The words of Simon Cowell (American Idol’s cantankerous and caustic-tongued judge), no longer affect B-Rite Music's new artist, RJ Helton.

Helton, who became a top-five finalist during the first season of the ever-popular American Idol showdown, gained national and industry attention as not only a contender, but a potential explosive talent as well. Subsequent to the completion of the show, the Atlanta-reared Helton chose B-Rite Music as his label home, and his well-received debut, Real Life was released on March 23, 2004. RJ Helton broke things down for Gospelflava.com, in this one-on-one interview:


Gospelflava.com: You titled your debut album Real Life, what’s the significance in that title?

RJ Helton: I had the opportunity to co-write eight of the album's twelve songs, music and lyrics. I wrote from experience, my life experiences —real issues that I’ve had to deal with. The album title tied into the whole 'reality' thing, and I thought that was kind of funny, actually!


Gospelflava.com: As a new artist and with an album now in stores, what have you been up to lately?

RJ Helton: Right now, we’re just promoting the record and trying to get the word out. It’s all promotional touring right now, with some shows and signing at different venues. It’s a lot of fun. I’m doing a lot of the morning shows around the country, really.


Gospelflava.com: So you have a lot of energy going now, and have received positive feedback from the album, and of course, helped by your American Idol status?

Real Life

RJ Helton's strongest songs are the mid-tempo, soaring ballads, where the bigness of his voice is allowed to fill the song. Case in point is "All We Need To Know", which has Helton collaborating with songwriter Natalie Grant.... See full album review.

RJ Helton: Yeah, I’ve gotten really good feedback, surprisingly. The album has been reviewed a couple of times and it has always been really good, so yeah it’s really cool.


Gospelflava.com: Can you tell us the differences between what you're doing now, and what you were doing when you were on American Idol?

RJ Helton: Well, obviously now it’s me by myself. It’s me doing my own thing, doing my music that I love to do. That’s pretty much the difference. And I have a label now, versus the ten of us [American Idol contenders] sharing one publicist. So it’s cool that I have a team devoted to me, which is really nice.


Gospelflava.com: As a top-five finalist on American Idol, what do you consider was that main factor that lead the audience to identify with you?

RJ Helton: I think that I tried my hardest not to be someone cocky who thought that they were better than everyone else. I just tried to keep a humble attitude, and not fight back with the judges, because I think that’s tacky. Other than that, I just tried to be positive, smile as much as I could, and again, be humble.


Gospelflava.com: How did the experience with the show prepare you for where you are now in your career?

RJ Helton: It was what I call a boot camp into the industry! No, it was good. It taught me a lot about performing. It taught me a lot about patience, and obviously you have to perform and have patience when you're in a business like this.


Gospelflava.com: So it hasn’t been too hectic for you?

RJ Helton: No, things do get kind of crazy sometimes, which comes with the territory. I knew that much getting into it. There are days when I don’t get to sleep very much or eat, but in the long run it’s all definitely worth it. I love doing it. I love traveling and meeting new people. So it’s not an issue for me.


Gospelflava.com: What made you choose the B-Rite Music record label?

RJ Helton: I wanted to be able to sing about my faith, but I also wanted to sing about love and relationships, and other issues that people go through every single day. B-Rite was ready to let me do all of that. They weren’t going to hold me down and put me into one box, they said that they would let me branch out and be a light for the rest of the world. Not just for Christians.


Gospelflava.com: What is your church background?

RJ Helton: I was raised a Southern Baptist. I still go to a Baptist church back home. Every once in awhile I do go to non-denominational churches —just kind of a community church. I was a youth praise and worship leader back in Georgia, which was really good. It was fun being able to lead young people into worship and have them accept me the way that they did.


Gospelflava.com: With labelmates at Gospo Centric / B-Rite Music such as Gospel music royalty like Dorinda Clark-Cole and Kirk Franklin, what is it like to be part of such a team?

RJ Helton: I can’t get enough of Dorinda, I’m telling you that much. She’s amazing. It’s almost surreal being surrounded by these people. Dorinda Clark-Cole has this anointing that I have never seen, felt, or heard by any other person ever. She is truly amazing. And she has such a gentle spirit about her that you look at her and know exactly who she is and what she’s about.

I’m very honored to be with these people, Kurt Carr, Byron Cage, who I love, and Percy Bady, who is a good friend of mine. Obviously Kirk Franklin too, who has set such a high standard for Gospel music. He merged mainstream and gospel music together, and that’s what’s great.


Gospelflava.com: What artists do you want to work with in the future?

RJ Helton: I don’t know, there are so many that I want to work with. I definitely want to work with my good friend Kelly Clarkson [from American Idol]. You know she’s done really well. We had planned awhile ago to do a duet when she won. I would love to do something with Byron Cage and Dorinda, I think we would be a great trio. I would love to get into all of that. But I have to wait and focus on this album.