on Angie Stone's Grammy nominated hit "More than a Woman". Now back, promoting his recently released third album, 'When Love Comes', Calvin dished just how hard it is to maintain so long in a business when money isn't his ultimate goal. Read on to find what is...


He describes himself as a "soul singer in a nutshell," and with music in his blood (his father is a musician, his mother is a singer, he grew up with K-Ci and Jo Jo of Jodeci and has even been tied to Dave Hollister and Fantasia), he started his music career singing in the church.

Now, 15 years later, Calvin makes it very clear that he's not necessarily into the music business but more so into the music. Rumors have been circulating for years that Calvin was dropped from Universal but he cleared that right up. "Every label that I left, I left on my own free will," Calvin clarified. By not being supportive in marketing his endeavors, Calvin felt the need to move on.

Still, because Calvin doesn't focus on material things to determine his success, he feels all of his albums have been successful. And they would have to be to have 15 years in the business.

"People don't determine your success. Everybody's not going to be rich or famous. Some people get to a certain level and go into debt because there's bills you've got to pay. My mission in life is the music."

Word. Find out more about Calvin Richardson and his latest album 'When Love Comes' here.