Dear Stranger by CJ Rislove for NPR's Tiny Desk Contest 2023 inside a school bus

[@6u5t4v0j1m3n3z]

Here from Idol and I know I'm not the only one!

[@HaiIroTori]

Lmao me too

[@gotowarsportsapparel2955]

Dude, just watched you on idol. DNA is musical notes. You’re a reincarnation of Tin Pan Alley my man. The world is missing that kind of pure talent. It’ll move mountains. Keep reaching down deep. Rooting for you.

[@margieaustman]

I totally agree! Such a good change from some of the same 0 that’s out of there. Stay true to YOU. Don’t be to eager to give yourself away to managers

[@rhondar.]

American Idol brought me here! WOW! I think you could win! Your vocals & Jazz piano playing are great! Please post more on here, while you can.

[@marilynkurtz333]

The 2024 American Idol CJ Rislove

[@LGCPRODUCTIONSTV]

Best audition on idol my guy, best of luck 👍

[@kevinmccarthy7321]

Wow. Please make a couple of more music videos. I enjoyed this and truly enjoyed your American Idol audition. Thank you.

[@ashleysaenz5830]

Idol made me look you up for more songs! WOW, this is just stunning!

[@bpatton3671]

It doesn't sound like a masculine compliment, but "Just Lovely"! I could have listened to that for hours! 😢 ❤❤

[@ellenmellon64]

Fantastic! Gossebumps! Excited to see you launch to stardom this Sunday on American Idol and make our little hometown of Chippewa Falls famous! Break a leg and make us proud, Chippewa Falls son! ❤❤

[@bemame0119]

The first time I heard him on his American Idol audition his songs reminded me of Bob Dylan. He is going to go a long way!

[@MelissaVRamos]

Thank you for this, CJ! You made my day better. That was a great intro to AI! You gave us people who are the opposite of where you are an inspiration. What an inspirational life. I was so depressed for many reasons but you empowered me! This reminds me for a time when I was 8 yrs old with a bad situation happened to me with this secret and heard music come from the hallway. I made an excuse to go to the bathroom but I went to the gym by my classroom. IT was therapy to listen to the music. I even asked my mother for money to buy the school record when it went out. Honestly, my family is forcing me and fighting me to give up arts which is complicated story. I am good but my helicopter family doesn't see my talent but they try to steal my thunder. Sick. My life is a mess. Thank you for giving the light again of hope of second chance like the 8 yrs old girl too. I have watched this clip for 4xs already. I can watch this forever. Thanks again!! Good luck. You can do it!

[@michemman]

Keep creating Melissa, art is with you. :) In kindred spirit, Eliza Most Beautiful Day is Today! Saturday 24th of March 2024; 12:44am in Dulwich Hill, Sydney, Australia xx

[@lizvajko1520]

Voice of an angel 🤩

[@FunFactoryTV]

I see a lot of talent shows like X-Factor, The Voice, Idol and here I found You, and let me tell You something You have a great friendly personality and a Monumental Talent and this two combined will lead You to success. Congratulations CJ great work keep doing more and more videos those will be the pillars to help catapult the HUGE TALENT You have. Never give up. You'll go far. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ritatheroad2631]

This song is so so beautiful, CJ. I’m so proud of you. ❤

[@rockyreynolds4027]

Here from idol and wanted to see more of the bus

[@simonarneberg700]

I keep closing the tab and then opening it up again because I literally get goosebumps every time I listen to this song. Amazing

[@Catalystresource]

Just saw you on AI and love everything about your lifestyle, personality and musical talent and what I'm hearing here but there is so little content and so few followers that I don't understand why, and that you only sing in open mics occasionally. If you're writing every day you should have a huge KZbin channel with a huge following and the performing every chance you get- busking, open mics, club gigs. With your level of uniqueness and skill you should be a lot more known by now so really look into why that's not happening, internally and on a practical level ( coming from a counselor and life coach). You were obviously very goal-oriented and determined to buy and build this bus from the age of 14 which is exceptional, so you've got it in you to be ambitious and go for what you want!

[@valerierislove3947]

He has struggled with perfectionism for so long- only recently really putting himself out there. His new saying is done is better than perfect😊 so happy you like his style.

[@michemman]

Hi Valerie, Are you his sister? I love CJ's work. Already a big fan. Love everything so far. This rendition of a letter to a stranger, is soulful. Could you do me a favour, and ask CJ to record a really simple version of his audition tape, The Astronaut and the Rockstar, with the pause is so good, with him and the piano? I have to keep playing the audition tape to write my novel to, while it is on repeat. Till then, I keep listening to Spotify with all of CJ's the music over there. I have messaged on a few KZbin video sites now, and I presume he is so busy working, and perfecting, he doesn't get to read these comments... @valerierislove3947 In kindred spirit, Eliza Most Beautiful Day is Today! Saturday 24th of March 2024; 12:56am Dulwich Hill, Sydney, Australia xx

[@valerierislove3947]

@@michemman good morning. I was able to catch a moment of time with my son yesterday and pass your request for an acoustic version of the astronaut and the rockstar. He would be honored to but I’m sorry it won’t be very quickly due to present local and schedule. He wishes you well on your writing, from one artist to another. Cheers and blessings.

[@michemman]

Thanks so much Valerie, Mum. @valerierislove3947 Yes a piano version or simple classical guitar with a deeper timbre quality, have a look at the audition video and note the 5 second pause, when CJ went back to his lyrics on his phone, just how powerful this was, "to hear silence, and then return to comfort," note judges expressions! I have been having his work on repeat, into the editing phase of my first draft, and my book is love story sci-fi speculative fiction set on both Earth and Mars, so the lyrics are so important to me. CJ's music is definitely up there with David Bowie, Bob Dylan Elton John where their lyrics and sound is becoming the emotive journey, and has been written into the song part of each scene, acknowledging musical talent and inspiration, so also let him know this please. 100 % inspired by your work, and thankyou for your universal channel, "stay with it," as Lionel Richie's advice is really saying. "you control your shots." lol Thanks Mum, Valerie Rislove for passing this on to CJ. I wish him a steady adventure in "his own lane" on American Idol, a journey, perhaps CJ could "write down what success sounds like" before he gets too invested in what a tour bus would do for him.. Find your own manager, for your needs, CJ. Things are rocketing fast, so hang on for the ride. It seems "faking it till you make it", has already happened, with your talent and a heck of a lot of fine, daily practice and hard work. Love a real lot on spotify particularly, "The fall of Lucifer (according to a 9 year old), showing empathy to the devil makes you a highly sensitive person. (HSP) "Dear Stranger" is exquisite, love the part where your run falls away and melts with no piano just your voice, no wonder it is close to your heart! Imagine your tiny desk entry 2023, a good one for later, with you on a fine white grand piano, so keep it to yourself, up your sleeve so to speak, with simple key lighting to pull the audience in towards you with slow falling red rose petals and light rain on the screen backdrop cyclorama, magical to get the higher votes in Idol. Concentrate now on building your fan base, getting great works as audio work out on KZbin, and slowing this Earthship down... Eliza Most Beautiful Day is Today! Saturday 30th of March 2024 12:34pm in my studio Dulwich Hill, Sydney Austrralia xx publishing under Rubinia Lane [e-mail] (Woodwork teacher, writer, Montessorian, artiste', illustrator, shit kicker, motivator.)

[@winstonallen6933]

Me too!

[@bbcforyou186]

Rooting for you idol

[@GarysBBQSupplies]

Hi CJ. Great audition on AI I was impressed with your audition and hope you go far! Love the bus and the Spaceman song. Keep on smokin. :)

[@margieaustman]

I love CJ’s music. Can’t wait to hear more and more!

[@moniquemurphy8217]

Incredible

[@valentialopez5638]

You are my favorite on American Idol. I wish you win!

[@bonniearmstrong7046]

Beautiful CJ❤

[@cindyv3290]

Breathtaking, wow.

[@HecateArtANdDesigns]

👏🌠

[@RebeccaCampbell-d9r]

Sweet 🎉

[@JohnDoe-f8q]

Amazing composition

[@Skoolie309]

Such a powerfully moving piece. Simply beautiful. Would love to hear more of your work.

[@surfing4theloveofit]

We need to hear more ❤❤❤😊

[@michemman]

"Dear Stranger," So, my favouite CJ didn't get through. I ain't watchin' American Idol 2024 anymore, after screaming at KZbin on my laptop! I have sworn, and carried on to my partner Patrick... Back to my novel then, I will go! I politely quit. Missing in action. We both think you are amazing, your humble personality shines. Listening to this gem, "Dear stranger," on repeat will sooth me...Too many CJ views on youtube, now none of Hollywood week? What is going on? ABC and judges got it inside out and upside down, no everyone can't try again next year! Hollywood week needs to support people before they hit the stage, at least to the duo rounds. No duo round? Let the judges and ABC see this tiny desk entry, and they can eat any one of CJ's hats for breakfast! ABC needed to listen to Lionel, and save ALL of these great people. Is it just me or do the judges look 'pissed' for being not supported when they asked to save more and then a compromise of taking more than half? So hire a few more people to mentor and coach everyone who made it to Hollywood Week, for 30 mins, your ratings would fly. Has ABC directors and management changed, is Ryan Seacrest not in full control? Hire all the people who are already vocal coaches! Imagine the ratings if all were saved? Chinese acupressure points work well for stage fright, nerves, anxiety and exams, heck there are even some points for grief! Well, I be rubbin' them! CJ, get on that dang piano and write about cruelty and despair, on behalf of all of whom have been ripped off! Then get back to your daily practice, a chorus, a verse, and "a bridge" everyday. Yes I added that bit... :) And yes, you will still need a manager, with all of your fans screaming for more.... PS I have words for you to write a song in the key of E I would love to hear it sung through you, and my partners words are like gold, he is a poet with 300 poems to his name, a bit like later Dylan style highway 61. Heck, I will manage you from here! keep on groovin' and touring, wheels go round... In kindred spirit, time to play the blues ballads, need a harmonica in E... Eliza Most Beautiful Day is Today! April Fools Day 2024; 5:54pm (they sure fooled me, only foolin' themselves) Dulwich Hill Sydney Australia on the green lounge teacher, Montessorian, humanitarian, writer, artiste', illustrator and shit kicker [e-mail] PS: CJ see your Mum's comment on a thread below, after she spoke to you about me writing my novel to your work....and asking for more work from you from your audition, I replied to this under the thread...

[@marbintot]

WOW! The next American Idol! Goosebumps!

[@candy_shark]

WOW this is great omg

[@scottmarshall9034]

Brilliant , please post more music I found your clip after your idol audition. I hope you do well and all the best for the rest auditions, I think your lyrics are amazing and the song you did on idol was so good I would buy that song if you released it I hope that gets into the charts because you have a talent that even Elton would be happy that his name was used in comparison for that audition. I hope you go all the way and best of luck I will be looking for your updates .and also this song is amazing to

[@Whatman814]

I came your channel through American idol. 👍

[@Axxess51]

I wanna hear The Astronaut and The Rockstar !!!

[@valerierislove3947]

It’s on YT Spotify iTunes 😊

[@pacificblues5084]

I love your piano playing and I love your voice. Super comforting. It's like so classic old school but also feels very fresh. It's like I've been transported back in time but it's the future??! I really hope you find success regardless. For me personally, the melodies especially verses sometimes don't quite hit the way I'd like. But that's my own personal preference. I'd just be careful about what you choose if you get further in. Good luck! p.s. I'd love your music to be remixed into the lofi chillhop style, just saying... :)

[@danixvalentine]

This is an amazing composition. I looked for you since I just watched your American Idol audition and instantly became a fan! I'm a songwriter too (my singing voice sucks), but nowhere near as great as yours. Love your style and your work. Keep it up! xxx

[@shlomobauer6355]

Brillant

[@threlesaran6685]

Omg!!a musical genius AI just brought me here.

[@dinofond]

I'm trying to figure out how to get my studio into a full time travel situation like you have. Hope to meetup and Jam someday CJ and behold your amazing talents and humor :D

[@fzuma]

I tried to add Astronaut and a Rockstar to my Spotify playlist but to my dismay, it's inactive. Can you put that song on your KZbin channel? It's so amazing looove your deep vibrato.

[@valerierislove3947]

It’s back on! Enjoy!😊

[@jt777yeah]

Just here to record the fact that Clark is sooo wrong. Haha. That is all. Looking forward to your career & your cosmic wandering.

[@karaalexys-gv7ev]

💡💡💡

[@WishboneKeegan]

Billy Joel meets Elton John is right... Keep singing!

[@Tarekseyler]

I just got your chopin debussy kind of thing

[@VitalityMassage]

I loved the astronaut and rock star song but this one... nope. Too much drama. Too much lovey dovey. lol

[@arizjones]

Not my favorite of your songs. I think you are great, but this one isn't my favorite to be honest.