Canadian Idol's Jaydee Bixby Talks to Idol Stalker

It’s Stampede time in Calgary and as I drove down to Chinook Centre on Saturday morning, I was worried about one thing – would Canadian Idol country star, Jaydee Bixby, be as nice in person as he is on television?  Well, I can honestly say that he is even BETTER in real life.  That smile, the charisma… he was definitely what I had hoped for and more. 

Any Stampede area is noisy and busy, so Jaydee invited me and my photographer into his limo to chat.  Before I go any further, I should tell you all that he knew what Idol Stalker was right away so make sure you keep those awesome comments rolling in!  Also, if you want to catch up with him, you can add him to your list of friends on Facebook and MySpace or visit his official website!

During the interview, we talked about many things.  Here’s a recap of our chat:

The Calgary Stampede
It was an early show (Stampede Breakfast) so he said he was amazed they sounded so good (they really did!).  I’m not surprised, though.  He’s a pro at this!  He told me that he’s been performing at the Stampede since he was 11 years old with the youth talent show!  Incredible!

It’s his band’s first time at the Calgary Stampede (they are from Vancouver) and we had a good laugh about the fact that they are all city slickers but each had a good ol’ cowboy hat on.  Jaydee joked that he always has his on but that, during Stampede, he doesn’t feel so special since the whole city is wearing cowboy hats! 

More after the jump!

Life After Canadian Idol
He said that since the show ended he’s been “working like the Energizer bunny.”  I have to believe him – he showed me the bottoms of his three month-old boots.  He’s worn holes in them (his stomping foot, shown above right, is the worst!).

He also explained that he’s been working on his album and adorably said that he’s wanted his own record since “Moby Dick was a sardine!” He said that Canadian Idol definitely got his name heard and that he’s grateful for that.

The Album
The official release date is tomorrow.  He said that he is excited because that is one goal he’s attained but that he keeps setting the next goals higher and higher.  His mother, he said, told him that in order to get something, you’ve got to work hard so her words serve as a major source of motivation.

I really laughed when I asked about the name of his album, “Cowboys and Cadillacs.”  He said “why do cowboys always have to go with horses?  I might want to cruise around town one day and why can’t I be riding in a Cadillac?”  He’s absolutely right! 

His Family and Community
He talked about growing up in the small town of Drumheller (he lives in Red Deer now) and how it allowed him to have freedom that he would not have had in a big city.  He referred to it as “a gorgeous valley” and “a great place to grow up.”  He also explained that his folks are local celebrities, that he is the fourth generation of the Bixby clan and that he is proud to be a part of keeping that family name going strong.  He also said that he is in his best singing condition when he’s at home, in Alberta.  Gotta love that loyalty!

Montreal
He asked where I was from originally and perked right up when I said I was born and mostly raised in Montreal.  He told me that he probably had “the time of his life” in the eastern Canadian city.  He was there right after the Formula 1 racing event (it’s a big deal!) and he had a blast.  Good to know Jaydee likes Canadian cities far and wide (hear that Montrealers?  Contact him and get him out there for shows!).

His Fans
He wants his fans to know that by voting for him on Canadian Idol, he’s been able to stay true to who he is (since you loved the country-singing guy he always was even with Zack Werner’s crazy “Canadians don’t twang” comments!). 

I want to add that you fans were not wrong – he’s fantastic and with his talent, personality and good looks, I have no doubt that he is going to be a huge success!

images by Jyle Dupuis