‘Kid is going places’: Internet compares ‘American Idol’ Season 22 star CJ Rislove’s vocals with Elton John and Billy Joel
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Not only were the judges of 'American Idol' Season 22 impressed by CJ Rislove's performance, but the fans also expressed their admiration for his vocals. Many fans drew comparisons between CJ and iconic musicians Elton John and Billy Joel, who happen to be CJ's inspirations.
They highlighted how his singing reminded them of these legendary artists. The overwhelming positive response from fans included statements that he has the potential to reach the finals of the show.
When Rislove walked in the audition room, he introduced himself as hailing "from everywhere and nowhere" and disclosed that he currently lived in a bus named the Jazz Wagon. As a unique gesture, he brought cookies for the judges. Later, in an interesting turn of events, they requested him to perform a song he had written just the day before. CJ, expressing a mix of anticipation and curiosity, seated himself at the piano, setting the stage for a noteworthy audition.
His performance was exceptional, leaving the judges so impressed that they couldn't resist giving him a golden ticket. Not only did the judges recognize his talent, but fans were also left awestruck by his incredible vocals. "I have CHILLS CJ is an amazing singer and songwriter I definitely see the Elton vibes," said a fan on Instagram. "YES!! With a tad of Billy Joel. He's probably my favorite so far. So genuine. And he made cookies!!," said another.
Others found his voice simialr to younger version of Elton John. "He was excellent!! I said it as soon as he started singing he reminds me of a younger Elton John! So talented and comes so natural. I want to know more about him and can't wait to see how far he goes in this competition! Love the show guys!" "Billy joel, Elton, Bruce hornesby, kid is going places," said another.
"Bro @cj.is.love is so talented! Immediate Billy Joel vibe with the piano playing!," said one. "His performance gave me BillyJoel songwriter vibes. I am so excited to see what CJ does on the show and I am pretty sure he will make it to live shows," added another.
Who is CJ Rislove?
Originally from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, CJ Rislove was born in 2001 and is now 23 years old. He discovered his love for singing at a young age, attending Chippewa Falls Sr. High School. His high school teachers recognized his singing potential, sparking his passion for music.
Over the years, CJ's musical journey evolved significantly. Currently, he is a versatile artist, serving as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. An intriguing aspect of his creative process is that he lives, composes, and sings songs in his bus, affectionately called the jazz wagon.
American Idol's CJ Rislove releases music inspired by Billy Joel and Elton John
CJ has a musical style he describes as a blend of Billy Joel and Elton John, catering to fans of both classic pop and contemporary music. To connect with his audience and showcase his creativity, CJ has undertaken an ambitious project – he's committed to composing and releasing a new song every day on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
This initiative reflects his dedication to consistently engaging with his listeners and underscores his artistic approach as a musician. CJ's deep fondness for American Idol comes from his authentic love for the show. He is genuinely excited about the opportunity to present his original compositions on the national stage, and shares enthusiasm to create music to a broader audience through this renowned platform.
Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes will be available to stream next day on Hulu.