The Next Big Thing: Don Philip Out of the studio, Onto the stage... Sizzilin' CD's

The Next Big Thing...

Album rating: ***/***** Listen for: You Make Me Love You, Sugar, Tenderly

don philip You'd think recording artist Don Philip wouldn't fazed by the presence of a beautiful woman. After all, he is best known for being the only male to have done a duet with the princess of pop, Britney Spears! Well, apparently, we've got it wrong -- and this just goes to show that "we're all only human!" Don, although not normally a shy guy, became "flustered" (we're talking a full-blown case of a cold chill and sweaty palms!) when he recently met a certain someone. Keep reading' for the D.L. on Don's upcoming album, interests, and insecurities...

Lindzi.com: I understand you went out on your own at age 16 to pursue your career. What was that like for you?

Don Philip: My mother pursued her own country career when I was growing up. My parents knew I was pretty mature for my age and knew I could handle myself so they weren't that worried. At first, it was a little overwhelming, but once I learned the ropes it was okay. I got to meet a lot of great people. I went to Philadelphia and got to work with Taylor Dayne and eventually met up with some people who work with the Estefans. It helped me get the feel of the music business.

Lindzi.com: You used to sing with some guys back in high school... Why'd you take the solo route as apposed to being in a boy band?

Don Philip: They weren't even in my school. They were African American so we pretty much did a lot of old school R&B. I always thought that boy bands were for guys who didn't have it all. You have a pretty one, one who speaks well, and another one who is the singer. I felt I had it all in one and maybe a little more.

Lindzi.com: Can you give us an idea of what your album is going to be like?

Don Philip: Well, all of this stems from my background. I sing from my heart. You can definitely hear gospel influences in the music I sing. It's pretty original. I think that's what's going to set me apart. Vocally it's a lot different from what you've been hearing. When I sing, it's genuine. It's a real sound and it's a sound you get only from experience. You gotta live life a little in order to sing from the heart.

Lindzi.com: What was it like working with Britney?

Don Philip: It was cool. I must say I'm the luckiest guy in the world. For one thing, I'm the only guy who's done a duet with her yet. She doesn't have one on the new album and it doesn't look like any are in the making. It was a great thing. We recorded it together so being able to stand there and look at her is a really nice thing. I think she was inspired, as well. {laughs}

Lindzi.com: Think she'll lend her voice for a track on your next album?

Don Philip: I wouldn't doubt it. She's really supported my career and helped me get opportunities that I probably wouldn't have gotten had it not been for her. She's that kind of person. I foresee a lot of Britney in my future.

Lindzi.com: And as for touring?

Don Philip: Well, I'm gonna be touring with Britney. There ya go. I'll probably do some stuff with 98 Degrees. I'll be around.

Lindzi.com: There are people out there who have been following you for almost two years now. Meanwhile, your album is just coming out.

Don Philip: Even then. I know. It's cool. I know I've got the goods. It's been a year and a half with the record... we've made like 60 songs to make sure I have the best possible record. It feels good to know I have this incredible fan base. A lot of people don't have that. I'm glad that my record company has taken advantage of the situation that they're in. It's not something that's planned. It just happened. Neither I nor my record company planned it like this.

Lindzi.com: What kind of experiences have you been through and learned from?

Don Philip: Growing up, my family wasn't always perfect. Although, everyone tries to be. Also, [I've learned] from being out there singing in clubs at age 16. In the music business you're going to meet a lot of strange people... and I met them all. {laughs} I've been through a lot... had my heart broken. Just waking up in the morning, that's a life experience. I never sat home waiting for luck to come find me, I always went out and searched for it. When you go out looking for something, you usually find about 300 other somethings you weren't looking for. {laughs}

Lindzi.com: What do you think it is about fame that changes people?

Don Philip: I don't know. I can only speak from my situation. I know that a little more pressure gets involved. A lot of people think it's the glamour and all the glitz, but there's a lot of responsibility that comes along with that. I think you feel it. For me, it means an opportunity to really reach out to a lot of people, but with that comes a lot of pressure.

Lindzi.com: Think you can handle that pressure?

Don Philip: I couldn't tell you. It's something you don't know until it's really, really happening. I am starting to feel it. Ask me next year.

Lindzi.com: Now, I've seen you in attendance at several of the concerts I've covered. Do you go to shows as a fan or as a friend?

Don Philip: To be honest, I like the competition. I go to infiltrate. To see how they're moving and what they've got. No one wins unless they find out what the competition's strengths and weaknesses are. {laughs} I have to be honest. I like to check them out and see what's going on.

Lindzi.com: What's your greatest childhood memory?

Don Philip: Just my mom singing me to sleep at night. She used to sing "You Are The Sunshine of My Life." Or musically, my cousin Jason would play guitar and we'd write songs together. Not necessarily great songs... just stupid songs about girls and stuff. {laughs}

Lindzi.com: What do you think fans would be surprised to learn about you?

Don Philip: I just met this girl at Teen Choice Awards. She has these big blue eyes that totally took me. I got all flustered -- sweaty palms, a cold sweat, fumbling over words. She was the most beautiful girl I ever met. Her name is Nadia and she's on Days of Our Lives. I went to go say hello to her and I basically made the biggest fool of myself. I was so embarrassed that I had to go and sit down. She introduced herself and I got so embarrassed that I forgot my name. So, I think fans would be surprised about that. You'd think I have all the confidence in the world.

Lindzi.com: What qualities do you look for in a girlfriend?

Don Philip: I don't know. I like a beautiful smile. I like someone who has confidence. You can see it in the way they walk. They don't have to be a tall girl, short girl, big girl, or skinny girl. I like someone who walks with confidence because when you walk with me, you've got to have it.

Lindzi.com: Any celeb crushes?

Don Philip: That girl Nadia from Days of Our Lives. You meet those people and you're like "Oh my gawd! She's the one." I love her! I don't know her yet, but I love her.

[Editor's Note: Don got so nervous talking about Nadia that he accidentally hung up on us! Don't worry he called back and had only this to say: "See what happens when I get all flustered over a girl?" Awww, how cute! Keep listening, girls...]

Lindzi.com: Glad to have you back. haha. We all do embarrassing things. What has been your worst?

Don Philip: Once I was teaching kids how to dance at a Bar Mitzvah. There was an old lady there who was the grandmother. She was wearing this like hundred thousand dollar sequin gown. She was clapping and I thought she was going up to light a candle. When in reality, she was just standing up and applauding. So, I went behind her and pulled the chair out from under her. She fell backwards and her dress went over her head. And everyone's staring at me saying, "He pulled the chair out from under her." Imagine 800 parents standing there yelling at you.

Lindzi.com: What's been your craziest gig?

Don Philip: Back when I was playing Barney and doing kids parties in Florida, I passed out in the Barney costume once because it was so hot. The kids were like "Mommy, Barney's dead." That was probably the most humiliating.

Lindzi.com: What drives you insane?

Don Philip: Legs! This girl in my Sugar video had legs you'd die for. You'll see. We just shot it. It'll be my second single.

Lindzi.com: Is there any question that hasn't been asked that you'd like to answer?

Don Philip: My favorite color is olive green. {laughs} That's what I always say now when I don't want to answer a question. Just kidding! I just want people to know I'm not perfect. I've done some great things in this business and some stupid things as a kid, as well. I just want people to be aware of that. I'm not a role model. Maybe I am only because I turn everything into a positive. I'll never see myself as a superstar because we're all only human.

With his first single "You Make Me Love You" underway, plans for a tour alongside Britney, and a newly released album, Don seems to have recovered just fine for now.

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Out of the Studio, Onto the Stage...

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Sizzlin' CD's

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