American Idol Tour Interview with Matt Giraud

Suite101 at Press Hour before 2009 Live Show in San Jose, Calif.

Sep 9, 2009

Suite101 was privileged to interview Giraud a few hours before the 2009 AI show at HP Pavilion. He was upbeat and clearly loving the entire Idol experience.

Matt Giraud, a native of Kalamazoo, Michigan sings, dances, writes music and shows most of his talents on the AI live tour show. Early in his appearance, he says, “I need everybody on their feet!” and the whole audience excitedly jumps up as one.

Another highlight features a piano rising up from below the stage with Matt donning his signature fedora to sing Hoagy Carmichael's “Georgia On My Mind.” Later, even more enthusiasm follows when Scott MacIntyre joins him for a rousing “Dueling Piano” performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.

It will be interesting to keep track of Giraud’s career when the tour has concluded. He must have been “saved” on the television show for a reason.

What do you hope will happen for you after the tour is over?

“I want to record an album of mainstream music and just go on the road making good music.”

What would you like to say to your fans?

“The best compliment I hear from fans is how much they loved the TV show, so I’d like to say, ‘If you liked us on Idol, come and see the live show!’

What could you tell fans that they may not already know?

“My Dad is my biggest fan. He keeps track of my career, clips and all. I can ask him about all the latest news, because he knows before I do!”

Can you tell us something about your personal life?

“I am involved in community service with Big Brothers Big Sisters as a big brother to a 15 year old boy. Yes, he is proud of me!”

More About Matt from the AI Official Program:

What three things will you have on tour with you?

“I will have my iPod, my DVD’s and a huge comfortable pillow – must haves!”

Who is your American Idol and why?

“I love Jamie Foxx. I think that anyone that can be that funny, play piano, sing and act so well deserves respect.”

What do you miss most from back home?

“I miss simple days of doing nothing but hanging out and feeling like I can do whatever I want throughout the day. Sometimes simplicity is wonderful in life.”

It is looking like from now on, Matt Giraud’s days of simplicity may be few and far between.

Tour Facts

This season’s 2009 American Idol North American tour by AEG Live began in Portland, OR on July 5th, continuing through 50 cities until September 15th in Manchester, NH.

Top 10 finalists are Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Michael Sarver and Scott MacIntyre.

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