Melinda Doolittle: Former 'American Idol' Finalist Releases First CD
Melinda Doolittle was the sweetheart of 'American Idol's' season six.
The St. Louis-born vocalist, who now resides in Nashville, won viewers over with both her pleasant disposition and big, soulful voice.
The 31-year-old former background singer for artists like BeBe & CeCe, Michael McDonald, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Jonny Lang is now stepping into the forefront with a CD of her own on Hi Fi Recordings.
Titled 'Coming Back To You,' the CD is a combination of soul and R&B produced by the Grammy-nominated Mike Mangini (Joss Stone, Jonas Brothers) and recorded with a band of live musicians in both Nashville and New York City.
'Coming Back To You' offers a vintage soul sound that would make Doolittle the perfect addition to a tour including Raphael Saadiq and Solange, both of whom also embrace throwback vibes on their respective releases.
I caught up with Doolittle at a Starbucks in Nashville's trendy West End district where we talked about her new CD, life after 'American Idol' and her work with President George W. Bush.
Just before we jumped into the conversation, an adoring fan named Summer, who was completely awestruck with meeting the 'Idol' third place finalist, came over to greet Doolittle and shake her hand.
Has there been anyone you've met that had the impact on you that you just had on that young girl?
I think that meeting Gladys Knight was probably one of the hugest moments for me because I was sitting in front of this legend that I have grown up on and looked up to. She is the singer's singer. I sat in front of her and I was like, 'Help me! What can you help me with?' She said, 'When I watch you, I see that you tell a story in your songs and it's like reading a book. When I get onstage, I still tell a story, but I want it to be like a movie. I don't want it to just be a book; I want it to be a movie.' I've been trying to make movies ever since! We'll see how that works. That statement right there has really changed my approach singing onstage in front of people and in the studio. I just try to capture that movie. It will probably take some years, but I'm working on it definitely. She's one of my favorites!
How did you end up on Hi Fi Recordings?
I ended up signing with management here in Brentwood. Once I signed with them, they got this called from Hi Fi Recordings saying, 'We really want to talk to Melinda. We know she's probably already signed.' They were like, 'No, we're still trying to figure out who she'd like to go with and we would love to meet you guys.' They're based in New York and they came down to Nashville and I sat down and met with these two John's, John Pecker and John Peter and I loved them. They thought out of the box and they weren't just trying to do corn meal kind of record. They were like, 'Whatever it is you love, we can take our time with it and make sure that it's what you really, really want and that you are happy with it and proud of it when we finish. John Peter, we call him 'The Song Man' because he's a genius with picking songs for different artists. He's worked with people from James Brown to Kid Rock. You name it; he's probably worked with them. John came back to Nashville and presented me with this group of songs. He thought that out of that group of songs, I would probably like about two or three and by the time we finished our meeting, I was like, 'can I sing them all or do I have to choose which ones I want to do?' He said, 'I guess we can work that out.'
And then they paired you with Mike Mangini?
John Peter picked Mike Mangini to produce it and he's in New York also. He did Joss Stone's first two records with that retro sound. He did Chaka Khan, Dionne Warrick and he also did the Jonas Brothers and Elliott Yamin so he's done a little bit of everything. He just knew that I love that retro soul. That's what I grew up on and that's what I love. I love live instruments and I like for a record to sound as live as possible. Mike took these songs and gave them a retro and soul spin. He let me come in and not have to just sing choruses to the songs, I sang them straight down while he was in front of me and that's the way we recorded the record. It was an awesome experience. I got to sing background which is where I started in the first place and I got to be my own doo-wop girls and lay that foundation and then get out there and do the lead.
On 'Idol' you sang a variety of music. How did you know the retro soul sound is what you wanted for 'Coming Back to You?'
I like so many different styles, but when I walked in I said, 'I love Gladys Knight, I love Tina Turner, I love Aerosmith, I like Shania Twain and all different kinds of music. What really hit home for me is that retro soul vibe. My favorite artist is Johnny Lang. I just wanted a little grit in there and they were able to make that happen.
You had done a lot of work in gospel music before 'Idol,' why not record a gospel album? Did you think it would be too limiting?
I don't think it's limiting, I just love songs that tell a story and these are stories that I love to tell about. They're about the love that you encounter in life and everyday stories of people that happen and that to me is exciting. I'm still a Christian who does all different styles of music. There's a song on there called 'We Will Find a Way' that is definitely a gospel ballad that I love. I think there's something for everybody on the record. I didn't want to do just one thing, but I wanted to include everything that makes me, me, whether it's life or love or God.
How'd you end up in Nashville?
I lived here for 11 years. I came here to finish school at Belmont University after transferring from University of Tulsa to study music in the music business. I got here and started finding out that people actually paid you to sing background. I had no idea that I could make a living at it so I was like I am staying because this is wonderful. I just started singing background and I loved Nashville and I wouldn't change it for the world. You can get everywhere from here, but it has that small town feel and that's what I like. It's a big city technically, but it feels like a small town.
You were invited to sing at the White House for President George W. Bush. What was that experience like?
It really started when I was on 'Idol.' That was the first year that they did 'Idol Gives Back' and I ended up getting to travel to Africa with The First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush. I went to Zambia with her and we had such a wonderful time figuring out how we could be more helpful. The President has a malaria initiative so I really wanted to get involved in. Because of traveling with her, she was getting honored at the White House with Colin Powell's youth alliance. They asked me to sing for that so I came and had dinner at the White House in the State dining room and the President made the seating chart and sat me right next to him. I was sitting next to President Bush just eating and hanging out and he was the sweetest man. It was awesome. Because of that, I also got sent on a Presidential delegation to Tanzania, so I've been to Africa twice now and can't wait to go back.
What was it like going back to the motherland?
I don't even know how to describe it right except for that I think you should go. I wish it for everybody because it is so amazing. My favorite part actually was that in the midst of all the tragedy that's happening and all of the deaths that they're experiencing with malaria and HIV/AIDS, they are the most joyful people that I have ever encountered. To me, that shows you just how good God is and how he can give you joy in the midst of a situation. It's life changing to go there and witness that and know that we complain about so much, but we have it so good here and they don't have it as good as we do here. I can't wait to go back.
It's a hard transition for most 'American Idol' finalists because after the show is done and the tour is over, it's a return to the real world for most of them. For you, what was it like to come down off of the 'Idol' high?
The 'Idol' high – I like that! For me, it's been the most amazing experience. I love to travel; I love to be on the bus. That's the best sleep that I've ever gotten. I've still been able to tour and travel whether it's going to Africa or doing corporate shows here. I've gotten a great chance to be able to keep traveling. I've done two Christmas tours with Michael W. Smith and been able to record a record. I don't have any complaints. It's kind of a sleepless world that I live in right now, but other than that I don't have any complaints about it. I love it. I'm getting to do what I love and even more than I could have ever imagined I would be doing at this point.
There are only a small number of you that have success post-'Idol.' How does it feel to have a recording contract and actually be able to sing now that the show is done?
I feel so blessed to be able to continue to sing. The coolest thing about 'Idol' is that everybody that I know from my season; in whatever level they're doing it, they're continuing to sing and pursue their goals. 'Idol' opened doors that you wouldn't even imagine. Maybe you don't want to do a full record, maybe you want to do plays and be on Broadway or be a television personality and I've seen those doors open for a lot of contestants. I think that's the cool part about it and I think we're going to see a lot from the contestants on the season I was in.
Are you still a fan of the show and do you still watch?
Of course; I have to watch. It's still the number one show by far and that speaks for itself. 'Idol' to me is a phenomenon that I was blessed to be a part of and I can't see it stopping any time soon.
There are all of these reports that the ratings are down on 'American Idol.' Do you think the show is losing steam?
As much as people say that the numbers might have been down a little bit, all the numbers were down this season for all the television shows and the fact that is still talking about it everyday. You can't turn on the TV without seeing something so obviously it's still in the minds of people.
From your season, who do you communicate with most?
I talk to Jordin [ Sparks] the most regularly; we text a lot. She came to Nashville to do some writing for her next record so we hung out on one of the days that she was here. We were both in New York at the same time last week so we texted each other. Sanjaya [Malakar] lives in New York now so I get to keep up with him. I went to Lakisha [Jones'] wedding when she got married in October. Gina [Glocksen] just got married and I didn't get to go to her wedding, but we got to text back and forth. I try to stay in touch with as many as possible. Phil [Stacey] and Chris [Sligh] both moved to Nashville and we share the same management so I get to keep up with them that way. Jordin is the one that I talk to the most often.
Other that Jordin who won your season, which other 'American Idol' winner is your favorite?
Fantasia is my girl! I love Kelly Clarkson. I think Carrie Underwood is amazingly talented, but I'll have to say Fantasia and Kelly are my favorite winners.
*****
'Coming Back to You' hits stores on Feb. 3.
Melinda Doolittle was the sweetheart of 'American Idol's' season six.
The St. Louis-born vocalist, who now resides in Nashville, won viewers over with both her pleasant disposition and big, soulful voice.
The 31-year-old former background singer for artists like BeBe & CeCe, Michael McDonald, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Jonny Lang is now stepping into the forefront with a CD of her own on Hi Fi Recordings.
Titled 'Coming Back To You,' the CD is a combination of soul and R&B produced by the Grammy-nominated Mike Mangini (Joss Stone, Jonas Brothers) and recorded with a band of live musicians in both Nashville and New York City.
'Coming Back To You' offers a vintage soul sound that would make Doolittle the perfect addition to a tour including Raphael Saadiq and Solange, both of whom also embrace throwback vibes on their respective releases.
I caught up with Doolittle at a Starbucks in Nashville's trendy West End district where we talked about her new CD, life after 'American Idol' and her work with President George W. Bush.
Just before we jumped into the conversation, an adoring fan named Summer, who was completely awestruck with meeting the 'Idol' third place finalist, came over to greet Doolittle and shake her hand.Has there been anyone you've met that had the impact on you that you just had on that young girl?
I think that meeting Gladys Knight was probably one of the hugest moments for me because I was sitting in front of this legend that I have grown up on and looked up to. She is the singer's singer. I sat in front of her and I was like, 'Help me! What can you help me with?' She said, 'When I watch you, I see that you tell a story in your songs and it's like reading a book. When I get onstage, I still tell a story, but I want it to be like a movie. I don't want it to just be a book; I want it to be a movie.' I've been trying to make movies ever since! We'll see how that works. That statement right there has really changed my approach singing onstage in front of people and in the studio. I just try to capture that movie. It will probably take some years, but I'm working on it definitely. She's one of my favorites!
How did you end up on Hi Fi Recordings?
I ended up signing with management here in Brentwood. Once I signed with them, they got this called from Hi Fi Recordings saying, 'We really want to talk to Melinda. We know she's probably already signed.' They were like, 'No, we're still trying to figure out who she'd like to go with and we would love to meet you guys.' They're based in New York and they came down to Nashville and I sat down and met with these two John's, John Pecker and John Peter and I loved them. They thought out of the box and they weren't just trying to do corn meal kind of record. They were like, 'Whatever it is you love, we can take our time with it and make sure that it's what you really, really want and that you are happy with it and proud of it when we finish. John Peter, we call him 'The Song Man' because he's a genius with picking songs for different artists. He's worked with people from James Brown to Kid Rock. You name it; he's probably worked with them. John came back to Nashville and presented me with this group of songs. He thought that out of that group of songs, I would probably like about two or three and by the time we finished our meeting, I was like, 'can I sing them all or do I have to choose which ones I want to do?' He said, 'I guess we can work that out.'
And then they paired you with Mike Mangini?
John Peter picked Mike Mangini to produce it and he's in New York also. He did Joss Stone's first two records with that retro sound. He did Chaka Khan, Dionne Warrick and he also did the Jonas Brothers and Elliott Yamin so he's done a little bit of everything. He just knew that I love that retro soul. That's what I grew up on and that's what I love. I love live instruments and I like for a record to sound as live as possible. Mike took these songs and gave them a retro and soul spin. He let me come in and not have to just sing choruses to the songs, I sang them straight down while he was in front of me and that's the way we recorded the record. It was an awesome experience. I got to sing background which is where I started in the first place and I got to be my own doo-wop girls and lay that foundation and then get out there and do the lead.
On 'Idol' you sang a variety of music. How did you know the retro soul sound is what you wanted for 'Coming Back to You?'
I like so many different styles, but when I walked in I said, 'I love Gladys Knight, I love Tina Turner, I love Aerosmith, I like Shania Twain and all different kinds of music. What really hit home for me is that retro soul vibe. My favorite artist is Johnny Lang. I just wanted a little grit in there and they were able to make that happen.
You had done a lot of work in gospel music before 'Idol,' why not record a gospel album? Did you think it would be too limiting?
I don't think it's limiting, I just love songs that tell a story and these are stories that I love to tell about. They're about the love that you encounter in life and everyday stories of people that happen and that to me is exciting. I'm still a Christian who does all different styles of music. There's a song on there called 'We Will Find a Way' that is definitely a gospel ballad that I love. I think there's something for everybody on the record. I didn't want to do just one thing, but I wanted to include everything that makes me, me, whether it's life or love or God.
How'd you end up in Nashville?I lived here for 11 years. I came here to finish school at Belmont University after transferring from University of Tulsa to study music in the music business. I got here and started finding out that people actually paid you to sing background. I had no idea that I could make a living at it so I was like I am staying because this is wonderful. I just started singing background and I loved Nashville and I wouldn't change it for the world. You can get everywhere from here, but it has that small town feel and that's what I like. It's a big city technically, but it feels like a small town.
You were invited to sing at the White House for President George W. Bush. What was that experience like?
It really started when I was on 'Idol.' That was the first year that they did 'Idol Gives Back' and I ended up getting to travel to Africa with The First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush. I went to Zambia with her and we had such a wonderful time figuring out how we could be more helpful. The President has a malaria initiative so I really wanted to get involved in. Because of traveling with her, she was getting honored at the White House with Colin Powell's youth alliance. They asked me to sing for that so I came and had dinner at the White House in the State dining room and the President made the seating chart and sat me right next to him. I was sitting next to President Bush just eating and hanging out and he was the sweetest man. It was awesome. Because of that, I also got sent on a Presidential delegation to Tanzania, so I've been to Africa twice now and can't wait to go back.
What was it like going back to the motherland?I don't even know how to describe it right except for that I think you should go. I wish it for everybody because it is so amazing. My favorite part actually was that in the midst of all the tragedy that's happening and all of the deaths that they're experiencing with malaria and HIV/AIDS, they are the most joyful people that I have ever encountered. To me, that shows you just how good God is and how he can give you joy in the midst of a situation. It's life changing to go there and witness that and know that we complain about so much, but we have it so good here and they don't have it as good as we do here. I can't wait to go back.
It's a hard transition for most 'American Idol' finalists because after the show is done and the tour is over, it's a return to the real world for most of them. For you, what was it like to come down off of the 'Idol' high?
The 'Idol' high – I like that! For me, it's been the most amazing experience. I love to travel; I love to be on the bus. That's the best sleep that I've ever gotten. I've still been able to tour and travel whether it's going to Africa or doing corporate shows here. I've gotten a great chance to be able to keep traveling. I've done two Christmas tours with Michael W. Smith and been able to record a record. I don't have any complaints. It's kind of a sleepless world that I live in right now, but other than that I don't have any complaints about it. I love it. I'm getting to do what I love and even more than I could have ever imagined I would be doing at this point.
There are only a small number of you that have success post-'Idol.' How does it feel to have a recording contract and actually be able to sing now that the show is done?
I feel so blessed to be able to continue to sing. The coolest thing about 'Idol' is that everybody that I know from my season; in whatever level they're doing it, they're continuing to sing and pursue their goals. 'Idol' opened doors that you wouldn't even imagine. Maybe you don't want to do a full record, maybe you want to do plays and be on Broadway or be a television personality and I've seen those doors open for a lot of contestants. I think that's the cool part about it and I think we're going to see a lot from the contestants on the season I was in.
Are you still a fan of the show and do you still watch?
Of course; I have to watch. It's still the number one show by far and that speaks for itself. 'Idol' to me is a phenomenon that I was blessed to be a part of and I can't see it stopping any time soon.
There are all of these reports that the ratings are down on 'American Idol.' Do you think the show is losing steam?
As much as people say that the numbers might have been down a little bit, all the numbers were down this season for all the television shows and the fact that is still talking about it everyday. You can't turn on the TV without seeing something so obviously it's still in the minds of people.
From your season, who do you communicate with most?
I talk to Jordin [ Sparks] the most regularly; we text a lot. She came to Nashville to do some writing for her next record so we hung out on one of the days that she was here. We were both in New York at the same time last week so we texted each other. Sanjaya [Malakar] lives in New York now so I get to keep up with him. I went to Lakisha [Jones'] wedding when she got married in October. Gina [Glocksen] just got married and I didn't get to go to her wedding, but we got to text back and forth. I try to stay in touch with as many as possible. Phil [Stacey] and Chris [Sligh] both moved to Nashville and we share the same management so I get to keep up with them that way. Jordin is the one that I talk to the most often.
Other that Jordin who won your season, which other 'American Idol' winner is your favorite?
Fantasia is my girl! I love Kelly Clarkson. I think Carrie Underwood is amazingly talented, but I'll have to say Fantasia and Kelly are my favorite winners.
*****
'Coming Back to You' hits stores on Feb. 3.
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