Bo Bice

Bo Bice, whose real name is Harol Elwin Bice (he got his nickname “Bo” from his grandmother who thought he looked like Humphrey Bogart), was born in Huntsville, Alabama on November 1, 1975. Bo comes from a family very passionate about music: “My father played guitar, banjo and mandolin. My mother and her three cousins were in a group called the Singing Jays, and my mom sang at the Grand Ole Opry.” He claims that he'd been singing since he'd learned to talk. Bo’s parent had a great collection of records that inspired Bo to make his own, in which he stacked artists like Steve Miller, Boston, the Rolling Stones, and the James Gang. He got formal training at a high school choir and taught himself to play the piano and the guitar. He started performing when he was nine years old. On his ninth birthday, he received his first real guitar, an electric Squire Telecaster, he won his first competition at Brown Elementary School in Syrma, Georgia, and then later on second place at the Georgia State Competition (singing "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood). When he was twelve, he won the state vocal competition in Atlanta. Since he was in high school, Bo has always been in touch with the music scene by either writing songs, producing, recording or playing in bands.

It was a bet made with his mother that led Bo Bice from Helena, Alabama to the singing contest TV show “American Idol”. His mother dared him to audition for the show; if he did she would have to reply with her part of the deal which consisted not only in driving him but also in sleeping in the convention hall during the auditioning process. More than 100,000 people auditioned that year (2004) for the show. He sang two songs for the judges who gave him the prized pass to Hollywood. Even though he was not given that much attention as other participants like Carrie Underwood or fellow rocker Constantine Maroulis during the auditions process he was able to charm some fans. After being in danger by being in the bottom three he was able to pull up some powerful appealing performances which led Bo to contend for the title in the final against Carrie Underwood. Even though he did not win, he showed no disappointment about being second place, on the contrary, he seemed very satisfied.

Bo Bice started out with a rock band called "Purge", then moved on to "Blue Suede Nickel", and then to "Sugar Money". After taking part in “American Idol” he was able to release a solo album. The Record titled “The Real Thing” includes collaborations between Bo and eight different producers and songwriters including Chad Kroeger (of Nickelback), Max Martin, John Shanks, and Marti Frederickson. It also includes original material in which Bo Bice contributed with his creative genius. After years of longing for success he was able to make it into the music industry he was so passionate for and went from guitar-store manager to releasing his first solo album.