As he wraps his nationwide, headline “Back to School” tour this week, American Idol finalist Chris Sligh is asking fans to help him create his next video, by lip-syncing to the original vocals for Sligh’s debut, top 10 AC hit single, “Empty Me.”
The sardonically witty and outspoken Sligh made quite an impression when he auditioned for American Idol. Entertainment Weekly named his the “Best Idol Auditions Ever,” and he was a fan favorite, making it to the Top 12. Chris Sligh’s debut album,”Running Back to You,” became one of the best-selling Christian album on iTunes when it released in May. “Empty Me” is currently on Christian radio, and the follow up single, “Arise,” hits the airwaves this week.
The length of each video for “Empty Me” will be limited to 35 seconds, and fans will be asked to submit a video for a specific portion of the song based on the first letter of their last name. The breakdown, from Chris’s blog:
- A-C – 0:00-0:35 (start of song until “to see how it gets in the blood”)
- D-F – 0:30-1:05 (“I’ve tasted my share” until “Empty Me” of 1st chorus)
- G-I – 1:00 – 1:35 (full 1st chorus)
- J-L – 1:30 – 2:05 (full 2nd verse – “I’ve seen just enough…”)
- M-O – 2:00 – 2:35 (full 2nd chorus plus 1st “everything is a lesser thing” from bridge)
- P-R – 2:30-3:05 (full bridge – starts with “everything is a lesser thing” – plus guitar solo – DO A CRAZY AIR GUITAR SOLO!)
- S-V – 3:00-3:35 (quiet chorus until 1st “empty me of me so I can be” of last chorus)
- W-Z – 3:30-4:05 (first “empty me of me so I can be” of last chorus until the end of the song – MAKE SURE TO MAKE THOSE HIGH NOTES AT THE END LOOK AS PAINFUL AS POSSIBLE!)
Fans are encouraged to have fun and to record in non-traditional situations. Any quality video file is welcome, from cell phones to broadcast quality cameras. Videos will be accepted until October 24th.
The lyrics to the song:
EMPTY ME
by Chris Sligh
I’ve had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And ive tasted my share
Of the sweet life
And the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how i can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you
Ive seen just enough of the quick buys
Of the best lies
To know how broader goals can be drawn away
I know how i can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
Compared to you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
So why surrender all
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you.
Filled with you
Empty me
For the full guidelines on how to submit your video, visit Chris Sligh’s website, Brash Music’s website, or Chris’s blog.
