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Anthony Campbell, the Spotsylvania-based singer who won NBC's 'Today's Superstar' contest in 2003, records - |
By BEN SELLERS
December is an exciting time for Anthony Campbell.
It was two years ago this month that the Spotsylvania-based singer was riding atop his newfound wave of celebrity after having won NBC's "Today's Superstar" contest.
And last year around this time, Campbell assumed yet another title: professional musician. He left his 13-year career at Saturn of Fredericksburg to record full time in Nashville with a former King George County classmate-turned-studio-exec, Chris Estes.
But while that move, along with the January 2005 debut of "Release Me," almost guaranteed another groundbreaking year to follow, turning his talent into a recording career hasn't been easy for Campbell.
"People outside Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas, they really don't know what we are and what we're doing," Campbell said in a phone interview.
As his two young children played in the background, it was easy to imagine some of the daily hardships the 36-year-old family man faces in marketing his CDs, booking gigs and keeping his music dreams both fresh and flexible.
Ultimately, Campbell said, he has his sights on a recording contract. But before he can get signed, he must first become established, marketable and successful enough to lure label representatives to shows.
"They don't just sign artists because they are great singers or do any one thing really well," he said. "They're looking for a fully packaged product."
It's a sort of Catch-22 for aspiring musicians in Campbell's position, and has required his making some shrewd business decisions. One of those was dropping his longtime pal Estes as manager, though Campbell has a deal to record two more records at Estes' Bestes Music studio.
"What we both came to agreement on is Chris is much better at production--that's really his niche," he said.
Campbell, who also parted ways with a second manager, Jeffrey Pierce, is now his own free agent. The soulful performer has continued honing his image while awaiting the next big break.
Campbell's latest efforts have included promoting his songs on Myspace.com, a popular networking site, and pitching his new Christmas single to local radio stations.
He's also established a full-time backing band, featuring drummer Paul Manuel, bassist Quintin Berry and local jazz guitarist Bruce Middle. Campbell plans to tour with the band in late spring or early summer.
"We would like to believe that it's going to be big, but we really don't know," he said. "A lot of it's going to depend on financiers, investors, sponsorship."
Campbell has every reason to be encouraged, however. His CD sold well this year, he said. And his participation in a September Hurricane Katrina benefit at the University of Mary Washington helped raise more than $10,000 through donations and partial proceeds from CD sales, he added.
More recently, Campbell shared the stage with another "Today" show celebrity, Willard Scott, during the Governor's Award banquet for Virginia's emergency medical services, in Norfolk.
If his tour goes well, Campbell might be spending next December in the national limelight again. But for now, his words echo his many statements to fans and reporters back during the "Today" show competition.
"We'll see," he said. "God has a plan, and we'll leave it in his hands."
To reach BEN SELLERS:
Email: bsellers@freelancestar.com
