Bucky Covington featured in "Life after ‘American Idol’" article in The Tennessean...

Bucky Covington as captured by photographer and music video director Kristin Barlowe (via Monarch Publicity).

Bucky Covington was one of the Nashville-based American Idol alumni profiled in The Tennessean today for an article entitled "Life After ‘American Idol’: A Reality Check After Reality TV"...Dave Paulson spoke with Bucky, Paul McDonald, Melinda Doolittle, Janelle Arthur, and M.J. Santilli of (the awesome) MJ's Big Blog about what happens when the blue neon cools off and the career-launch begins.  Bucky spoke in straightforward terms about his post-Idol experience:

"It’s a music business, and you’ve got to look at the business side of it," he says. "Some time or another, I think you’ve got to learn that part. And that’s what we did." 

Covington is currently in the studio, cutting songs to pitch to labels, but there are other prospects on the horizon, too. He recently shot a pilot for a reality TV series following his day-to-day life, and he and his twin brother, Rocky, carried on in the family business with the opening of Covington’s Collision Center, an auto body shop in Westmoreland, Tenn. 

In his words: "I put the money up, and (Rocky) runs it. My end’s a lot easier." Still, he’ll make the occasional run for supplies, and enjoys hanging around, talking shop with the employees and posing for photos with fans. 

 He’s hoping to turn CCC into a chain, but first and foremost, he’s been focused on music, and says he’s "loving it. It’s just complete freedom."

The article also confirms that Bucky has amicably parted ways with E1, his former label  (As Bucky's fans, we've had a little experience riding out that "between labels" stage--it's always interesting to see what changes are in store!)

What doesn't change--except to get even better and better--is the awesomeness of Bucky and his band's live show.  Catch them on stage at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center in Prescott, AZ on January 24th (tickets available now), at the University Of Southern Mississippi's Pride Field on February 1st (tickets for the Southern Miss vs. Tulane game are available now; show is free), and at Lakes Jam on Friday, June 27th at the Brainerd International Raceway (5523 Birchdale Road in Brainerd, MN).  See you soon!