America’s Got Talented Alum and Gifted Songwriter BRIAN JUSTIN CRUM Opens Up About His Newest Music, Being On The Show and More!

Brian Justin Crum has been singing since he was five years old. Growing up in San Diego, Crum was always an entertainer. He attended the San Diego school for the Creative and Performing Arts and fell in love with performing. He was cast in the Broadway show “Wicked” when he was 18 years old and moved to New York City. After years on Broadway, he decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of pop music.

All this led him to being on “America’s Got Talent.” He blew away the judges on the show’s 11th Season, earning the respect of Simon Cowell along with a 4^th place win! Crum was also invited to appear on AGT’s special Champions shows in January and February. “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” brings together the world’s most talented, memorable and all-around fan-favorite acts from past seasons of “AGT” and the other “Got Talent” franchises, spanning 194 territories.

In addition to being a stellar performer, he won the hearts of the AGT audience, who resonated with his story of being an overweight, bullied, gay teen. He strongly supports anti-bullying and LGBT efforts. Crum garnered millions of views from his performances of Queen, Michael Jackson, Radiohead and Phil Collins –  which went viral and generated some of the highest online statistics seen by the show’s emerging talent.

He dreams of touching people with his music, to make them forget about their problems and get lost in song even for just a moment.

Check out his current video of “We Are The Champions” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN7Im40QrlY

His new single is called “Circles” –  https://open.spotify.com/album/27kFElMwYYYuRqSqEIGBfM

Learn more about Brian Justin Crum in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you? 

Home in sunny Los Angeles!

Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have for yourself and your music this new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions? Mine was to read more for fun! 

My plan for 2019 is focus on being present in every moment. Create music that fills my soul and makes me want to dance. To tour and bring everything I have been working so hard on to all the amazing people out there supporting me!

Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make? Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?

It’s hard to recall the moment because I don’t remember life before music and performing. I started very young at about 6 years old. I fell in love with the stage and there was no other option for me. It’s what I always knew I would do, forever! If I wasn’t making music I would probably be working with animals in some respect.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

It’s been a hard lesson to learn, that it’s not always the most talented people that rise to the top. This business is tricky and you have to have a really solid sense of self as you maneuver through it.

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?

I def have a very laid back vibe about me. Being from Southern California def rubbed off on me. I have moments where that lazy stoner beach bum grabs hold of my soul! My music often have a light hearted/tongue in cheek way about it… very Cali

I’m curious to know what you feel like you learned from being on America’s Got Talent? Would you do that experience all over again and would you recommend other aspiring artists go on a singing reality show like it?

I learned a lot… ESP my time on Champions. The show has a very specific audience and a veryyyy specific way it wants to present itself to that audience. It has a focus on mass media entertainment so doing something interesting and new isn’t usually met with open arms. I had hoped to have more freedom in song selection and storytelling then I did. As I focus on my own music and artistry I find that the person I was presented as on the show doesn’t feel completely authentic anymore.

I am grateful for the exposure though! I advise any artist considering a reality show that they know EXACTLY why they are doing it. Expectations lead to disappointments.

What was it like going back and performing on AGT’s special Champions shows?

It was tough. I feel like my story was a bit over done and repetitive. The songs were edited for air in a way that didn’t do them justice.

As a big Queen fan and the song “Somebody To Love” in particular, I must ask about being involved in the musical ballet for it on Valentines Day?!

Well it’s a rock concert with incredible contemporary ballet dancers!! It was sold-out and the show was INCREDIBLE! We all had the most amazing time. The energy from the audience was NEXT LEVEL!

You have covered so many songs so I’d love to know which one was the most fun and rewarding to do? Are you constantly thinking of what song you would like to cover next? 

I’m focusing less on what covers I’d like to do and more on the music I want to write! “Creep” will always and forever be one my favorites!

What can you tease about your new original material that will be released in the coming weeks? What has it been like writing your own songs? What has inspired them? 

My music has a lot to do with the growing pains of relationships. As I continue to evolve as a human and understand more and more deeply, the music I writes changes. I find the growth incredibly rewarding. It’s hard to speak truth to what you’re going through and then present it to the world… but it is also very therapeutic and healing.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

I have a love/ hate relationship with social media. It can be distracting and a numbing mechanism for me… but it’s also the place where I get to connect with my fans and stay in touch. I love responding to their comments!

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future? 

Queen for sure. Freddie was a God and I dream of having songs of my own that have the intensity and depth of his. I also really love Sia and Lady Gaga! They both have a magical way of writing pop music that entertains but also teaches.

Where can fans see you perform next? Do you have any kind of a 2019 tour scheduled yet?

Lots of performances coming up! Follow me online @brianjustincrum for updates!

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

Like an explosion happened deep in the universe.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why? 

My voice is the only instrument I need! It’s a lot lighter to carry anyway 😉