Tate Stevens Wins ‘The X Factor’
Belton, Missouri native Tate Stevens was crowned winner of “The X Factor” season two earlier this week. The 37-year-old, who was mentored by L.A. Reid while on the show, walked away with a $5 million recording contract with Sony Music. In addition, Stevens will also receive production and creative support to develop, create, record and shoot his first original track and music video. The prize culminates with his video premiering as a Pepsi commercial during the live telecast of the “55th Annual GRAMMY Awards.”
“I just remember looking at L.A. Reid, and I said, ‘They called my name. I won.’ And I turned into a big old puddle of mush and we had a big man hug for a while,” Stevens said backstage after the finale. “I’m blessed and I can’t thank people enough for everything they’ve done.”
The former road worker isn’t wasting any time when it comes to making music. He’s heading to Nashville after the first of the year to begin working on his debut Country record.
“I love having fun, so I want that to come through on my record,” he says. Stevens also plans to include some “tug-at-your-heart country ballads” on the project as well.
Stevens, who blew “The X Factor” judges away with a stunning performance of Randy Houser’s “Anything Goes” during his audition for the show, stayed true to his country roots throughout the season. Performing songs by Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and many others, Stevens managed to be a front-runner nearly every week.
Looking ahead to his career in Country music, Stevens hopes to model his future after a few of his heroes.
“In the Country genre, there are a couple of artists – George Strait, Garth Brooks. I mean, Garth is probably one of the biggest country sellers. He’s probably sold more albums than anyone else. He’s a phenom. It’s like Elvis, Michael Jackson and Garth Brooks . . . and One Direction now,” he said with a laugh. “But someone like Garth would be amazing. I believe Simon said I could be the next Garth Brooks or something like that. That’s never gonna happen, but I think if I my career could match a third of that, I would be just fine.”
