Thursday, July 2, 2009 10:15 PM CDT
'Dancing' helps Wicks' stage presence
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
CHARLESTON — Like many other country stars, Chuck Wicks’ resume includes years of working odd jobs while slowly building a music career in Nashville.
The “Stealing Cinderella” singer’s resume also includes a very unique experience that has helped further develop his confidence on stage. Wicks spent much of this spring dancing alongside his girlfriend, professional dancer and rising country star Julianne Hough, on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Wicks said the unfamiliar dance moves felt weird to him at first, so he was worried they would look weird to anyone watching. However, Wicks was pleasantly surprised after he saw footage from the dance floor.
“I did not look as bad as I felt,” Wicks said, adding slow dancing was the easiest event for him but the rumba was the most fun.
Although he did not come home as the winner of “Dancing With the Stars,” Wicks said he left with valuable experience that has made him more aware of how his movements on stage at his country shows look to the audience. Wicks said he has not kept up with his dance lessons, but has a great instructor nearby.
“If I need Julianne’s help for a lesson real quick, she is right there,” Wicks said.
Wicks is scheduled to bring his country show to Red, White & Blue Days at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Morton Park. Entry is free and free parking is available one block to the south at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field.
The performer rose to prominence with RCA’s 2007 release of his debut album, “Starting Now.” His debut single, “Stealing Cinderella,” quickly hit Top 5 on the country charts. The album has also produced the hit, “All I Ever Wanted.”
Both singles are among the 10 songs Wicks co-wrote for his debut album. Wicks, who grew up on his family’s farm in Smyrna, Del., spent five years honing his song writing skills at night under the guidance of Music Row professionals and parking cars at night to make a living.
Wicks said he finds inspiration for much of his songs from experiences in his own life and the lives of his friends.
“Stealing Cinderella” was inspired by a girlfriend whose job was playing Cinderella at Disney World. The song tells of a father who views his daughter’s prospective fiance as “just some fella, riding in and stealing Cinderella.”
Wicks said the single “Man of the House” began taking shape as he recalled a fifth-grade classmate crying because her father was away serving in Desert Storm. Wicks ultimately crafted a song about a boy who finds, “It’s hard to be a kid when you are the man of the house,” as he tries to take care of his family while his dad is deployed.
The performer said he has had the honor of singing “Man of the House” during shows at military posts for soldiers bound for deployments and their families.
“I sang the song in front of the people who live that every day,” Wicks said.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 238-6861.
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