Nick Fradiani Gives Second Connecticut Performance Since Winning “American Idol”

Guilford native Nick Fradiani gave his second Connecticut performance Thursday since his crowning moment on "American Idol," playing with his band, Beach Avenue at Spotlight Theatres in Hartford, which hosted many watch parties for fans to see him compete on the show.

The event at the movie theater was hosted by iHeart Radio and fans had to win tickets on KISS 95.7, Country 92.5, The River 105.9 or KC 101.3  to attend the private concert. It was the second concert in two days, performing with Beach Avenue at a private Acoustic Cafe show at The Russian Lady on Ann Uccello Street in Hartford the night before. That concert was hosted by 96.5 TIC and sponsored by Miller Lite for fans who won tickets.

"These are the ones I won't forget.This is what I was doing before I came out here. Playing at a bar back in Connecticut," he said, adding that he used to play every other Friday night at City Steam in Hartford.

And he won't forget, as Beach Avenue drummer Ryan Zipp took a lot of photos and videos at both events to continue documenting the journey of Fradiani and the band, which also includes Nick Abraham, who plays both guitar and mandolin.

They played a few songs for the crowd at Spotlight, including his single, "Beautiful Life," "Coming Your Way," the original song they played on "America's Got Talent" last year and "Bright Lights" by Matchbox 20. For the Acoustic Cafe, his first acoustic show in Connecticut since winning "American Idol," Fradiani and his band played acoustic versions of his single and their original, as well as "Feel the Beat" and "I'll Be."

Fradiani's father, Nick Fradiani Sr., who is also a band member even though he didn't perform with them on "America's Got Talent," got up on stage to harmonize with his son in their original song, "Songman."

Fradiani pointed out a line in the song to the crowd about a singer performing on an empty stage, but feeling at home. He quipped about it seeming that being from Connecticut is not part of the criteria to be an "American Idol," but that wasn't the case this season.

It's always a "powerful moment" for the father and son to sing together because music is a big part of their family, according to his dad. Fradiani Sr. said that he and his family will miss Nick when he's traveling to tour and record, as they are all very close, but that he thinks his son has what it takes to be a star. They've even filled his empty chair at the dinner table with a stick attached to a picture of him so he can still be a part of their meals.

Nick took to singing at age 3 when he performed "Pink Cadillac" by Bruce Springsteen with his dad on a cruise ship and had an early knack for picking up on melodies and singing them, according to his father.

Fradiani said that returning to Connecticut to perform has been very special and that it's nice to be back in his home state.

So how does it feel to be the new American Idol?

"It's funny because I always get asked that and I'm kind of like, I don't know. I don't think it's really set in yet," Fradiani said. "It's only been a few weeks, but it's a hard thing to kind of put into words. It's just been so amazing. Sometime a couple months down the road I think I'm going to be able to sit down and take it all in, but it's been amazing. It's kind of like living your dream."

It's been a good year for Fradiani and his band, which had been together for a few years before they ever went on TV for a talent competition. Before "Idol," Fradiani and his Beach Avenue buddies competed on NBC's "America's Got Talent." 

While Abraham said that it was hard for the band for a little while with Fradiani away, but they threw their full support behind him when he first talked about auditioning for "American Idol" the last year he could before the age cut-off of 28. After "Idol," they weren't sure when they'd be able to work with him again and they are happy it's been so soon as they travel a lot with him for radio spots.

"It was amazing seeing him progress through 'Idol' and to see his success," said Abraham, who also served as Fradiani's music mentor to help prep him for the final stages of the competition.

He said that Fradiani has been loyal to the band and is a good friend and a natural talent. The band members, who live with Fradiani in West Haven, were featured on "Idol" when he returned home to visit his hometown of Guilford, where about 10,000 people attended a parade in his honor. Ford also sponsored a trip for Abraham and Zipp to fly to California to see Fradiani in the final round live.

"It was kind of an amazing experience being there live," Abraham said. "We got all choked up seeing him win, so it was incredible."

Fradiani Sr. said he was at all but two of his son's performances.

"American Idol" has built upon the band's success after "America's Got Talent" and given them more national exposure and concert opportunities, growing their national fan base on top of their home-state support.

While the Hollywood experienced and being on TV was different for them, when they got on stage and played, nothing changed and they felt like they were at home, Abraham said. "Idol" really helped Fradiani become more comfortable being in front of cameras, Zipp said. The musical ride has been "wild," he said.

As Fradiani works on promoting his single, they'll perform with him at radio spots and some concerts. Fradiani Sr. said he hopes to fly out to the recording studio while his son is working on his album and said they are in constantly talking over the phone about music. He helped his son pick some of the songs he sang on "Idol," like "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry.

On Memorial Day, Fradiani sang the national anthem at the National Memorial Day services in Washington D.C. and his father said that was something really special to see.

After his appearances on two TV shows, Fradiani said he's looking forward to devoting his time to making music in the real world and focusing on his upcoming album and working with some "great co-writers."

"That's what I was born to do," he said. "That's what I love to do."

How has winning "American Idol" changed his life? Well, Fradiani said Wednesday was the first day in awhile he has gotten to relax and sleep in with his busy schedule. He is doing a lot of interviews and has some performances lined up.

"I almost cried when I found out I could sleep. I was so pumped," he quipped. "It's just been a lot of craziness. It'll be a lot of going city to city and I'm ready for it. I've been waiting to do this. I'm ready to go."

While he is the man with the talent, he said his Connecticut fans and his "insane hometown support" gave him the advantage and edge he needed to win the title of American Idol.

"Just thank you. Without all my Connecticut fans, I wouldn't have won," he said. "It feels great to be home."

He and Beach Avenue had a concert at Marisa's Ristorante in Trumbull later on Thursday afternoon.

Fradiani will spend all summer on his "American Idol" tour from July 7 to Aug. 28. Then he plans on doing his own tour and hopefully some performances in Connecticut open to everyone.

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