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Good luck Canuck >> Canadian R&B singer Deborah Cox gets her "Wish" by GERARD DEE
Cox professes to having had a somewhat rose-coloured view of what being an artist was all about. She's a lot more savvy now. "I remember just seeing the more glamorous side of things, thinking that all it took was talent and a great record company. But it's a lot more than that. "I've learned that a lot of it is going out there and being visible, which means you have to travel all over the world. It can take its toll, because I'm only one person and I gotta see everybody." All the palm-grabbing paid off. Cox's debut album sold over half-a-million copies and produced hit singles like "Sentimental." A club hit from the Money Talks soundtrack, "Things Just Ain't the Same," has kept Cox in the loop between that first album and her latest set, "One Wish." "I've lived with the first album for so long and I've had so much music in me trying to get out. So it was great even just putting this album together. I've been in a position where I've been fortunate enough to put together two albums that I wanted to put together. I know a lot of other artists don't have that luxury." Ironically, Cox has had an easier time of it south of the border. "It's been a struggle. For one thing, Canada hardly plays R&B. Another thing is that you have the whole Canadian content rules. "Canadian radio has to sort of step up with what's happening in other parts of the world," she says. "I mean, I could be in Europe where there's incredible respect and radio airplay for R&B. Even in Japan, they have a market for it." Nevertheless, Cox intends to make her presence felt at home with a performance at this Sunday's Black & Blue festivities. She says that deciding to perform at the AIDS fundraiser was a no-brainer. "I personally know a few people who passed away because of AIDS, and so any opportunity to lend my talent to support a cause that's going to raise awareness and money for a cure, I'm there." Deborah Cox performs at the Black & Blue Party VIII, Sunday, October 11, at the Palais des Congrès, 10pm, $55 in advance, $60 at the door
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Canadian-bred R&B vocalist Deborah Cox has learned a lot about the music business since her self-titled debut album rolled out three years ago. "I had no prior knowledge of the business," she says. "I got my experience being on the road and actually doing it. It's far more work than it appears to be."