BWW Interview: AMERICAN IDOL Winner Phillip Phillips Chats About his IDOL Experiences and More

Related: American Idol, Phillip Phillips, Matchbox Twenty

Who are some of your musical influences?

A little bit of everybody. There's some country. I listen to some Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr. and Charlie Daniels. I got into AC/DC, a lot of 70's, you know, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and then some Tool, Dave Matthews, John Butler, Damien Rice. The list just goes on and on.

Tell us about your new album. I love how the new album is very much you and your guitar. Tell us about that project.

We had to do it in such a short amount of time in like 3 weeks. Luckily I had all the songs written either before Idol or I wrote some during Idol. Some I did during the Idol tour. It was just a matter of time getting into the studio and getting it done. That's what we did and I'm very proud of the album, how it turned out. It all comes from my heart. I wrote everything but 2 songs. I'm proud of that and people seem to enjoy what I had to offer. It was a lot of fun making the album and it was very, very fast.

I read that you weren't really crazy about your single, "Home" when you first recorded it. You've changed your mind now?

It just felt like a cover. I didn't have any kind of relationship with the song, any connection. They just kinda threw it at me. It took me awhile to grow that connection with it. I always knew it was a really good song but I wanted to have that connection. It was something that could do something big. I always knew it was a really good song and I wanted to have that connection. Finally after playing it out loud so many times, I've made it more of my own and I've grown that connection with it.

Now all the touring and with Matchbox Twenty, how is that going?

It's going great. They are some really great guys. Rob Thomas, he's one of my heroes. He's one of my favorite singers. It's just an honor to be with them. It's kinda unreal for me to be opening up for them because I know a lot of their music. It's going really well. The crowds have been great. It's a really great experience.

What advice do you have for the current Idol contestants?

Be yourself, have a good time. Be humble about everything. That's what I would say.

Do you think the competition is getting tougher every year for American idol contestants?

I don't know. I never really watched the show. For me, my year was tough. I'm sure every year has been just as tough. The person in that position is getting judged and going out and doing the song right for live television. I think it's tough for each person. It just depends on what people are looking for.

Do you plan to tune in this year?

I don't know. If I have time, I'll try. Last season was such a long experience and I don't know if I can watch it right now.

What's your future look like?

I'm hoping to keep touring and have more music out. Just to keep touring and creating a fan base.

What do you miss most about home when you are on the road all the time?

I miss the home cooked meals and seeing Friends and family. Sometimes it can get a little lonely. You build those friendships (on the road) and it's really amazing but you miss some of the people back home where you grew up and built so many memories. I miss those people at times.

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