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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Jordin Sparks speaks!
Jordin Sparks is rarely home for the holidays.
Not by choice, mind you.
The daughter of a former NFL player, her family was often on the road when Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s rolled around.
“Our lives have been kind of unconventional,” she said via phone from her Phoenix home, just hours after having all her wisdom teeth yanked.
And, now, after winning Season 6 of “American Idol,” the 18-year-old is busy crisscrossing the country, singing at venues big and small and promoting her self-titled album, which hit stores a year ago this week.
One of those stops: Austin. She’ll be in town Saturday to perform at this year’s tree-lighting ceremony at The Domain in North Austin.
Jordin is “pretty sure” she’s been here before — her family lived in Plano when dad Phillippi played for the Dallas Cowboys — but the singer isn’t altogether certain of that. She has heard lots of good things though.
“I’ve heard it’s huge,” she said. “I’ve heard everybody’s very, very sweet and all the guys are gentlemen. So I’m excited to go.”
Those throat problems from earlier this year? They’re long gone, thankyouverymuch. So expect the full Jordin Sparks experience.
“Everything’s good. Everything’s A-OK. It was definitely very, very scary, but I got over it. I stayed in my room for about three weeks straight not talking to anybody. Used the computer — that’s basically how I communicated. It was crazy.”
In fact, Jordin is set to rejoin Alicia Keys’ tour next month. (She’ll take time out to be a bridesmaid in “Idol” pal Gina Glocksen’s wedding on Dec. 31.) After that, she’s due to start work on a second album.
“Right now, we’re getting new songs pitched to us. We don’t have anything in mind yet, but we’re working on it.”
With musical tastes all over the map — Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, Kanye West and T.I., Nat King Cole and Patsy Cline — the possibilities are endless.
“I don’t really know what kind of sound I want for my album, or how many songs, or what kind of look I’m going to do. I’m so confused. I don’t know.”
One thing she does know: the importance of her many supportive fans. And she’s thankful. Very thankful.
“I just want to say thank you to the people who voted for me on the show. And thank you for requesting my songs on the radio and sticking with me. And I hope when I put out my new album that it will be just as good — or even better — than my first one. Just stick with me because I’m definitely trying.”
Click here to hear our interview in its entirety.
The Domain Lighting of Macy’s Great Tree presented by Cadillac
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: North entrance to Macy’s at The Domain, 11701 N. MoPac Expressway
Performers: Jordin Sparks, Dan Dyer, Christian Life Church choir
Cost: Free
More information: 795-4230
