By Glenn Gamboa
Newsday
NEW YORK - For Candice Glover, touring is a whole new experience.
The 23-year-old from St. Helena Island, S.C., says she never traveled much before hitting the road as the reigning “American Idol” champ, along with the 10 other finalists. Despite her polished, poignant performances on the show, she says she’s still learning to interact with the crowds.
“I’m getting better the more shows we do,” says Glover, calling from a tour stop in Charleston, S.C. “I’m not really a talker, so I wasn’t too good at hyping up the crowd.”
She balks at the idea that her win and her ongoing work on her debut album will be enough to stop the performance suggestions from her family and friends. “No,” she says, laughing. “I don’t think so.”
Q: Was there a point when you knew you had a good chance at winning “American Idol”?
A: I went through the whole thing more nervous than probably anybody who’s ever been on that show ever. After having auditioned so many times, you never expect to come back. You just want to do a good job. You just want to try your best. I never thought I was going to win at all.
Q: Not even on finale night?
A: No, not on finale night. I told Kree (Harrison, the season’s runner-up) the whole night that she was gonna win. I was prepared for that.
Q: Well, one of the high points of the season - maybe the entire show - was your performance of “Love Song.” How did you prepare for that? How long had you known that song?
A: It was about a month between the time my friend sent (the Adele version) to me and the time I performed it. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m in love with this song,’ but I never expected the reception to be that great from it.
Q: How is work on your album coming? Its release got pushed back to October.
A: I’ve been working with Harvey Mason Jr., Toby Gad, Rodney Jerkins. I’ve been having a lot of fun writing with them and recording with them … I’m getting the chance to debut a new song on tour … It’s called “In the Middle,” and it was co-written by Fantasia … The reaction’s been really good to it … I’m the type of person who wants to put my all into everything. I’m going to put everything I have into the tour, and then I’ll put everything I have into putting the album out there.
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