Devin Crutcher: Making It Without the Band
"Diddy pulled me to the side and said I wasn't the one he wanted to send home....He also said he could understand why they picked me because I was one of the ones he was looking at."
In 2006, Devin Crutcher was one of thousands of contestants vying for a spot on music mogul Sean "P Diddy" Combs' Making the Band 4, season three. He was on a mission to find young men who could sing and dance well enough to jump start the resurgence of the boy band. Armed with extreme talent and God, Devin selected the moniker “Swagger” and was given the green light to move to New York and stay in the house with 19 others who had also survived the grueling audition process. Unfortunately shortly after he got there, he fell victim to Diddy’s decision to let the contestants decide who would be next to go home. By a majority vote they selected Devin and his dream of making the band died that day. One is left to wonder if they selected him because they were threatened by his talent. However, slowly but surely others were eliminated and the five guys who remained now make up the R&B group we know as Day 26. But Devin’s dream of being a successful recording artist still lives on, and he’s working every day to make it happen.
Jae: What are your thoughts about your experience with Making the Band 4?
Devin: My experience was actually pretty good. I know it was an opportunity that most people don’t get. I met a lot of influential people in the small amount of time I was there. I met Diddy, Joe, Michael Bivins, Laurie Ann (choreographer) and several members of the Bad Boy staff. And I got to meet a lot of people I would have never met as far as the other singers in the house. They were guys from different cities who shared the same interests and dreams as me, and we were in the same house getting to know each other. I have nothing negative to say. The experience was pretty cool.
Jae: What were your thoughts after you got voted off?
Devin: What happened on TV was not how it actually happened. I didn’t find out who voted me off until I saw it on TV. The judges, vocal coach, Laurie Ann all gave me a lot of compliments. So, maybe the other guys thought I was a threat. I was hurt because I felt like I could have made it further in the competition if they hadn’t done that. After I got voted off, Diddy pulled me to the side and said I wasn’t the one he wanted to send home but because of the decision he made to let the guys in the house decide, he had to let me go. He also said he could understand why they picked me because I was one of the ones he was looking at. He wished me the best and told me to keep pursuing my dream. I was hurt but it is what it is.
Jae: Have you heard from Diddy since the show?
Devin: I’ve heard from some of his people, his producers. Actually, me and the guys in Day 26 are still friends. We talk ever so often. They performed at Euphoria earlier this year.
Jae: So what are you doing now?
Devin: Since the show, I have opened up my own club called Euphoria. It gives me an on-going platform to display my singing live. Also because of my affiliation with the show, I have been able to be the opening act for artists like Fantasia, Dave Hollister, Raheem DeVaughn and Chico Debarge. I’ve had several artists call me to befeatured on their songs—Yo Gotti and Gyft, to name a couple. I’ve been working with the producer Drumma Boy and had the opportunity to write a couple of songs for Usher’s new album. I’ve also ghost written for some artists right here in Memphis, while working on my own album. I’m constantly being asked to perform, whether it’s at Euphoria or an outside event. I’m on my grind.
Jae: When do you anticipate your album coming out?
Devin: I am trying to have it out by fall 2010.
Jae: Why so long? That’s a year from now!
Devin: (LOL) It’s because I’m doing so much. It’s hard to focus on my stuff. Right now, I’m focused on the writing. There’s more money in writing than there is in me singing. I have about seven songs done and I want at least 12 -13 on my own album. Maybe I’ll be able to get it out sooner.
Jae: Your first independent album, Sounds of Seduction was full of sexy love songs. What kind of music can people expect from you on this one?
Devin: The upcoming album will be a little bit of everything. I have love songs, dance songs and awareness songs. It’s something for all ages and every mood. If I had to describe my sound I would say neo-soul/old school with a drip of R&B. I’m pretty much into the old STAX type of groove.
Jae: I’m glad you said that. How has your background influenced you? (Devin’s grandmother, Bettye Crutcher, used to write for STAX Records and penned Johnny Taylor’s Who’s Lovin You and The Staples Singers’ Respect and Smiling Faces.)
Devin: My grandmother has had a big influence on my songwriting. Talking to her and other STAX legends helped groom me. She told me to put my emotions into every song, tell a story and relate to your audience. The songs a person remembers are the ones that bring back memories or have a phrase or something in it they have experienced. Also, a person can only feel it if you feel. That’s the best way to get your passion and vision to resonate with others. Before Isaac Hayes passed, we had a long conversation about my singing ability and songwriting. He gave me some great advice as well. STAX has been the roots of my musical growth.
Jae: What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in the industry?
Devin: Never give up. When obstacles come your way you can’t say forget it. I’ve had a lot of doors closed in my face but God always made a way. Even with Making the Band, I actually got cut initially. Music producer Brian Michael-Cox called me back and had me try out again. Then, I got put on the show. Never say never because if you want it, you’ve got to make it happen.
Jae: Not everyone knows this but you stutter. Has your speech impediment ever proved an obstacle for you?
Devin: Wow. Nobody has ever asked me that. The only time I really stutter is when I’m nervous. Ever since I was a little kid people have been like, 'Dude you sing so good but you stutter when you talk.' (LOL) It’s gotten much better over the years. As a child it was hard for me to speak at all. I took speech lessons and those helped. I don’t let it stop me. If I slow down, relax and talk, I don’t stutter.
Jae: I asked that question because we all have something that could hold us back if we let it. Some people are self-conscious about their looks and others have a physical disability. Some people really can’t sing but because they gave it everything they had they ended up getting a recording contract. We all persevere through something on our way to the top. You've got to stay motivated!
Jae: What is the ultimate goal for Devin Crutcher?
Devin: The ultimate goal is to actually have my album out and it be a success. I want to have the opportunity to be on stage at the Grammy’s, MTV Awards, BET Awards--what have you. I want my peers to say, 'You did a hell of a job on your album.' I want the world to know who I am and to know my music.
UPDATE: Since this interview things have really taken off for Devin he travels regularly to New Orleans, Houston and other cities to perform. If you would like to keep up with him, join his Facebook Fan Page.
In 2006, Devin Crutcher was one of thousands of contestants vying for a spot on music mogul Sean "P Diddy" Combs' Making the Band 4, season three. He was on a mission to find young men who could sing and dance well enough to jump start the resurgence of the boy band. Armed with extreme talent and God, Devin selected the moniker “Swagger” and was given the green light to move to New York and stay in the house with 19 others who had also survived the grueling audition process. Unfortunately shortly after he got there, he fell victim to Diddy’s decision to let the contestants decide who would be next to go home. By a majority vote they selected Devin and his dream of making the band died that day. One is left to wonder if they selected him because they were threatened by his talent. However, slowly but surely others were eliminated and the five guys who remained now make up the R&B group we know as Day 26. But Devin’s dream of being a successful recording artist still lives on, and he’s working every day to make it happen.
Jae: What are your thoughts about your experience with Making the Band 4?
Devin: My experience was actually pretty good. I know it was an opportunity that most people don’t get. I met a lot of influential people in the small amount of time I was there. I met Diddy, Joe, Michael Bivins, Laurie Ann (choreographer) and several members of the Bad Boy staff. And I got to meet a lot of people I would have never met as far as the other singers in the house. They were guys from different cities who shared the same interests and dreams as me, and we were in the same house getting to know each other. I have nothing negative to say. The experience was pretty cool.
Jae: What were your thoughts after you got voted off?
Devin: What happened on TV was not how it actually happened. I didn’t find out who voted me off until I saw it on TV. The judges, vocal coach, Laurie Ann all gave me a lot of compliments. So, maybe the other guys thought I was a threat. I was hurt because I felt like I could have made it further in the competition if they hadn’t done that. After I got voted off, Diddy pulled me to the side and said I wasn’t the one he wanted to send home but because of the decision he made to let the guys in the house decide, he had to let me go. He also said he could understand why they picked me because I was one of the ones he was looking at. He wished me the best and told me to keep pursuing my dream. I was hurt but it is what it is.
Jae: Have you heard from Diddy since the show?
Devin: I’ve heard from some of his people, his producers. Actually, me and the guys in Day 26 are still friends. We talk ever so often. They performed at Euphoria earlier this year.
Jae: So what are you doing now?
Devin: Since the show, I have opened up my own club called Euphoria. It gives me an on-going platform to display my singing live. Also because of my affiliation with the show, I have been able to be the opening act for artists like Fantasia, Dave Hollister, Raheem DeVaughn and Chico Debarge. I’ve had several artists call me to befeatured on their songs—Yo Gotti and Gyft, to name a couple. I’ve been working with the producer Drumma Boy and had the opportunity to write a couple of songs for Usher’s new album. I’ve also ghost written for some artists right here in Memphis, while working on my own album. I’m constantly being asked to perform, whether it’s at Euphoria or an outside event. I’m on my grind.
Jae: When do you anticipate your album coming out?
Devin: I am trying to have it out by fall 2010.
Jae: Why so long? That’s a year from now!
Devin: (LOL) It’s because I’m doing so much. It’s hard to focus on my stuff. Right now, I’m focused on the writing. There’s more money in writing than there is in me singing. I have about seven songs done and I want at least 12 -13 on my own album. Maybe I’ll be able to get it out sooner.
Jae: Your first independent album, Sounds of Seduction was full of sexy love songs. What kind of music can people expect from you on this one?
Devin: The upcoming album will be a little bit of everything. I have love songs, dance songs and awareness songs. It’s something for all ages and every mood. If I had to describe my sound I would say neo-soul/old school with a drip of R&B. I’m pretty much into the old STAX type of groove.
Jae: I’m glad you said that. How has your background influenced you? (Devin’s grandmother, Bettye Crutcher, used to write for STAX Records and penned Johnny Taylor’s Who’s Lovin You and The Staples Singers’ Respect and Smiling Faces.)
Devin: My grandmother has had a big influence on my songwriting. Talking to her and other STAX legends helped groom me. She told me to put my emotions into every song, tell a story and relate to your audience. The songs a person remembers are the ones that bring back memories or have a phrase or something in it they have experienced. Also, a person can only feel it if you feel. That’s the best way to get your passion and vision to resonate with others. Before Isaac Hayes passed, we had a long conversation about my singing ability and songwriting. He gave me some great advice as well. STAX has been the roots of my musical growth.
Jae: What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned in the industry?
Devin: Never give up. When obstacles come your way you can’t say forget it. I’ve had a lot of doors closed in my face but God always made a way. Even with Making the Band, I actually got cut initially. Music producer Brian Michael-Cox called me back and had me try out again. Then, I got put on the show. Never say never because if you want it, you’ve got to make it happen.
Jae: Not everyone knows this but you stutter. Has your speech impediment ever proved an obstacle for you?
Devin: Wow. Nobody has ever asked me that. The only time I really stutter is when I’m nervous. Ever since I was a little kid people have been like, 'Dude you sing so good but you stutter when you talk.' (LOL) It’s gotten much better over the years. As a child it was hard for me to speak at all. I took speech lessons and those helped. I don’t let it stop me. If I slow down, relax and talk, I don’t stutter.
Jae: I asked that question because we all have something that could hold us back if we let it. Some people are self-conscious about their looks and others have a physical disability. Some people really can’t sing but because they gave it everything they had they ended up getting a recording contract. We all persevere through something on our way to the top. You've got to stay motivated!
Jae: What is the ultimate goal for Devin Crutcher?
Devin: The ultimate goal is to actually have my album out and it be a success. I want to have the opportunity to be on stage at the Grammy’s, MTV Awards, BET Awards--what have you. I want my peers to say, 'You did a hell of a job on your album.' I want the world to know who I am and to know my music.
UPDATE: Since this interview things have really taken off for Devin he travels regularly to New Orleans, Houston and other cities to perform. If you would like to keep up with him, join his Facebook Fan Page.