Michael Sarver wants his next album to reflect the roots of country music. (Special to the American Press)
Former ‘Idol’ contestant: Album return to country roots
Last Modified: Saturday, May 05, 2012 11:42 PM
By Johnathan Manning / American Press
Michael Sarver wants his next album to reflect the roots of country music.
The former “American Idol” contestant is planning on releasing the first single from the new album “I Wanted You to Know” on May 8. The release date for the as-of-yet-unnamed album, is not set.
A 1999 Sulphur High graduate who finished in 10th place on “American Idol” in 2009, Sarver released his first album, SDLqMichael Sarver,” in July of 2010. That album had a “modern, contemporary country twist,” Sarver said.
SDLqSometimes I’ll hear songs on the radio, and there’s even a couple on my first record, where if I’m just a listener I don’t know if I’m buying that as country music, and I don’t want that. I don’t want to just claim to be a country singer to just jump on the bandwagon of how popular country music is. I love country music for a reason, and I’m trying to portray that passion for country music on this record.”
While Sarver said he wrote or co-wrote six of the songs on his first album, the tracks on the new album are all his.
“We kind of went fast on the first record because you want to capitalize on the opportunity, but for me now, it’s more about developing as an artist and showing exactly who I am as a country artist,” Sarver said.
Sarver said he asked to be released from Dream Records, which distributed his first album, and is releasing his new album independently.
“I was very, very proud of my first album, but there were so many things I wish I had done different or been more involved in,” Sarver said. “I got into this because I believe I have something special to offer the music business and if I just keep spinning my wheels recording records that someone else wants me to record, then I’m not really being true to myself.”
Sarver was living in Jasper, Texas, prior to joining “American Idol” and has since returned. He lives there with his wife, Tiffany, and two children.
“There’s something to be said for keeping your roots where they belong,” Sarver said.
Sarver has built a recording studio with money he made from touring with “American Idol.”
In addition to his own album, he’s producing two country albums and a pop album in his studio.
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