From the Vault: Billy Currington Once Wanted to Record an R&B Album

Billy Currington‘s music has often been a mix of different musical influences, with a dose of R&B in his country. But at one time the ‘Hey Girl’ singer thought he might take that a step further.

In this week’s From the Vault we re-visit an interview Currington gave The Boot upon the release of his ‘Little Bit of Everything’ album. He not only told us of his ambition to release an R&B album, he also talked about everything from weird fan encounters to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Though Currington so far hasn’t gotten around to a soul record, he is releasing his next album, ‘We Are Tonight,’ on Sept. 17.

This interview was fist published on Oct. 14, 2008 by Gayle Thompson.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Late nights with about three bottles of red wine.

Have you had any weird fan encounters?

Not too long ago, this girl tackled me behind the stage. How she got behind the stage during our sound check, I have no clue, but when I saw her, she just took off running and knocked me to the ground.

What is the best and worst aspect of being deemed a sex symbol?

The best: I like the girls, so it brought all the chicks to the show. The worst: I’d say my buddies going, ‘Hey man, what’s up? What’s wrong with this picture here?’ Other than that, there’s nothing bad about it.

What’s one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

That I don’t use soap.

If you weren’t a singer/songwriter, what would you likely be doing for a living?

I would open a marina somewhere on the ocean and run a wine-type restaurant. And I’d be the cook.

Do you have any celebrity crushes?

I like Ashley Judd.

What would your last meal be?

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Grape jelly.

Whose music are you loving right now?

Keb Mo. I didn’t know anything about that guy until recently, someone on the bus sent me a few of his songs. He has some soul. He sounds like he came from Memphis. Great soulful guy.

Would you ever consider recording a song that could crossover to pop?

Of course. To me, it doesn’t really matter what type of category the music gets put in, as long as it’s good music. I’d love to be able to crossover. I want to make an R&B album in the next two years.

What’s a perfect day off for you?

Red wine.

How has fame changed you?

I don’t think it has at all. It’s just made me a little bit more busy than I used to be. I still feel like I’ve got the same insides.