Arts & Entertainment

I Won't Tour the World Singing, But I Can Help Somebody Who Might

David Radford has a great opportunity to record this summer.

I sing. I sing in the shower (usually Marvin Gaye), in the car (anything from Sinatra to Guns and Roses) and I sing to my kids (they like Elvis but they love the Beach Boys).

I would have loved to have toured the world, singing to screaming fans while trying to find a vice like drugs, alcohol or depression to climb out of just so I could have my own VH1 Behind the Music Special.

But I'm not that good. In fact, I'm not good at all. I'm not good enough to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" before my kids play T-ball in the back yard. But I've always wondered what it would be like to not only have that gift but to take it to those amazing levels.

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David Radford has that gift and now there's a chance for us to help him take it to the next level.

David Radford went from local high school student to having national attention almost over night when he made the top 24 in Season Five of American Idol. That was the Taylor Hicks year. (Taylor Hicks? Seriously, voters?)

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After graduating from the University of Illinois, Radford has been back home in Crystal Lake trying to make ends meet while still desperately trying to kick off his singing career. He's given musical lessons, sang at local businesses, proposed to his girlfriend and can be seen listening to music in front of his computer at Conscious Cup.

Now he's ready for the next chapter of his life to begin. He's been given an opportunity to record an independent album in Nashville this June but he's looking to the community to help make this dream a reality.

Radford is looking to raise $7,500 by June 3 through a program called Kickstarter. It's all or nothing—if he raises the money, he'll head down to Nashville and start recording, if he doesn't he'll continue searching for ways to start recording.

Kickstarter is an online funding platform for creative projects. Through Kickstarter, people can back creative projects every day. 

People interested can help by choosing an artist or project that they want to see succeed. There they can select a pledge level that matches their desired rewards package (ranging from CD's, DVD's, T-shirts, A Written Song for You or A Friend, etc...)

Radford's album will be 5-7 original tracks, many of which have never been heard before.

"My songs are all stories. They are creative and different, and I am incredibly excited to record an album so that I can share them with you," Radford said.

Those who pledge don't get charged a penny unless the project becomes fully funded.

"So if I raise $6,900, I don't get anything, and you don't pay (or get your stuff)," Radford said.

There are three ways you can help Radford with this project:

1. Go to Kickstarter and Pledge your Support NOW!
2. Tweet this concept NOW to get it out there (don't forget to Tweet again once you've become a backer)
3. Like it on Facebook

So take a moment out of your day, pledge a few dollars, get a CD or maybe a T-shirt and make his singing career a reality.

And I'll be happy to serenade you with my soothing sounds of Neil Diamond if you see me around town.


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