AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Tate Stevens

Artist:Tate Stevens

Song:Power of a Love Song

Album:Tate Stevens

Country singer Tate Stevens won season two of X Factor. That got him a record deal with X Factor creator Simon Cowell's Syco label. Power of a Love Song was the first single from Stevens' 2013 debut album. It looks like when neither the single or album performed particularly well, Stevens was dropped and he has never recorded again. As I always say, these TV talent shows are a double edged sword. Stardom is possible but failure is more likely. Plus there are way too many of these shows on TV. Plus I read the other day that Blake Shelton is starting his own TV talent show. It's a crowded marketplace out there. Stevens was born Stephen Eatinger Mar. 1, 1975  in Belton, MO. His family moved to Texas while his dad played drums in a country band. Eatinger's nickname is Tater. So when he decided to be a singer, he took the stage name Tate Stevens. After graduating from high school, Stevens returned to Missouri and worked construction in Raymore. He was already married with a family. While still in Texas, he released a single and an album and led the band Dixie Cadillacs in 1996. After returning home, he continued to perform in Missouri clubs and released an album in 2008. In 2012, he went to Kansas City to audition for season two of X Factor. Stevens won and that got him a record deal with Syco. He farmed it out to RCA Nashville. Stevens moved his family to Nashville in 2013. The single Power of a Love Song was released and it reached #49 on the Country Singles chart. Then the album Tate Stevens was released. The album was produced by Blake Chancey. He is a veteran producer who was A&R director at Sony Nashville in the 90s. When the album didn't sell, RCA dropped Stevens and he hasn't recorded since. He remained in Nashville for a few years. But he moved his family back to Missouri and is back to working construction. So what happened? Look, Stevens is a decent singer. There's nothing wrong with him. But there's nothing about him that stands out except that he won X Factor. Without X Factor, he doesn't get a record deal. So at least he had a chance. Also, he only co-wrote one song on the album. Songwriting can keep a singer going and many make a good living in Nashville writing songs. Here's Tate Stevens performing Power of a Love Song on on MLB Fan Cave 2013.