Alabama singers Jessica Meuse, C.J. Harris talk about pros, cons of 2014 'American Idol' tour
Here are some excerpts from recent phone conversations with Meuse, 23, and Harris, 23, during a tour stop in Florida:
Q: Is being on the "American Idol" tour what you expected?
Harris: It's definitely not what I expected at first, but we're all getting the hang of it. We've been on the road every day, getting exposure playing in front of a lot of people. Being on the road can be very different. My son, back home, is 2 years old and I get very homesick. I miss my son and my family. I'm not used to the big city out there; I'm just a small, little country boy from Alabama.
Meuse: It's a lot more fun than what I expected, and not as exhausting as I expected. Meeting my fans is better than I eve thought it would be. It's cool signing autographs. It's nice to put a face to the name of these people you've met online. I'm traveling, doing what I love and meeting people who made me what I am.
Q: Some fans have been disappointed to find there's no live band on this year's tour. What's it like performing to recorded tracks?
Harris: Having a band up there, you feed off the band. It's definitely a little different. It can be awkward, but I take what I have and work with it.
Meuse: I just try to focus on my timing, and try to play as well as I can. A track is so set, there's not a lot you can do with it. I started out with karaoke, and it's almost the same concept. All I was told was that they cut the budget.
Q: Jess, everyone seemed to love your original song "Blue-Eyed Lie" when you performed it on the TV show. But it's not on the setlist for the tour. What happened?
Meuse: Unfortunately, I didn't get to choose the songs I perform on the tour. I didn't get assigned that song. But I'm happy with the hand I've been dealt. I'm blessed to be here at all.
Q: You guys are performing "Cruise" by Florida Georgia Line now, with Jess picking up the part Dexter Roberts had before he left the tour. Tell us about that.
Harris: Yes, me and Jessica Meuse are doing "Cruise" on the tour. It's different than when I did it with Dexter, and she's bringing her own thing to it.
Meuse: I just had to learn it really fast. The day after he left, I was told, "We want you to learn it." It's really a fun song, and another chance to get my face out there.
Q: Have you been doing any songwriting during your spare time?
Harris: I'm just trying to keep up with Alex (Preston), Caleb (Johnson) and Sam (Woolf). We've been writing together, and I've been learning so much along the way.
Meuse: It's very hard to find time for songwriting. I have written a lot of lyrics, and when I get home, I'll be using the lyrics I've written.
Q: You've been playing to crowds all over the country. What are your thoughts about the tour coming to Birmingham?
Harris: It's going to be great in Birmingham. My mother will be there, my sister and a lot of friends.
Meuse: It's going to be the best show on the tour for me. So many people from Alabama will be there. It's a blessing to go home. It's probably going to be one of the best days of my life.
Q: "Idol" brought you to public attention, but it's obviously very demanding to be on live TV, performing for a national audience and facing the judges. Are you glad the show is over?
Harris: I grew up in the church, playing gospel music and singing in the choir. I guess I was a little nervous to go on "Idol," because I didn't know if I was prepared. I didn't have the training. Now, when I get on stage in front of these crowds, it doesn't matter if I have my eyes closed. I don't have to keep a camera view. I can calm down, relax and be myself. Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to see those lights on stage. Every time I get into my bed right after a show, I still can't believe I've been on stage. I'm having a lot more fun than I did on the TV show.
Meuse: I don't know. I kind of feel like famous is a state of mind. I'm just doing what I love. More people know me, and I have a platform. I pray that I don't become an egotistical freak. I'm not on a Justin Bieber level.
Q: Can you tell us anything about offers you've received for future projects? Any opportunities coming your way?
Harris: I've had some opportunities and some offers. When I got booted off the show, I got to play with Darius Rucker at the Grand Ole Opry. I actually think I'm going to play in Tuscaloosa with Darius. I try to stay focused every night, instead of wondering if I'm going to get signed.
Meuse: Right now, we're not allowed to do any of that. We're under contract, so we won't know about any of that until after the tour.
Q: During exit interviews for "Idol," all the Alabama contestants talked about moving to Nashville. Is that still the plan?
Harris: I am moving to Nashville. I'm actually working on a place in Nashville, with Sam and Alex. Nashville is about three hours from home, so it makes sense for me.
Meuse: I still really would like to go toward Nashville. It's a great place for writing. Music City is where I need to be.
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