What is Kickstarter and why am I telling you about it?

Hello there! This is Dave Radford.  You may know me from my time on American Idol as a top 24 finalist from Crystal Lake. I sang Frank Sinatra tunes and was SO close to landing a touring contract with the top ten finalists. 

Sometimes, I wonder what my life would have been like if I made it.  Where would I be right now? What would I be doing?  I probably would have tried to pursue a career as a Big Band artist like Michael Buble.  Who knows, maybe I would have succeeded. 

Having said that, I am so thankful I never made it.  Why? Because I like the way things turned out. I went to a great college (U of I in Champaign!), made some amazing friends, and started to write songs along the way. 

I think its true that at least two out of these three things should happen before you choose a career path.

1. You have identified what you're gifted in.

2. Others around you are saying things like "have you considered going into ______?...Because you would be really good at it."

3. You have a desire and passion to pursue what you're gifted in.

Ever since American Idol, all of these things have been true over and over again about one of my gifts. Writing and perfoming original songs. I'm good at it (perhaps really good), I want to do it more than anything else, and others around me keep encouraging me to pursue it.

SO, scary thought it may be, this is what I am going to pursue, and that is why I am writing this post. 

I am recording an independent album in Nashville beginning this June!

That's where Kickstarter comes in.

Kickstarter is an online funding platform for creative projects like mine.  Maybe you've heard of it. Through Kickstarter, people like you are backing creative projects every day. 

How? First, by choosing an artist or project that they want to see succeed.  After that, it is up to them to 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...)

The 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!

The goal is to raise $7,500 by June 3rd.

Important to note- Kickstarter is ALL OR NOTHING, meaning you 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).

SO, where do you go from here? Well, there is always the "go on with your day, hoping that others will help Dave out" option.  OR, there is the "check out the rewards list option." Choose that one :)

Once you're on the page, feel free to read more about the project, watch the promo video, and, if you like, become a backer!

OK, so to sum up, there are three ways you can help me 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

That's it! That's what I'm excited about right now, and that's what I will be blogging on this month, so stay tuned! :)

Ps. The girl in the picture is my lovely fiance, Licia! She will be singing with me on the album as well :)