The young Michigan native with the great pipes and dynamic stage presence has recorded a self-titled debut album that will carry his brand of high-energy country to the nation's radio airwaves. Josh signed with Lyric Street Records after a process that culminated in a life changing audition. It took place in a Music Row office before just a handful of label executives; a scenario that has been known to terrify even experienced entertainers. Josh, though, is made of sterner stuff. "Surprisingly," he says, "I wasn't nervous at all." His Marine training and toughness were no doubt one element; that along with the lifetime he had spent on stages, big and small, honing his singing and performing skills.

Josh was, after all, a man who had already faced down one of our culture's most iconic figures; the dream-skewering American Idol judge, Simon Cowell. Faced with his sometimes withering British disdain, Josh held his ground. Josh's success on the show speaks volumes about a young man whose talent and intensity are accompanied by an innate sense of over-the-top showmanship. His American Idol Two performances were models of audience excitement, which triggered an onslaught of fan letters and chat room adulation that made him a natural for attention from Music Row. Especially given his affection for country music on a national show that is skewed toward the world of pop and hip-hop.

His debut album, Josh Gracin, captures the world-class voice and performing magic that made him such a star on American Idol Two. Songs like his debut single, "I Want To Live." The album's energy draws directly from the fire Josh displays on stage; a place that has long felt like home to him. "When I'm up on the stage," he says, "it's like a whole new world for me. I love performing. I'm a firm believer that it's really great for a singer to have a good voice, but to bring it to another level you have to draw the audience in and make them part of the music, make them feel what you're feeling."

Like other fans of Josh Gracin, I first saw him perform on American Idol Two, indeed. I was drawn in by his ability to belt out a great Garth Brooks tune or sing a tender country ballad from Rascal Flatts. Probably, too, as other fans of country music feel, it did not seem fair that Josh should be so harshly judged on American Idol simply because the judges were not that familiar with the country music genre. For this reason and others, I wanted to find out for our readers what brought Josh to Nashville and how his debut album came about. Catching up with Josh was no easy task, as his career in the Marines continues. But, I was able to speak with him briefly.

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Christine: I know that you are on a very tight schedule with being in the military, so I will get right to the questions.

Josh: (laughing) Okay, thanks!

Christine: Josh, I understand that you grew up listening to the pop artists, like the Beatles, whom your parent's enjoyed. What drew you to country music?

Josh: Just the overall life part of it... very easy to relate to and to sing.

Christine: You appear to admire Garth Brooks a great deal, even singing one of his tunes, "Standing Outside The Fire", in an eighth grade talent competition. Could you tell our readers what is especially appealing about Garth's music to you?

Josh: Just the fact that it changed music at that time. It really brought it to the forefront as far as getting other demographics, mainly the teens, involved in country music, which wasn't normal for country music. The overall presence of Garth on stage, the way he performs, and the way that he treats his fans and what he does for his fans. That really drew me to him.

Christine: I couldn't agree more with you. It was Garth who made me take a second look at country music. Like yourself, I grew up in the hay day of "rock music" listening to the Beatles and the entire British invasion. But, it was Garth who made me take notice and ask, "Hey, what's going on in country music?"

Josh: Exactly!

Christine: I understand that your first experience on the Grand Ole Opry stage was actually as a part of a talent competition. Could you tell us about this?

Josh: Yes! When I was about sixteen, it was just a little talent competition. It was mainly for people who wrote their own songs and for those who had bands and stuff. It was an opportunity for me to get, however, up there and sing on the Grand Ole Opry stage. It was neat for me to have that feeling of standing on stage where so many country legends had stood. It was just a really cool experience.

Christine: Having lived in Massachusetts and so far away from Nashville, I never thought that I would be able to get to the Grand Ole Opry. The first time that I sat in the Opry audience, I cried my eyes out. I could not believe that I was actually sitting there and could feel that presence of those past country artists who had helped to build country music. It is an awesome experience.

Josh: It is amazing. You can actually feel it.

Christine: What made you decide to try auditioning for American Idol Two?

Josh: Well, I had been trying to get into music since I was sixteen. I had gone down to Nashville and was trying to get a demo. But, things just weren't working out, so I went into the military. I saw the show on television and my wife said, "Maybe you should try out for that." I got permission from my command, and I did and made it.

Christine: After your fourth place standing on American Idol, do you feel that you were given a fair chance to win the competition after Simon Cowell admitted that he had no clue how to judge a country music artist?

Josh: (laughing) I think that I did. Everything was fair. It was the American people who choose. If they like you, they like you... if they don't, they don't. I was proud to have gone as far as I did. The show did a lot for me. Who knows what I might have been doing had I won the competition? I might not have been getting to sing country music.

Christine: Well, we fans of country music really appreciated that you stood your ground and continued to perform what you love - country music - on American Idol. More or less saying, "I do country music, deal with me."

Josh: Exactly!

Christine: I understand that it was after Rascal Flatts saw you perform one of their tunes on American Idol that lead to your going to Nashville. Could you tell our readers more about this?

Josh: Oh man, they were literally on their tour bus ten minutes before I came on American Idol and performed "I'm Moving On." They saw me singing and right away they called Marty Williams, who produced their first album, and got me in contact with Marty. Marty flew me out to Nashville and had me sing for Lyric Street and I got my deal. So, Rascal Flatts had a lot to do with it.

Christine: That's just awesome because we felt here at AngryCountry that you were terrific, too.

Josh: Oh, thank you very much.

Christine: Now that your first single release, "I Want To Live", has gained the attention of country radio, how has trying to juggle a career in both the military and country music been for you?

Josh: It has been very, very hard and a real strain on my family. We've been getting through it and are almost done with my tour of duty, which ends in September. So, we've just about completed it.

Christine: I believe that your debut album will be released on June 15th. Will you be able to do a radio tour to help promote the album?

Josh: I will be doing some kind of thing. I know that we have a week planned. I am actually going to be taking leave for a week. They have some things planned, but I am not exactly sure what. I do know that there are some television spots planned and interviews and things like that. As far as a radio tour, that will have to be after I step out of the Marine Corps.

Christine: With a career in the military, is it going to be possible for you to attend FanFair this year to also help promote your new single, album, and to meet with fans?

Josh: I certainly hope so, but I do have to time-manage everything. It depends on the Marine Corps, at that point, whether I can take leave or whether the Marine Corps will need me to do something. If I can't this year, I will certainly be there next year.

Christine: Well, I know that your fans are hoping that you'll get to attend.

Josh: (laughing) Me, too!

Christine: Will it be difficult for you to set aside a career in the military, after your tour of duty is ended, to further pursue your country music ambitions?

Josh: No! When I signed up, I knew that all I wanted to do was four years to get a foundation and have something to fall back on, to have a platform to start from. That is exactly what my intentions were when I first signed up, so I am ready to go.

Christine: You're off to a good start, as your first single is certainly terrific.

Josh: Well, thank you very much.

Christine: We have a signature question that we like to ask every artist. What is the one thing that your fans would be most surprised to know about you?

Josh: Oh man, that I actually do like all kinds of music including rap. I mean, I am a big fan of every kind of music. Look at my album, you'll find all kinds of music in there. I really think that helps. If you do the music that you love to sing, maybe someone will like your style or find something different that people can grab on to.

Christine: And finally, is there anything else that you would like to say to our readers and to your fans?

Josh: Well, thank you for making the single successful so far. It takes listeners to make it successful and it takes people calling into the radio stations and requesting the single to make it successful. I appreciate everything that is being done right now. Everything is moving fast. The single is going strong, and I cannot wait for the release of the album.

Christine: I know that your fans are excited for you and are anxiously awaiting the album's release. All the best for continued success. I know that you must get back to your military responsibilities, so thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for us at AngryCountry.

Josh: Well, thank you very much.

NOTE: AngryCountry would like to thank Josh Gracin and Gene for making the interview possible and working around a very tight schedule. We appreciate it very much.