Justin Guarini 'Justin Guarini' album

Most new artists would have trouble choosing the most memorable moment of a year in which they performed on a television show that drew 28 million viewers, landed a major label deal, did a sold-out nationwide tour, recorded a debut album and starred in their very first feature film. While grateful for all of the above, Justin Guarini says nothing compares to the thrill of meeting his idol, legendary R&B singer/songwriter Stevie Wonder.

"I grew up listening to albums like Songs in the Key of Life and Innervisions and In Square Circle," says Guarini. "He's been a huge influence on me. I even sang a few of his songs, including 'Ribbon in the Sky,' on 'American Idol.' So you can imagine how I felt when we were introduced at a birthday party for Quincy Jones and he actually thanked me for singing his songs on the show. Then he said, 'You should come by the studio. We should work on something together.' I was speechless. I will never forget that."

Wonder's not alone in his admiration of Guarini. During 13 weeks last summer, the 24-year-old Atlanta native captured the hearts and minds of the nation with mesmerizingly soulful performances on the mega-popular Fox series. "I was inspired by my mother," he says. "She was in the hospital at the time, undergoing surgery to have a tumor removed. She was actually the one who told me about the show and has been so supportive of my singing career. My whole family was going through the struggle of caring for her while cheering me on. But she wanted me to keep going and that motivated me to do the best I could."

Guarini quickly became a favorite among fans and members of the media alike. "I've been singing for a long time, but never experienced anything like the feeling I got after my first performance in front of that live audience," he says. "I really felt something going on. I immediately felt at home and knew that this was where I wanted to be."

Not surprisingly, he was quickly signed by Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, who brokered a global recording deal with RCA. The ink on the contract had barely dried when Guarini entered the studio to begin work on his self-titled debut. "I couldn't wait," he laughs. "I was anxious to show people what I could really do."

Executive-produced by Clive Davis and featuring production work by multi-platinum/multi-Grammy winner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton), the Underdogs (Tyrese), Damon Sharpe (J.Lo, Kelly Rowland), Harvey Mason Jr. (Justin Timberlake, Brandy), Lester Mendez (Jewel, Santana) and Steve Mac (Westlife), among others, the highly anticipated disc melts soul, pop and rock into one feel-good groove, as Guarini emerges with a sound and style that's his alone.

With the warm, hook-filled flow of lead single "Sorry" and the silky smooth "I Saw Your Face" to slow jams like "Be A Heartbreaker" and the latin-flavored "One Heart Too Many," Guarini showcases an emotional depth and range that broadens with each listen.

"I just went for it," he says. "The whole process was just so amazing and I was really lucky to work with people like Harvey Mason Jr., the Underdogs and of course, Babyface, who is one of my heroes. I remember being in the studio with him and thinking, 'Here's someone who's written for people like Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey and Toni Braxton, and I'm getting a chance to work with him. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine something like that ever happening."

The album's many highlights include the Brian McKnight-penned "Condition of My Heart," a stirring cover of the Righteous Brothers 1965 blue-eyed soul classic "Unchained Melody," "If You Wanna," which Guarini co-wrote with Wade Robson and Grammy-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager, and "Timeless," a stunning duet with RCA/19 Entertainment labelmate and movie co-star Kelly Clarkson.

"Timeless" also appears in the duo's upcoming Fox film, From Justin To Kelly. "I definitely got bit by the acting bug during the making of the movie," says Guarini. "We did the whole thing in just six weeks, which was pretty intense. But I grew up watching films like Singing in the Rain and Cabaret, so the chance to make a musical was a dream come true. As for singing with Kelly, Guarini says, "She's become a close friend and confidant and has such an incredible voice. I wouldn't have wanted to record that song with anyone else."

Naturally, Guarini's album wouldn't be complete without the inclusion of his remarkable rendition of Brenda Russell's "Get Here," which "American Idol" fans will remember as his signature song on the show. "That song means so much to me," he says. "I had to put it on there. I think people will be surprised at how much different and stronger that tune-and the record in general-sounds. Some might think they know all about me from the show, but they haven't seen or heard anything yet. I've learned and grown so much in just a short amount of time. We've taken it to the next level with this record and I'm just getting started."

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Justin Guarini - Justin Guarini