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'''Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr.''' (born [[November 1]], [[1975]] in Huntsville) is a singer and rock musician who was the runner-up to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of ''American Idol''.  
[[Image:Bo Bice 3 album cover.jpg|right|225px]]
'''Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr''' (born [[November 1]], [[1975]] in Huntsville) is a singer and rock musician who was the runner-up to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of ''American Idol'', which aired in [[2005]].  


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Bice, who was nicknamed "Bogart" or "Bo" when he was a child, grew up with his mother and stepfather, Earle and Nancy Downes, and three older siblings. He won a local school singing competition at age 9. In [[1990]], when Bice was 14, Earle was transferred to London, England by the Coca-Cola Company. Bice spent his teenage years living in the suburbs of Gerrards Cross and Steer Green, neighbors of Ozzy Osbourne. Bice attended London Central High School, a Department of Defense school primarily for children whose parents served in the military or worked at the U.S. Embassy.
Bice, the son of Harold and Nancy Bice, was born at Huntsville Hospital. His grandmother gave him the nickname "Bogart" as an infant because his eyes reminded her of actor Humphrey Bogart. After his mother remarried (Earle Downs, a Coca-Cola executive) the family moved several times, including several years in London, England.


In high school, he was known for always carrying his guitar everywhere. He worked with a few English alternative rock bands before dropping out of school in [[1993]] to move back to Alabama. He subsequently earned his GED and attended Calhoun Community College from November [[1996]] to May [[1997]]. Upon graduating Calhoun and spending a semester at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Bice devoted himself to singing and performed in shows all across the United States, Britain, Ireland, and eastern Europe. He is a veteran of the nightclub circuit, having performed solo and in rock groups such as Purge, Blue Suede Nickel, and his current band [[Sugar Money]]. Among his credits are opening for Blackfoot and Warrant as well as performing live and recording with Johnny Neal, formerly of the Allman Brothers.
Bice, who had won a singing competition at the age of 13, heavily pursued music as a student at London Central High School (operated by the United States Department of Defense). He formed a band called "Spinning Jenny" before dropping out of school in his junior year to move back to Alabama in [[1993]].


In [[2001]] and [[2003]], Bice was charged possession of cocaine and marijuana, but had the charges dismissed when he completed a "drug diversion program" in 2003.
After earning his GED, Bice completed an associates degree at [[Calhoun Community College]] in [[1997]] and enrolled for one semester at the [[University of North Alabama]] in Florence. Meanwhile he continued performing in nightclubs across the United States and Europe. He was a member of several touring bands, including Purge, Blue Sued Nickel, and his own [[Sugar Money]].


In [[2005]], the 28-year-old Bice successfully auditioned for ''American Idol'' in Orlando. He left his day job at [[Guitar Gallery]] in [[Pelham]] to go to Hollywood for the competition (which had raised its age limit from 26 to 28).
In [[2001]] and [[2003]], Bice was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, but had the charges dismissed when he completed a "drug diversion program" in 2003. While working at the [[Guitar Gallery]] in [[Pelham]] he met [[Caroline Bice|Caroline Fisher]], a waitress at [[Hoover]]'s [[Ragtime Cafe]], and became an active member of [[New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church]].
 
In [[2005]] Bice successfully auditioned for ''American Idol'' in Orlando. He left his day job at [[Guitar Gallery]] in [[Pelham]] to go to Hollywood for the competition (which had raised its age limit from 26 to 28).


==''American Idol''==
==''American Idol''==
Bice's early performance of the Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post" drew raves from the judges and established him as one of the favorites in the competition. Since he did not have family or friends in California, Bice randomly picked five kids (age 10-15) who were waiting in the back of the line at the studio and gave them tickets to the tapings. The kids became his friends and fans.
Encouraged to audition after ''American Idol'' raised its maximum age for contestants to 28, Bice impressed the judges with his performance of the Allman Brothers' song "Whipping Post". He was among the top contenders all season and adopted Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" as his "theme". The group joined him on stage for a performance of the song during the season. Bice stood out from the other contestants by electing to perform ''a cappella'' in the final show, narrowly losing the last ballot to Carrie Underwood. As he later told ''Rolling Stone'', his final thought before the announcement was "Please, God, don't let me win this thing."
 
In June 2005 Bice was quoted in ''Rolling Stone'' magazine that his last thought during the ''Idol'' finale was, "Please, God, don't let me win this thing."
 
[[May 24]] was declared "Bo Bice Day" by Governor [[Bob Riley]].


==Post-''Idol'' career==
==Post-''Idol'' career==
Signed to RCA Records, Bice's first single, "Inside Your Heaven" debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He sang a song with Willie Nelson at a concert at the [[Alabama Theatre]] and was invited by Nelson to perform at Farm Aid. Bice also appeared on Carlos Santana's 2005 album ''All That I Am''.
Signed to RCA Records, Bice's first single, "Inside Your Heaven" debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He sang a song with Willie Nelson at a concert at the [[Alabama Theatre]] and was invited by Nelson to perform at Farm Aid. Bice also appeared on Carlos Santana's 2005 album ''All That I Am''.


On [[June 15]], 2005, Bice married long-time girlfriend and former [[Ragtime Cafe]] waitress Caroline Fisher at [[New Hope Presbyterian Church]] in [[Helena]]. The Bices' first child, a son named Aidan Michael Bice, was born on [[September 24]].
On [[June 15]], [[2005]], Bice married Caroline. Their first child, Aidan Michael, was born on [[September 24]] of that year. Two more sons, Caleb James and Ean Jacob, were born on [[August 5]], [[2008]] and [[January 22]], [[2010]], respectively.
 
On [[July 31]], 2005, Bice broke his foot while performing with other American Idol finalists on tour in Manchester, New Hampshire. On [[August 18]], after suffering from stomach pain for months, he underwent emergency intestinal surgery to remove a blockage. During his absence from the tour, fellow contestants Anwar, Nikko, Scott, Anthony and Constantine sang "Sweet Home Alabama" and wore Bo Bice T-shirts. Bice returned to the tour for the final two concerts in Syracuse, New York.


On [[July 31]], 2005, Bice broke his foot while performing in concert in Manchester, New Hampshire, but carried on with the tour.  On [[August 18]], after suffering from stomach pain for months, he was rushed to the hospital for emergency intestinal surgery to remove a blockage. The surgery was successful, but he was sidelined from the tour for several shows. During his absence from the tour, fellow contestants Anwar, Nikko, Scott, Anthony and Constantine sang "Sweet Home Alabama" and wore Bo Bice T-shirts. Bice returned to the tour for the final 2 concerts in Syracuse, New York, [[September 10]] and [[September 11]] (a benefit concert with proceeds going to the American Red Cross to help victims of Hurricane Katrina). Bice also opened his home in Helena to a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
Bice's solo debut album, ''The Real Thing'', was released on [[December 13]], 2005.  It sold around 227,000 copies in its first week and opened at #4, the sixth-highest opening for a debut album by an ''American Idol'' finalist to that date.


Bice's solo debut album, ''The Real Thing'', was released on [[December 13]], 2005. It sold around 227,000 copies in its first week and opened at #4, the sixth-highest opening for a debut album by an ''American Idol'' finalist.
Bice currently resides in Nashville. Country Music Television aired an hour-long program about his "post-Idol" life and the recording of ''The Real Thing'' in January [[2006]]. Through that Spring he alternated between public appearances and hospital stays as intestinal issues continued to plague him. He was dropped from RCA Records in [[2007]].


Bice currently resides in Nashville.
In [[2008]] Bice made two trips to perform for U. S. troops in Kuwait and Afghanistan.


==Discography==
==Discography==
* "Inside Your Heaven"/"Vehicle", (single) 2005, RCA Records, #2 on U.S. Hot 100, #1 on U.S. Pop 100
* Purge (1999) ''Ex Gratia''
* ''The Real Thing'' (December 13, 2005, RCA Records), #4 U.S. album chart, certified Gold.
* Sugar Money (2000) ''Recipe for Flavor''
* "The Real Thing" (single) 2006, RCA Records, #58 on U.S. Hot 100, #39 on U.S. Pop 100
* Bice, Bo (2005) ''The Real Thing''. RCA Records
* Bice, Bo (2007) ''See the Light''. Sugar Money/StratArt
* Bice, Bo (2010) ''Bo Bice 3''. Saguaro Road/Sugar Money


==References==
==References==
* Thomas, Ronnie (March 29, 2005) "[http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050329/bice2.shtml Stepdad Downes recalls years Idol contender spent overseas]". ''Decatur Daily''.
* Thomas, Ronnie (March 29, 2005) "[http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050329/bice2.shtml Stepdad Downes recalls years Idol contender spent overseas]". ''Decatur Daily''.
* [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0427051_bo_bice_american_idol_1.html "Idol" Finalist Dodged Cocaine, Pot Raps] on ''The Smoking Gun''
* [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0427051_bo_bice_american_idol_1.html "Idol" Finalist Dodged Cocaine, Pot Raps] on ''The Smoking Gun''
* Associated Press. (June 30, 2005) "[http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-30-bice-marries_x.htm 'American Idol' runner-up Bo Bice marries]". ''USA Today''.
* Associated Press. (June 30, 2005) "[http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-06-30-bice-marries_x.htm 'American Idol' runner-up Bo Bice marries]". ''USA Today''
* Welch, Chris (April 26, 2010) "Bo Bice content with his life, excited about release of third album." ''Huntsville Times''
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bo_Bice&oldid=358696274 Bo Bice] (April 27, 2010) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed April 28, 2010


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.bobice.com/ Bo Bice] website
* [http://www.bobice.com/ Bo Bice] website
* [http://myspace.com/bobice Bo Bice page] on MySpace.com
* [http://www.rcarecords.com/bobice/ Bo Bice page] at RCARecords.com
* [http://www.idolonfox.com/archive/season4/contestants/bo_bice/index.htm Bo Bice profile] at idolonfox.com
* [http://www.idolonfox.com/archive/season4/contestants/bo_bice/index.htm Bo Bice profile] at idolonfox.com
* [http://www.governorpress.alabama.gov/pr/pr-2005-05-23-02-bobice.asp Bo Bice Day bill, signed by Riley]


{DEFAULTSORT:Bice, Bo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bice, Bo}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:GED holders]]
[[Category:American Idol finalists]]
[[Category:American Idol finalists]]
[[Category:Vocalists]]
[[Category:Vocalists]]
[[Category:Rock musicians]]
[[Category:Rock musicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Latest revision as of 10:55, 30 November 2018

Bo Bice 3 album cover.jpg

Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr (born November 1, 1975 in Huntsville) is a singer and rock musician who was the runner-up to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol, which aired in 2005.

Early life and career

Bice, the son of Harold and Nancy Bice, was born at Huntsville Hospital. His grandmother gave him the nickname "Bogart" as an infant because his eyes reminded her of actor Humphrey Bogart. After his mother remarried (Earle Downs, a Coca-Cola executive) the family moved several times, including several years in London, England.

Bice, who had won a singing competition at the age of 13, heavily pursued music as a student at London Central High School (operated by the United States Department of Defense). He formed a band called "Spinning Jenny" before dropping out of school in his junior year to move back to Alabama in 1993.

After earning his GED, Bice completed an associates degree at Calhoun Community College in 1997 and enrolled for one semester at the University of North Alabama in Florence. Meanwhile he continued performing in nightclubs across the United States and Europe. He was a member of several touring bands, including Purge, Blue Sued Nickel, and his own Sugar Money.

In 2001 and 2003, Bice was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, but had the charges dismissed when he completed a "drug diversion program" in 2003. While working at the Guitar Gallery in Pelham he met Caroline Fisher, a waitress at Hoover's Ragtime Cafe, and became an active member of New Hope Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

In 2005 Bice successfully auditioned for American Idol in Orlando. He left his day job at Guitar Gallery in Pelham to go to Hollywood for the competition (which had raised its age limit from 26 to 28).

American Idol

Encouraged to audition after American Idol raised its maximum age for contestants to 28, Bice impressed the judges with his performance of the Allman Brothers' song "Whipping Post". He was among the top contenders all season and adopted Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" as his "theme". The group joined him on stage for a performance of the song during the season. Bice stood out from the other contestants by electing to perform a cappella in the final show, narrowly losing the last ballot to Carrie Underwood. As he later told Rolling Stone, his final thought before the announcement was "Please, God, don't let me win this thing."

Post-Idol career

Signed to RCA Records, Bice's first single, "Inside Your Heaven" debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. He sang a song with Willie Nelson at a concert at the Alabama Theatre and was invited by Nelson to perform at Farm Aid. Bice also appeared on Carlos Santana's 2005 album All That I Am.

On June 15, 2005, Bice married Caroline. Their first child, Aidan Michael, was born on September 24 of that year. Two more sons, Caleb James and Ean Jacob, were born on August 5, 2008 and January 22, 2010, respectively.

On July 31, 2005, Bice broke his foot while performing with other American Idol finalists on tour in Manchester, New Hampshire. On August 18, after suffering from stomach pain for months, he underwent emergency intestinal surgery to remove a blockage. During his absence from the tour, fellow contestants Anwar, Nikko, Scott, Anthony and Constantine sang "Sweet Home Alabama" and wore Bo Bice T-shirts. Bice returned to the tour for the final two concerts in Syracuse, New York.

Bice's solo debut album, The Real Thing, was released on December 13, 2005. It sold around 227,000 copies in its first week and opened at #4, the sixth-highest opening for a debut album by an American Idol finalist to that date.

Bice currently resides in Nashville. Country Music Television aired an hour-long program about his "post-Idol" life and the recording of The Real Thing in January 2006. Through that Spring he alternated between public appearances and hospital stays as intestinal issues continued to plague him. He was dropped from RCA Records in 2007.

In 2008 Bice made two trips to perform for U. S. troops in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Discography

  • Purge (1999) Ex Gratia
  • Sugar Money (2000) Recipe for Flavor
  • Bice, Bo (2005) The Real Thing. RCA Records
  • Bice, Bo (2007) See the Light. Sugar Money/StratArt
  • Bice, Bo (2010) Bo Bice 3. Saguaro Road/Sugar Money

References

External links

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