Singer T.J. Craven, 11, is on his way, recently winning first place at the 2007 ‘Flagstar Kids Talent Quest.? Craven of Independence Township won a $500 gift certificate to Macy’s and a $500 savings bond from Flagstar bank.
Craven began singing at age 3; he enjoys singing country and Elvis.
‘I really like Elvis, but I am starting to move away from that and try to get into more country,? said Craven.
Craven said he really likes Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill.
Craven has also been trained to sing opera, by his voice teacher Frank Pitts who used to teach voice lessons at Rochester College.
‘I used to sing opera,? said Craven.
Craven said he prefers performing for large crowds of people.
‘My favorite thing about singing is more along the lines of singing for big audience,? he said. ‘I kind of have this phobia I like singing for bigger audiences (more) than smaller audiences because you can see everybody in the smaller audiences.?
Craven said ‘it would be awesome? to sing when he gets older, but if for some reason singing doesn’t work out; he wants to be a defense lawyer.
‘I am always going to go to law school or college,? he said.
Craven has competed in four competitions one of which was the Michigan State Fair where he got second place.
He said he enjoys meeting new people at competitions as well as performing for judges.
‘It actually makes you stronger to be judged harder, than it is to be judged winning,? he said. ‘It’s not all about winning, it’s about having fun.?
Craven is not just a solo singer, he also enjoys duets with his friend Molly Svrcina, also 11 years old. They sing the song ‘Jackson? by Johnny Cash and June Carter.
‘Of course, I am Johnny Cash,? said Craven with a smile.
Craven said he really likes singing with Svrcina.
‘When we really get into the music and when we look at each other and we kind of act it out and do stuff,? he said. ‘Backstage is fun too, we joke around.?
Along with singing, Craven also plays the piano, harmonica and ‘strums a little? on the guitar. He is performing ‘Good Golly Miss Molly? for his next piano recital.
When Craven is not singing or performing, he enjoys golf, swimming and any water sport. His favorite school subject is Western Global because he gets to learn about the world. He was excited to tell his mom he was studying ‘England? for his country. At the end of the year, they get to make food pertaining to England. Craven is also proud to be known as the ‘class clown? and joker.
Craven is not just competiting ? he has bookings to do shows. He said he would rather perform than compete.
‘I like performing on stage, and moving around the stage and going, doing my own moves, dancing and all that stuff, then the reaction from the crowd is very, very cool,? said Craven. ‘If they’re clapping really good, it makes your momentum more of a boost.?
Craven is set to perform at a Diabetes Charity Oct. 14 in Ypsilanti, and he will open for country singer Anita Cochran in November.