When you look at Colton Ford’s life, it’s like reading chapters of a book. The New York resident grew a huge fan base in the 1990s and early 2000s with his adult film career. Today music is his passion and it has transformed the one-time corporate business man and model into a staple at clubs around the world. On Jan. 15 and 17, Ford will perform live at The Flamingo Resort in St. Petersburg.
“I don’t get tired of talking about [my adult film career] because it is part of my story and it enabled me at 40, to create this thing “Colton Ford” that I’ve been able to use to draw attention to the music I’ve enjoyed and created my whole life,” Ford said from his New York home. “There’s a contingent of people out there who won’t be able to see past the film career or resent me for doing that and singing now. But the larger audience seems to see me as multifaceted.”
It was seven years ago that Ford left the adult film industry to focus on his singing career. In 2004, the documentary Naked Fame followed his career-changing decision and he’s never looked back. He’s starred as the sheriff in three seasons of the Here! television series The Lair and he’s toured to promote his new album Under the Covers for more than a year.
“I’ve always gravitated to R&B, soul, funk and jazz,” Ford says. “I like all kinds of music but I’m not really into heavy metal. My first inclination is to go with R&B and soul music and I’d say that’s where my roots are.”
Defining his music is difficult, Ford says. It’s dance music, for sure, but it’s not pop. He prefers to call it adult contemporary.
One of his biggest hits is the remake of R.E.M.’s Losing My Religion.
“For a song like that, which isn’t R&B based, it’s more about something you feel,” Ford says. “It’s great to go in [the studio] and put my interpretation into play. It certainly goes for the other songs on the album as well.”
For his first album, Tug of War, Ford co-wrote all of the tracks. His newest CD contains covers from R.E.M. to Fleetwood Mac. Surprisingly, however, the track list on the CD isn’t necessarily a reflection of the star’s ultimate playlist.
“I grew up listening to Chaka Kahn, Marvin Gaye—I really gravitated to music that I felt and artists that really kind of conveyed emotion and feeling,” Ford says. “That’s kind of where I live musically. So taking these songs and reworking them is a fun challenge.”
Michael Stipes of R.E.M. has let Ford know he likes the reworked version of his song, and record sales seem to support that.
Since leaving his last career seven years ago, Ford has relocated to New York and now focuses on his music full time. He and his partner of a year and a half travel together when they can and Ford plans on bringing his partner with him to St. Petersburg.
“I travel often but there’s an ebb and flow to it,” Ford says. “I’ve been off lately for the holidays, which has been nice, but I obviously welcome the work and the travel that comes with it. Often, when I do a gig, I come in the day of the event, perform later that night and then fly out the next day. I’m looking forward to hanging out for a minute in St. Petersburg.”
Ford’s two shows are at 11 p.m. and he’ll follow them up with a meet and greet with fans. He’s also going to take an opportunity to catch up with friends and family in the Tampa Bay area.
“My stepfather lives in Tampa so I have a connection there,” Ford says. “And I was there a few years ago when Naked Fame was at the film festival. So I know Tampa Bay and I love it down there.”
While Ford plans to continue recording music, fans will see him in a different media genre in 2010. Ford is one of five out gay professional men to be profiled in an upcoming reality show called Velvet Mafia. Ford couldn’t give specifics about the show, but he said it would be carried on a major network later in the year.
“I can’t give too many details because we’re finalizing the deal, but that should happen in like two weeks,” Ford says. “Essentially it’s a reality show that follows five gay men who make an impact in their vocation. We have a celebrity photographer, fashion designer, video director, party promoter and me, the singer. It’s the first show of its kind where you have five lead characters who are all gay, but its really driven as a lifestyle program.”
Ford compared it to the Housewives series on Bravo, but said in this instance, the five characters have something to market during the show, rather than marketing things because of the show.
“Let’s be honest, reality shows are the new marketing and PR tools of our era,” Ford says. “I have a diverse fan base of all ages. There really isn’t one age group or socio-economic class that likes my music. It seems really open, which I dig. I’ve also been surprised at the number of female fans, which is great. But I think this will open me up even more and introduce all of us to a wider, accepting audience.”
Ford has accomplished a lot in his life—from the adult film screen to music to a recurring role on the small screen. He says the experiences have helped shape who he is and he’s not ashamed of anything in his past. In fact, he believes every step he has taken has helped him find his dream.
“I’m not in my 20s, I’m not in my 30s and I’m not 40,” Ford says. “So certainly for those people who are over 30, I would say hopefully artists like myself and those over 30 and following their dream prove that dreams don’t stop and the ability to realize them don’t stop at a certain age.”
For more information on Colton Ford or to listen to sample tracks, visit ColtonFordMusic.com. For more details on his show at The Flamingo, visit FlamingoFla.com.
