You may know him from his phenomenal talent and engaging performances during Season 1 of The Voice, but when we got a chance to talk with Javier Colon we quickly learned that there’s much more to him than meets the eye. We want you guys to get that same chance, so we’ve brought the interview to you. So, sit down and take a minute to hear about what makes Javier such an incredible musician and man. We’re sure you’ll love him as much as we do!
é: A lot of people know you from The Voice. What was being on such a popular network show like?
Javier Colon: Being on the first season of The Voice was a very surreal experience. The excitement, the nerves, the adrenaline; I absolutely loved and hated it at the same time. I’ve never been so nervous in my life, but I knew that if I wanted things to change for the better I had to step up and do the best I could every week. Winning the 1st season truly changed my life.
é: You write your own music – what inspires you?
Colon: A lot of my inspiration comes from my family. I have a wife, two little girls, and a baby boy that inspire everyday. Aside from them, I get inspiration from my friends and from things I see out in the world, whether its on the street or on the news.
é: What does heritage mean to you? Does that play a role in your music?
Colon: My heritage means a whole lot to me. I was raised in a Latino household. My mother is Puerto Rican and my father is Dominican, so there was culture all around us growing up. My father was a radio DJ and eventually came to own his own Spanish radio station in Connecticut, where we lived. We listened to his station all day everyday, so Latin music was a big part of my early musical experiences. I used to run around the house singing the big ballads from Camilo Sesto and Jose Feliciano as a kid. Those were the days!
é: Who’s influenced you the most in your life?
Colon: I would have to say my mom. She still influences me and inspires me to this day. She always believed in my music, and me, even as a young adult when everyone told her that I wouldn’t make it in such a tough business. She never wavered. She’s been my strongest supporter and sometimes my toughest critic. Haha.
é: What’s your all-time favorite song? Why?
Colon: Oooh that’s tough. I don’t know that I have just one. My answer might change depending on my mood that day. One day it could be “Ribbons in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder and the next it could be “You can Close Your Eyes” by James Taylor.
é: What advice do you have for young people who want to go into the music industry?
Colon: My advice to the younger generation of kids who want to be in the business is always the same. Do EVERYTHING that comes your way if it means you can share your gift and get stage/performance experience doing it. There was a summer program my mother made me do when I was in 6th grade. It had a talent show at the end of it and she wanted me to sing a song for the show. I reluctantly agreed and met a teacher that became a huge mentor for me. Five years later he asked me to be the lead in another show he was doing where I met some other musician whom I formed a band with. One of those musicians eventually introduced me to a producer who got me my first record deal with Capitol Records. So if I hadn’t done this little talent show in 6th grade, I wouldn’t have gotten my first break. That’s why I say you have to do everything, because you never know where your break is going to come from.
é: What’s next for you?
Colon: As I type this, I am in Scotland doing a tour with the legendary George Benson. Once I finish this tour in the UK, I’ll head back home and continue writing songs for a new album I’ve been working on. I’m hoping it will be out later this year, or early next year. I’ll also be doing a lot of spot dates all over the country and around the world, so keep an eye out for me.
é: Do you have any special messages for your fans?
Colon: Just a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported me, some which were on board even before The Voice. You have kept me going, and have helped me make my dreams come true. You have helped me provide a better life for my family and for that, I am most grateful. Hope to see you all out on the road, at a show, soon!
