TARC director named a chamber Star
January 27, 2016Hunters brace for final hunts of 2015-16 season
January 27, 2016
When Raceland native Cameron Richard told his parents he wanted to sing, the couple was understandably shocked. Cameron was born with a cleft palate, leaving his parents questioning whether their son would ever speak well, much less belt out a tune.
“He sang around the house sometimes but when he told us he wanted to sing, we were like, ‘What? You can’t sing!,”‘ his mother, Tina Richard, recalls.”… To watch him now, it’s been so amazing.”
Fast forward 15 years and Cameron’s name has become synonymous with his passion. In fact, he’s racking up quite an impressive performance resume. He swept the competition at just 11 years old during the 2011 CenterStage singing competition in Houma, walking away with the Top Special Talent Award at the 2013 National Beta Club Convention and recorded his first album featuring a handful of original work in October of that same year. Cameron was also invited by Ochsner, the hospital system that performed the surgery that has transformed his life, to serve as the opening act for the Ochsner Pediatrics Concert at the Civic Theatre in New Orleans in 2013. And he sang the National Anthem in front of some of the area’s most notable citizens just last year during Ochsner’s Moonlight and Miracles Gala, a fundraiser for the hospital system’s cancer programs.
That has been stepping stones, though, to what is arguably Cameron’s most exciting gig to date – a spot among the nearly 200 contestants talented enough to nab a golden ticket from “American Idol” judges Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. After making it past round after round of preliminary cuts, an experience his mother described as both exhausting and exciting, Cameron landed in front of the judges, a performance that aired Jan. 7 during the Little Rock, Arkansas, auditions, which took place over the summer.
“I picked ‘American Idol’ over ‘The Voice’ because ‘American Idol’ is the only show I actually remember watching as a young kid,” he said of the popular show, now in its final season. “Seeing stars who I have grown to love through their season on the show and their careers, such as Kelly Clarkson, have really made being on and hopefully winning ‘American Idol’ a dream I always wanted to go after.”
During the audition, Cameron wooed judges with his bayou-born accent and take on Ed Sheeran’s “Give Me Love.” The song choice was a no-brainer for him, noting that Sheeran’s acoustic, pop-in-fused sound is reminiscent of his own.
“His style and genre are probably one of the closest of any artist’s style to mine,” Cameron said. “Many people claim I am country especially with my south Louisiana accent, but I see myself as an artist that pulls many genres together as one.”
And that list of influences is about as diverse as it can get. He named Taylor Swift, Beyonce and legends like Stevie Wonder and Led Zeppelin among his favorites. It’s not just about their voice, he said, but also their stage presence.
“Singing a song is one thing but to perform a song and make people feel emotions while singing it is the
ultimate challenge for a singer,” Cameron explained. “My favorite American Idol’ is Carrie Underwood. She exploits many of the same qualities of the other artists I mentioned. All of these singers found their style, stuck with it and completely excelled in it through their music and that’s exactly what I want to do.”
And it was this special blend of sheer talent and ability to win over a crowd that not only charmed the judges but America as well. Social media lit up with praise for the young singer on the night the audition aired and his pitch-perfect performance even earned him a nod from season seven contestant Jason Castro, who posted a photo of Cameron’s image on his television to his Facebook page.
Cameron’s American Idol’ journey continues tonight and tomorrow as the contestants head to California for what has become known as the most grueling part of the show, a rapid-fire elimination phase of individual and group performances that eventually narrow down the pack to just 24. Regardless of the outcome, however, the singer said he is just happy to have been part of the iconic competition’s swan song.
“When I first tried out, I never thought I would get this far,” Cameron said. “I never doubted myself, however, I knew my chances would be slim especially in a spot to be on the last season. Words cannot describe how special I feel about American Idol’ letting me be part of this milestone in the show’s history. The show will always be close to my heart.”
Local fans can catch Cameron live as he kicks off Ochsner’s King Cake Festival this Sunday with the National Anthem at 11 a.m. in Champions Square. He will perform a short set at 2:55 p.m.
Season Seven American Idol contestant Jason Castro gives a nod to Raceland native and Season 15 hopeful Cameron Richard during the singer’s Little Rock, Arkansas audition, which aired Jan. 7. Richard’s journey to Hollywood Week airs tonight and tomorrow on Fox.
American Idol hopeful Cameron Richard shows off his golden ticket, a pass to the next round of auditions that will eventually narrow down the final 24 contestants to grace the stage during American Idol’s farewell season.
