Singer McCartney has some AZ connections going for him
By Gerald M. Gay
ggay@azstarnet.com
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.07.2008
Jesse McCartney should have little problem selling out the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale on Friday.
Aside from the "theater style" set-up for the show, which equates to around 5,000 seats available when all is said and done, the former Dream Street singer has a few things going for him in Arizona.
â—Ź McCartney is touring with Jordin Sparks and Sparks is a Glendale girl. She has had several major hits from her debut album, including "Tattoo" and her Chris Brown duet, "No Air."
â—Ź "Leavin'," McCartney's first single off his third solo album, "Departure" has been bouncing around the Billboard charts and was at No. 10 on the Hot 100 as of press time. "Bleeding Love," the Leona Lewis ditty that McCartney co-wrote with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, was at No. 9.
â—Ź McCartney has received an added boost in Arizona from powerhouse DJs Johnjay Van Es and Rich Berra. The 21-year-old has made several appearances on their morning show, which airs weekdays on KRQ (93.7-FM) in Tucson. McCartney's label even flew the two out to Los Angeles so Berra could accompany McCartney on an acoustic version of "Leavin'." That particular version will be available for a limited time on iTunes, Amazon and more than 100 other digital download sites starting at midnight on Aug. 26, according to show reps. Proceeds will go to benefit the show's "Christmas Wish" charity.
Besides all the advantages, McCartney is still early enough in his career that he enjoys the touring. "When you go places you've never been and people are singing your songs, it is kind of overwhelming," said an enthusiastic McCartney in a phone interview from his Los Angeles home.
Caliente spoke to the young singer late last month.
What are your thoughts on Jordin Sparks?
"I'm a big fan. She is one of the few Idols that came off that show that really has some amazing chops and a good spirit about her. I can see why she has a great fan base and why she connects to the crowd. She is easy to relate to and she is just such a sweet person. I met her three weeks ago in Florida when I found out we were going to be touring."
You sing, but you've also spent years acting. Which do you enjoy more?
"I go back and forth depending on what day you ask me. For me, the music has definitely taken a front seat. I've worked so hard and so long on this album, this third solo record. I am putting all my chips in this basket for now. After this one, I plan on doing a lot more film. I feel like I do have a lot more to offer on that front."
Did you ever think "Leavin' " would turn into the monster hit it has become?
"No one knows ever. We sort of hoped. We were hoping it would do well. When I first heard it, I had to have them re-send it to me without the demo singer because the singer was killing it for me. But somewhere in there, I could hear it was melodic and catchy and fun.
"The way you hear it, it sort of has a way of tying the old Jesse into this new sound. It has a nice bridging of the gap type feel to it. It is still laid back, very vocal heavy, but it definitely has that urban rhythmic feel to it that we are definitely moving toward."
Of course, Johnjay and Rich probably helped a bit here in Arizona. They play the acoustic version of the song all the time.
"We flew Rich out to L.A. to come record that with me so I'm sure he is a little cocky. He likes to play his own jam."
Many critics have cited this as a more adult departure from your previous albums. Were you worried about losing fans of the old Jesse?
"You are always nervous making a record because you want to make sure you have all the right songs. That you are not forced into finishing a record before you are finished. I wasn't at all worried about the direction I was moving toward because I felt that it was honest. To me, the fan will realize in a heartbeat if you are being dishonest and if something is uncomfortable.
"I think there was some shock value for the younger crowd. But for fans who have grown up with me there is a little bit of relief for some of them, like 'Wow. He went there.' They have been incredibly supportive.
"It was an appropriate record. I wrote it for that of a 21-year-old and that's what it is. I'm really happy with it."
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