Sunday, February 11, 2007
A year ago, John Legend was totally set for life — he had a platinum album and more Grammy nominations than some of the biggest names in the biz.
Then again, that's probably what Christopher Cross once thought before the earth cracked open and swallowed him whole.
A year later, though, Legend has another platinum album, a few more Grammy nods and a reputation that now stretches from here to Bahrain.
As the Springfield soul sensation tries to add three more Grammys to his resume tonight, there's word he'll help Michael Jackson stage a comeback.
Not bad for a guy who was supposed to take his best new artist award and report to the cutout bin.
"I'm excited to be back at the Grammys," Legend explained. "A lot of people, they would ask me about this whole sophomore jinx thing. I didn't believe in it. I didn't believe it was going to happen to me.
"I'm not just a flash in the pan."
Everywhere you look, the former John Stephens is making his case.
From throwing it down with Kanye and Fergie at the Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Bash to classing it up with Tony Bennett, Legend is here to stay.
Oh, yeah, and it's worth noting that his months-old second album, "Once Again," has sold 1.6 million copies.
"I would say my odds are pretty good at doing well given the past history of best new artist," Legend reasoned.
You see, nobody ever mentions that Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and some little combo called the Beatles also won the best new artist Grammy. (It's just a lot more fun to point out the Men at Works and the Hooties.)
And while being invited back to the Grammys — he'll also perform on tonight's show with John Mayer and Corinne Bailey Rae — solidifies his star power, Legend concedes one thing.
"It's not the same," he said. "Because we had so many nominations last year, and it was my first time being nominated, it was such a big night. It was just a different feeling."
Besides, he's busy enough right now.
Legend, who just a month ago was touring Japan and Singapore, will begin work this month producing younger brother Vaughn Anthony's R&B debut. (Vaughn Anthony is former North High hoops star Vaughn Stephens.)
Then there's this whole business of helping Jackson get back on his throne.
Legend hung out with the one-time king of pop in Bahrain and again in Tokyo, and will be writing songs for his next project.
"He was the biggest pop star of our childhood," Legend said. "I'm sure the world is heavily anticipating what he's going to do next, and hopefully, I'll be a part of it."
(springfieldnewssun)
