Keeping it real: 'American Idol' runner-up George Huff relies on talent, not over-production


Published in the Asbury Park Press 12/24/04
By CHRIS JORDAN
Gannett New Jersey
A listen to George Huff's new Christmas CD is a window to an R&B world that could be.

It's a work of clear, vibrant tones -- music that breathes -- and Huff's own velvety, soulful voice, unadorned by studio wizardry.


As a teen, R&B crooner George Huff was dogged by his resemblance to Steve Urkel, but that brush with geekdom is long gone.
It's a little sample of what Huff can do, and it shows much promise. There's a life in Huff's Christmas EP that much of today's over-produced R&B can't touch.

How come more R&B isn't like this? It's because of a fear in the industry, Huff said.

"Everything is over-produced because the stakes are so high," Huff said. "In order to make it better, they always feel they have to add something and something is not necessarily better."

Most new music these days is tricked up and blanded out. What really distinguishes a "1, 2 Step" by Ciara from "Soldier" by Destiny's Child, except for each song's rap?

"It's just everybody trying to be hip to the trends instead of saying, 'I'm going to be who I'm going to be,' " Huff said.

At the moment, the 24-year-old New Orleans native is best known for being a fifth place finisher on 2004's "American Idol." The series does tend to favor formulaic singers, but contestants on the show do actually sing.

That's something in itself.

"One thing great about the 'American Idol' show is you have to sing," Huff said. "It's not computerized -- it's really singing."

Huff kind of had to come out of his shell a little bit on the show.

"I had some past issues," said the congenial Huff. "I used to wear glasses, and back in school they used to call me Steve Urkel.

That would be Steve Urkel, resident geek on the '90s TV show "Family Matters."

Huff didn't have any Urkel flashbacks to worry about on the show, nor did the notorious Simon Cowell, creator of "American Idol," put him off.

"He's all right," said Huff of Cowell, whose "American Idol" returns to Fox on Jan. 18. "What he brings to the show is very important. It's needed for the contestants to get into the real world, which can be so dry and demanding and full of cold hearts. (Yet) it is difficult to hear him correct you on national television."

That's over with, and Huff now has "My Christmas EP!" available through Word Records, a Christian subsidiary of Warner Bros. An LP of Huff's contemporary jams is due in the spring from Warner Bros.

"We're just going to be doing some positive music that lasts through the generations," Huff said. "It's going to be great."

Trish thanks for this article...it's a great article

have i ever mentioned how much i love george? beautiful artcile and georges words were beautifully said!

Thanks Trish Great Job Brother George!

I Love you!

Aww, I really liked that. Thanks, Trish.

Great article