Multitalented poster boy Jim Verraros, a onetime "American Idol" contestant, nudges his way further toward center stage with "Rollercoaster," his 2005 collection of attention-grabbing pop hooks and introspective songwriting about his journey to pop stardom. Released on Koch Records, the album offers beguiling dance jams infused with catchy rhythms reminiscent of Christina Aguilera's hard-edged, sexy, up-tempo numbers. Simon Cowell, this one's for you.
JIM VERRAROS
Jim was undoubtedly one of the most talented and talked about contestants to ever appear on the hit Fox TV show American Idol.
Jim won the hearts all across America as a featured performer on the 2002 American Idols Live Tour, but his popularity really soared after he came "out" in The Advocate in January 2003. Jim's young fans, both gay and straight, not only embraced the disclosure, but verily celebrated it, proudly signaling the broader acceptance of gays among the next generation.
Songs from Jim's self-released CD, Unsaid & Understood, rocketed to the top of mp3.com's Top 40 Rock Chart and Top 25 Pop Chart. The CD went on to win the 2004 Out Music Award for Outstanding Debut (Male).
Jim is featured in the current hit independent film Eating Out, directed by Sundance Film Festival winner Q. Allan Brocka, which has already played to sold out audiences in Los Angeles, New York, London and Toronto.
Out Magazine's, Gary M. Kramer says, "Maybe it's damning with faint praise, but the adorable Jim Verraros (of American Idol fame) gives the film's best performance as a fourth side to this quirky love triangle." (Out Magazine, March 2005.)
The hit will be opening again to audiences in Los Angeles, New York, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago in 2005. Jim not only acts in the film, but also contributes two songs to the soundtrack.
Jim's Koch Records debut, Rollercoaster, features well-crafted, pop gems similar to the recent work of Justin Timberlake. Verraros' voice would have you mistake him at times for a young George Michael.
Gabe Lopez, a hot Los Angeles singer/songwriter and producer, co-wrote and producer Rollercoaster. Angela Peel, A.I. Top 30 Finalist, co-wrote four of the album's 11 tracks. Rollercoaster is a straight-up pop record that will be sure to please Verraros’ fans and new fans around the world.