Marine ‘Idol’ Gracin serves up some amazingly sweet sounds
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Josh Gracin loves serving his country, but he can’t deny the song of the South.
The 23-year-old Gracin, who finished fourth on the second season of “American Idol,” recently recorded a country music album while on active duty — and saw it hit No. 2 on the Billboard country chart.
He has just a few months left of his tour at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, then hopes to become a full-fledged country star.
Despite his beefy appearance, Gracin seems pretty vulnerable. He was embarrassed by how much he ate for breakfast (eggs, potatoes, and blueberry pancakes) and by how much makeup was caked on his face for publicity photos. But with one of the best-selling debuts in years by a male country singer, he doesn’t have too much to worry about.
Q: You grew up in Michigan. How did you get into country music?
Gracin: I heard “Friends in Low Places” one day on the radio and I was hooked. Garth Brooks is the best. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
Q: How did you get the Marines to OK a stint on “American Idol”?
Gracin: They were really happy about it. I think they thought it was good to have someone in the military to be a positive force out there, performing and showing people that we are good guys. We don’t just run around with guns. We have goals and dreams. They transferred me temporarily so I could work and be on the show at the same time.
Q: Are you embarrassed that you didn’t go overseas and fight?
Gracin: Look, I still volunteered. The people that would complain about me not being overseas are the same people that are fighting against a draft. Fact is, I couldn’t go. We are assigned to jobs, and we do them. Yeah, of course, the glory is over there. But we’re all working toward a goal. We’re all in it together.
Q: So, what’s your favorite military movie?
Gracin: “We Were Soldiers,” with Mel Gibson. Most of the other movies make soldiers out to be bad guys. We aren’t killing machines; we’re regular guys.
Q: Are you a patriot?
Gracin: Well, I don’t know. I think a patriot is someone who steps up to the plate when they’re needed, no matter what. So I hope I am, but I don’t really know.
Q: Would you vote for George Bush in the next election?
Gracin: I haven’t really seen yet what either person has to offer. I want to vote for who is best for the job, and I have to wait and see who that is.
Q: You’re married with a child, right?
Gracin: Yep, I married my high school sweetheart, and we have a daughter. Couldn’t be happier. I’m lucky. I know it.
Q: Any siblings?
Gracin: I’m the only boy, I have four sisters. That means I’m polite and I know how to cook.
Q: Do you write your own songs?
Gracin: I do. But no one figured out that my songs were good enough for the album until it was too late. So, next time.
Q: Have you ever met Garth Brooks?
Gracin: No, I never even saw him live. I heard he’s making a comeback, though, so maybe I’ll get to meet him after all the press I’ve given him lately.
Q: Think he’ll let you do a song with him?
Gracin: Wow, I hope so. But I’m not holding my breath or anything.
The birthday bunch
Director Blake Edwards is 82. Singer Dobie Gray is 64. Singer Darlene Love is 63. Singer Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) is 61. Actress Susan George is 54. Actor Kevin Spacey is 45. Singer Gary Cherone (Extreme, Van Halen) is 43. Actress Sandra Bullock is 40. Actor Jeremy Piven is 39. Singer Wayne Wonder is 38. Actress Kate Beckinsale is 31.