August 3rd, 2011
01:48 PM ET
Greyson Chance takes Ellen DeGeneres' adviceWithin the past year, 13-year-old Greyson Chance has gone from being an unknown talent to landing a record deal, heading on tour and having his debut album, "Hold on 'Til the Night," land among the top 10 sellers on iTunes upon its release on August 2. But while his lifestyle has changed, Chance - whose rendition of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" not only made him a viral sensation but also led to a record deal with Ellen DeGeneres' eleveneleven - is focused on staying the same kid he's always been. "I remember the first time I met Ellen [DeGeneres], she told me never to change myself," Chance told Marquee on Tuesday. "And I really haven’t. I’ve evolved as an artist and a teenager, but I really haven’t changed myself."
Part of that evolution as a musician was striking the right sound. When he set to work on "Hold on 'Til the Night," he says "it took a minute for us to really decide what genre we wanted." "When I started working on the record and working in the studio, we had no clue what sound Greyson Chance would be," he explains. "We started experimenting with different sounds, different instruments, all different types of genres, and then we came across the song ‘Waiting Outside the Lines,’ and that was my first single. That was a song that kind of picked our genre for us. It was one that we felt comfortable with, it was a pop sound but with a little bit more of a rock edge."
And while he's thrilled to already have embarked on the career of his dreams, there have been a few downsides. "I love singing and I love performing, but I do miss some things," he says. "I miss being able to go to school, and I miss being able to go to the movies on Friday night with that girl I liked," he says. But in the end, he used that experience as inspiration to fuel his songwriting. "I missed home a lot, so that was a big inspiration to me when I first started," Chance says. "I really liked this girl when I first started writing the record, so she was a pretty big inspiration as well." (He laughs when pressed for more details, but doesn't budge.) As for the future, Chance, who turns 14 on August 16, is seeing more albums, and hopes he'll continue to grow as an artist. "I hope I can continue to do this. Honest to God, I just love what I do. I love being able to be on stage, and write music," he says. "I think I’ve realized how music can really inspire people. I knew that when this first started, but now seeing it in the faces of my fans, I just see it so much more."
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I am a big fan of Greyson. He totally deserves his success. But I would like for hiim to do some songs that are more upbeat and not so much about heartbreak. Not insipid. Just peppy and bright. The occasional heartbreak song but more lively and positive lyrics. but I am a Greysonater despite being an older dude. Best of luck to you Greyson!
Huge fan of Ellen DeGeneres
I am finishing a new fan site http://soellendegeneres.com real time news, pics, videos, daily email alerts. Check it out, let me know what you think. -SoCelebrities
Great, just what we need, another wannabe that should be out playing with his friends instead of supporting his no-load parents.
Unlike others before him, this kid got where he is today because he has real talent and real potential. He wasn't born in a studio by record producers hoping to cash in on the raging hormones of tweens. My only complaint with this video: the shameless, directly-in-your-face product placement. Videos or no longer about art and music. They've become extended commercials.
I saw him on Ellen. He is a very talented performer, though I didn't like him singing about love and romance in such a grown up way. I'm unhappy about the auto tune I detect in his single – he did not need it!
I, myself can testify that my brain has been washed by some gay people! In fact it is squeeeeky cleaeaeaean! Listen:...squeeekkk! Told ya!!
Wow! Will parents ever learn how to work instead of farming out their kids to earn their livelyhoods
Amazingly talented at such a young age- more power to him. And, what a great positive message!
Is she a member of the new super group "New Lesbeans On The Block?"
First things first, learn how to spell, and then perhaps you can work on being witty.
push the button, pull the string, and out comes the chocolate choo-choo train.
who? who?
you aren't funny
Did your speak n' spell help you with that response or was it your hooked on phonics flash cards?
you got trolled.
I just ripped a wet one & dont remember having corn yesterday
Ellen needs to shut up. She has no talent! And only got her show because most Americans have been brainwashed by the gays!