Joshua Gracin (born October 18, 1980) is an American country music singer. He first gained fame as the fourth-place contestant in the 2003 edition of American Idol, while at the time of the show also being a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. Gracin subsequently became a successful recording artist.

Biography

Gracin grew up in Westland, Michigan. He began playing music in high school, inspired by Garth Brooks among others. Upon graduation he joined the Marine Corps, and eventually became a supply clerk at Camp Pendleton outside of San Diego.

Gracin appeared on the second season of American Idol. His country sound and his ongoing military service immediately made him stand out from Idol's pop- and R&B-oriented contestants. Gracin performed strongly whenever he could sing something with a country flavor, but sometimes struggled in other genres. Gracin attracted audience support by being willing to butt heads figuratively, and in one case almost literally, with Гјber-nasty judge Simon Cowell. Some attention was given to why Gracin was permitted time away from his unit to participate in the show, while many other Marine units were being sent to participate in the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. However, Gracin had permission from the Marines to do the show, and his unit had not been selected for deployment. More discussion ensued when with five singers left, Gracin survived a vote in which Trenyce was voted off; many viewers felt the wrong choice had been made, and a camera reaction shot revealed Gracin appearing uncomfortable with the result. In any case, he was voted off the following week, ending in a very respectable fourth-place position.

Due to having to resume his Marine commitments, Gracin did not participate in the subsequent American Idol Finalists concert tour of American venues. After four years of service, Gracin was honorably discharged in September 2004.

Now going by Josh Gracin, he was in the meantime signed to Lyric Street Records; Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts had become a booster, after Gracin's performance of their "I'm Movin' On" on Idol. His debut album Josh Gracin was released on June 15th, 2004. It has since generated three top-five country singles, including the number one hit "Nothin' to Lose". As of 2005, Gracin has had the most successful post-Idol career of anyone who did not finish in the show's top two.

Gracin has become popular for his wild concert performances, which include going into the stands to sing. He is also known for signing autographs for anybody who wants one.

In 2005 Gracin contributed the song "Working for the Weekend" to the Herbie: Fully Loaded soundtrack, and he also sang on "When I See an Elephant Fly" on the Jim Brickman album The Disney Songbook.

While parents Brenda and Mario Gracin still live in his Michigan hometown, Josh and his wife Ann Marie Gracin moved to Franklin, Tennessee. A daughter, Briana Gracin, was born on March 30, 2002, and a son, Landon Joshua Gracin, was born on August 4, 2005.

Discography

Albums

• 2004 Josh Gracin

Singles

External links

• Official website