Chris Blue was poised to have his best year yet in 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic changed his life in ways he never thought possible.
The Knoxville singer, songwriter and Season 12 winner of "The Voice" ended2019 with his first EP, "Fresh Start," and Christmas mini-album "One Light." Blue was looking forward to releasing even more music and headlining shows in the new year, but 2020 didn't go as planned, to say the least.
"I've learned that things are not going to always go your way. I saw some of that while I was on 'The Voice,' but more so this year," Blue told Knox News. "My whole year was turned upside down, but it's taught me that (I) can adapt to my environment and the situation that I'm put in. It's also showing me that I'm a lot stronger than I thought."
Bluerecently released"Back 2 The Future," the first single from his upcoming EP"The Chris Blue Project." He told Knox News about what he's been up to this year and how 2020 affected his outlook on work and life.
A new Blue
Blue is closing out 2020 with a new lease on life and the meaning of his music. He put out"Back 2 The Future" in late November as a response to the realitiesBlack Americans have dealt with for generations. The single is the first track from the upcoming album.
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"We didn't really mean to write this song. Actually, I had every intention to wait until 2021 to release musicbecause of how crazy 2020 has been. But when we were in the studio and started writing the song, the words just hit me a certain way," Blue said.
"Back 2 The Future" combines Blue's soulful vocals with a pop sound to share the struggles and history of protest in Black and minority communities.
"There's this line in the song that says, 'I've been dreaming of Wakanda,' and in the climate of our American culture and just the world today, in general, I felt like this is something the world needs right now," Blue said. "There's one common denominator that we all have, and that is we are all human beings."
Blue is taking creative chances on "The Chris Blue Project" too. He said many songs on theEP will be "fan-centric" and focus on what listenershave wantedto hear from him.
"You're gonna hear and feel a lot of high intensity, fun, upbeat dance music that a lot of people have been requesting from me," Blue said. "We'll transition from 'Let's come together'to 'Let'sparty!' "
Blue hopes fans can let go and let loose while listening to the EP, which is set to come out in spring 2021.
"When I listen to the new music, there's a moment whereI'm not thinking about what I've gone through or what I'm going through. It's just a moment of bliss," Blue said. "I think we can all use that now, so this is mysalute to all the people that have loved on me and supported me sinceday one."
Balancing act
Of all the emotions Blue has felt this year, he tries to practice gratitude most. The singer writes in a gratitude journal and prays each morning to stay grounded.
"That time in the morningremindsme of who I am, where I come from and how blessed I truly am," Blue said. "It allows me totake the good with the bad andsee the good in the bad – it's helped me make it through thereally tough days."
Like many others, Blue endured personal loss to the virus and was heartbroken by the unrest in America. He also signed with Ron McGraw's Creative Edge Marketing Branding for new management, inked a distribution deal with Equity Distribution//Roc Nation andsecured a sponsorship with Bose.
Blue said balancing hishighs and lows personally and professionallyhas been difficult but necessary to grow as an artist. "The Chris Blue Project" is theculmination of his career so far.
"2020 has been heavy," Blue said. "I'm ready to release something light, something fun and something that is an escape from reality.
New music, shows and an addition in 2021
Blue has plenty of things to look forward to in the new year, despite the pandemic. "The Chris Blue Project" should be available in spring 2021. A date has not been determined, but Blue and his team are watching and waiting for the "right time" to release the EP.
"One of the things that I have learned in the music industry is timing is everything. It's not just about having a song that sonically feels good and sounds good," Blue said. "When you release music actually makes a world of difference."
Blue has tentatively scheduled live shows in Africa and Georgia for late 2021. Safety ishis top priority as planning for theperformances goes on.
His biggest news for 2021, though? Blue and his wife,Stephanie Dunkley-Blue, are expecting a baby in April.
"I am looking forward to life getting back to normal. I'm looking forward to getting out and performing and traveling some more," Blue said. "The one thing that I'm really, really, really looking forward to is fatherhood."
