b. Joshua Mario Gracin, 18 October 1980, Westland, Michigan, USA. Country pop vocalist Gracin came to prominence in summer 2003 during the second series of the US reality television series American Idol, when his chiselled good looks and MOR leanings helped propel him into the final stages of the competition. Gracin’s gentle take on pop standards such as Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’ and Rascal Flatts’ ‘I’m Movin’ On’ were not enough to challenge the vocal pyrotechnics of eventual winner Ruben Studdard. Gracin, a serving lance corporal in the US Marines, was obliged to pull out of the subsequent American Idol tour because of his army commitments. Nevertheless, he attracted the attention of Rascal Flatts’ producer Marty Williams who helped the singer land a recording contract with the Lyric Street label. Gracin made his debut for the label at the start of 2004 with ‘I Want To Live’, followed by a self-titled debut album later in the year.
