CORPUS CHRISTI — Among the many facets that make up the career of Usher — chart-topping R&B artist, part owner of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, actor and owner of his label, US Records — he also has taken on the role of mentor to several young artists, including teen pop sensation Justin Bieber.
Asked what he saw that made him want to work with Bieber, Usher, in an early November teleconference interview, had this to say.
“I saw a very promising future and someone who is very dedicated, first and foremost,” Usher said. “Obviously, (he’s) a fan of current pop culture because the songs that he was singing were very relevant. He sang Ne-Yo, he sang Chris Brown, and he sang my songs nice and strong. And just the fact that he had a nice range. That began to tell me, OK this kid is really on it — not to mention he plays guitar, he plays piano, he plays the drums.
“He’s just uber-talented,” Usher said. “He has so much to pull from no matter which direction we decided to go with, introducing him as an artist.”
Usher is thrilled about Bieber’s quick rise to stardom, but he hasn’t been overly surprised by Bieber’s success.
“You know what, I never sell myself short, I’ll tell you that much,” Usher said. “I aim to be the best and aim to introduce the best and have association with things that I think speak on the integrity of music and entertainment. You know, for me, what I saw in him, he was the type of artist that I wanted to be associated with, someone that I felt like would really be able to absorb everything that I would have to offer. And I always told him, I said, ‘You know, you can be as big as you want to be, all depending on your dedication. How bad do you want this?’ And he said, ‘I really want it.’ I said, ‘OK, and you’ll make it. You’ll have it all.’ ”
Quick Hits
- Grammy-winning country singer Martina McBride has left her long-time label home of RCA for a deal with Big Machine/Republic Nashville Records. McBride’s new label, is enjoying massive success with its flagship artist, Taylor Swift.
- Mr. Mister’s fourth and final album, “Pull,” which has remained unreleased since it was completed in 1990, is being released Nov. 23. The band had a pair of chart-topping hits in the 1980s, “Broken Wings” and “Kyrie.” Apparently enough fans remember the band.
- Justin Bieber, B.o.B., Katy Perry, Miranda Lambert and Bruno Mars are among the performers set for this year’s “Grammy Nominations Concert Live” television special. Nominees for the Grammy Awards (Feb. 13) will be announced during the one-hour special, which will air Dec. 1 on CBS.
- Phish’s Aug. 14 show at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin has been documented on a two CD/two DVD set, “Alpine Valley 2010,” to be released Dec. 14.
- Snoop Dogg is aiming for a March release of his 11th studio CD, “Doggumentary Music.” Snoop plans to go live on Ustream at various points as the CD is being recording to give fans a look in on the project.
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