Diana Degarmo Returning to Her Country Roots
Diana DeGarmo, one of the top "American Idol" contestants during the Fox show's third season, says she is excited and satisfied with the direction her career has taken since her time on the show.
DeGarmo, who will be performing with three other "Idol" finalists at a Christmas show Saturday, says she has been thrilled with her success so far, which includes her smash hit "Dreams," released after her season on the television show in 2004. Now, DeGarmo is returning to her main love, country music, and hoping to get a record deal soon.
"I'm a strong believer that all things happen for a reason," says DeGarmo, 21. She finished second to winner Fantasia Barrino on the show. "I really wouldn't have it any other way. After the show is over, it's all about what you do with that opportunity. I've been blessed enough to really keep that ball rolling. I may not be on the front page of a newspaper or magazine every week, but I'm happy.
"I'm still happy to call music my job," says DeGarmo, a Georgia native and resident of Nashville, Tenn. "I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing."
At "American Stars in Concert for the Holidays," presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, DeGarmo will join Chikezie Eze and David Hernandez from "Idol's" seventh season, and Kimberly Locke from the second season. The singers will perform mostly traditional holiday music, but will throw in some contemporary pop tunes. The four will sing as a quartet and individually.
"We want to get everybody excited about all the good times that November and December bring," DeGarmo says. "That's the wonderful thing about it. It's going to be a show that people can bring their families to.
"I promise people that there will be big songs, little songs and everything in between," she says. "We're going to have a great time. ... Expect to have a night of wholesome, good fun."
DeGarmo released her debut pop album, "Blue Skies," with RCA Records in 2004, and has toured a lot since her "Idol" stint. She also acted on Broadway, in the role of Penny Pingleton in "Hairspray." Yet DeGarmo grew up singing country music, and now is pursuing a career in that genre.
"I went back to what was most natural and what was most fun, and that's country music," she says. "It's really ... where my heart and soul lie as an artist."
DeGarmo is working on a new album with John Rich from the country duo Big & Rich. She sent out a demo to Nashville labels earlier this month.
"I'm really, really proud of the music," DeGarmo says. "I'm anxious to see what happens in the next few months. It could be the best Christmas gift ever."
DeGarmo does some songwriting, too, and says she loves the storytelling nature of country music.
"It's definitely like free therapy," she says. "At the end, you have this great song."
Reminiscing about her "Idol" time, DeGarmo says Simon Cowell, the British judge known for his harsh ways, was brutal to her, as he was to so many people.
"He was one of those people that, if he liked you, you got to see a glimmer of humanity every now and then. I wasn't on the 'like' list," she says, laughing. "But it comes with the territory on this show. ... I was fortunate that America liked me." To see more of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
