Chris Richardson began formally following his dream when he appeared on the 2007 season of American Idol. With an inimitable presence and soulful delivery, he landed in the show's top five and captured the hearts of audiences everywhere during the "American Idols" tour. He didn't stop after Idol though. He spent four years perfecting his craft and writing. In 2010, Richardson signed to Cash Money Records to build to their already successful pop roster. Now, he's begun tenaciously working on what will become his full-length debut for the label. In the meantime, he's lending his vibrant, vivacious vocals to Tyga's brand new single "Far Away" and collaborating with other chart-topping acts. Richardson's dream is only just beginning to come true.

For Richardson, making records requires a delicate balance of soul, rock, and R&B. While growing up the son of a military dad in Virginia Beach, he immersed himself in everything from Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder to The Eagles and Aerosmith. Along the way - from singing into his trash can at five-years-old to auditioning on Idol at 23 - Richardson built his own style. He sums up the sound best saying, "It's blue-eyed soul, but there's an organic feel to the music. I love to mix the soulful and rock sides."

That mix comes with potent and poignant lyrics that Richardson considers a hallmark of his style. It's easy to hear in the new material, which will comprise his forthcoming solo offering. "The [upcoming] album covers a whole different mesh of times in my life. In the lyrics, I'm honestly exploring all of these situations. Now, I get the chance to blend everything together and put it out there."

Entering the Cash Money Records family, he has come to create and push boundaries by collaborating with a myriad of artists. He exclaims, "Cash Money allow me to spread my wings and do what comes naturally for me. They support everything that I do. It's a breath of fresh air, and I feel like I'm blessed at this moment." www.ChrisRichardsonMusic.com Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.