Fri. September 15, 2023
Jim Verraros is getting back to business – the business that earned him worldwide fame, music.
After more than a decade, Verraros dropped a new single on Friday. His new song, Take My Bow, is a pop song with a splash of EDM.
“At 40, I’ve lived a bit more than when I put out my first albums,” Verraros told GoPride.com. “(I now go) into the studio without a lot of pressure and see what comes out.”
Verraros, from suburban Chicago, is a singer/songwriter/actor who shot to national stardom 21 years ago when he placed ninth on the first season of American Idol. Raised by deaf parents, he signed the lyrics to his audition song. While participating in the 2002 American Idol LIVE! tour, Verraros came out as gay. He was the first American Idol finalist to come out, and he remained the series’ only publicly gay finalist for over three years. Several organizations subsequently honored Verraros as an influential figure within the gay community.
“I’m in a different space today than 20 years ago,” he said. “Twenty years ago, it was so much more difficult for a gay artist to find their footing. The landscape has changed so much – in our favor.”
Verraros has previously released two albums, 2005’s Rollercoaster and 2011’s Do Not Disturb. His inclusion on two tracks featured in American Idol: Greatest Moments awarded him with a Gold certified album in 2002. And his debut single, You Turn It On, became the first lead, non-remix song to appear on any Billboard chart (#21 on Dance) from an American Idol contestant that wasn’t megastar Kelly Clarkson.
Verraros and his husband, Sean Michael Buck, have a home near the United Center. The two enjoy hosting dinners and they have a lot of friends in the local music scene.
“We’re very chill, kind of boring, he said. “I’m looking forward to what’s ahead, doing things that make me happy.”
LISTEN: "Take My Bow" by Jim Verraros is described as a blend of pop and EDM.
"It's my first single in twelve years and I can't wait to share it with all of you," said Verraros.
Listen on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube.
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