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E-mail This StoryA star came down from his Hollywood perch Tuesday night to encourage and perform an impromptu concert for the students, families and the public at Williams High School.
George Huff, fifth runner up on the third season of “American Idol,” gave a special free performance of his song “Bounce” and a medley of “Hark the Herald Angels” and “Gloria” after the WHS orchestra’s holiday concert.
“It’s not just that he did it for free,” said Ron Planks, WHS orchestra director. “I get the idea that he’s a giver and it just fits and that’s what we do around this time.”
Planks met Huff at North Park Mall in Dallas at a promotional event for the movie “Dream Girls,” which fellow “American Idol” performer, Jennifer Hudson starred. The two began talking and Planks “just went for it,” and asked Huff if he would come to the orchestra concert and sing for the fans.
“Just the joy, I guess,” Huff said about his decision to perform at WHS. “I just want to say hello. I think it’s important for students to see role models and to let them know they are paid attention to.”
During his performance, Huff invited the students and audience members up to the stage to dance. Students in black dresses and tuxes from the orchestra performance crowded to the stage for the chance to touch a man with a passion for music and helping kids feel empowered with their dreams. Students bounced along with the maroon-jacketed and multi-colored dotted shirt singer.
“It’s not often that high school musicians get an opportunity to meet and perform with people doing it for a living,” Planks said.
Huff may be staying in Dallas for longer than his performance. His family has recently planted roots in the area, after they were displaced from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
He said if he has the chance to do more events like the performance at WHS, then he’d stay in the area. When he returned to his hometown after his stint on “Idol,” he mainly performed at high schools, trying to reach out to children with music and promote the actualization of dreams in music careers.
Before becoming an “American Idol,” Huff was a student at Oklahoma University, studying to become a music teacher. He grew up in abject poverty, raised by his mother in a federal housing project next to the French Quarter in Louisiana. His older cousin was his father figure, who shuffled him to church performances. Church is where Huff said he spend most of his childhood and time in life.
“I just loved singing so much,” Huff said. “I was a pretty nerdy kid. We didn't have money for the `right' clothes to wear, and kids would make fun of me; but whenever I was singing none of that mattered. It has always been pure joy for me.”
However, at the end of his sophomore year, his scholarship money was exhausted and after completing his junior year on college loans, financial imperatives forced him to postpone his senior year. Huff took a job cooking and washing dishes in the school's cafeteria, keeping his sites set on the goal he'd set of a degree in music education and a career as a music teacher, even as he continued to be a featured, non-student performer in the school's musical productions. As he pondered what had become a frustrating, even depressing situation, an option presented itself which he had never before seriously considered. He drove to Houston to audition for the show. Through many auditions, he landed a spot on the show and with that more opportunities opened up to him.
“A lot of our kids think that sports are the only way I want my music students to see that you can have a love and passion for it and they can be successful,” Planks said about Huff’s appearance.
Particularly close to Huff’s heart is Christmas. He said that he loves the Christmas season and can’t wait to spend this holiday season with his mother and family. Last year he was performing in Atlanta and missed spending the season with his family. This year, he plans to take the time to be with his loved ones, which he encouraged all to do this year.
“I’ll be here and asking ‘can you pass the peas please?’” Huff said.
Contact staff writer Stefanie Ackerman at 972-398-4265 or sackerman@acnpapers.com.
