12:06 PM PST 12/21/2012 by Sophie A. Schillaci
In mere months, 37-year-old Tate Stevens went from laying concrete in Belton, Missouri, to winning a $5 million recording contract on national television.
But did the lovable family-man become a changed person in the process?
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"It hasn't changed me as a person at all," Stevens told reporters after Thursday night's win. "My tax bracket just changed, I guess."
Indeed, tax bracket aside, Stevens lifestyle is about to change significantly as he relocates from his family home in Missouri to Nashville, Tenn., where is he due to begin work on his debut album as soon as Jan. 2.
"This is a life that I've always wanted to give my family and finally I got the opportunity," said Stevens, though the whole Stevens clan won't be Music City-bound right away.
"My son wants to graduate high school with his buddies, so we're gonna try to make that happen and I'll commute back and forth as long as I have to," Stevens told reporters. "But we're definitely moving."
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While Jan. 2 looms just along the horizon, Stevens still has about one and a half weeks of holiday downtime. So what does he have planned?
"I know I'm gonna go home, and I know I'm gonna get in my bed with my wife and kids and my dogs, and I'm not doing anything for a couple days," the singer confessed.
Stevens found an unlikely ally in mentor L.A. Reid during the competition, with the Epic Records chairman -- who has guided the careers of Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Usher and Mariah Carey, to name a few -- even sporting a black cowboy hat in support of his final contestant.
"I had no idea he was even gonna put it on. It was cool, I loved it," said Stevens. "The first night that he wore it, I walked out and was like, 'What?!' That felt good, though. He's believed in me the whole time and that was, for me, that's huge. He's L.A. Reid. He runs a major record label. For him to believe, that's awesome."
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And Reid will undoubtedly continue to mentor Stevens as he records his debut album via Syco/Epic Records. While the artist expects to record a few "tug-at-your-heart country ballads," he said the overall theme of his first release will be "fun."
"I'm gonna dance with the one that got me here, as they say," he explained. "It's gonna be country, and it's gonna be a lot of fun… I'm excited."
Might Stevens pick up an instrument during the recording process, as well? The singer says he plays both guitar and drums, but is "not a musical wizard or anything... I beat around on them a little bit."
Email: Sophie.Schillaci@THR.com; Twitter: @SophieSchillaci
With reporting by Shirley Halperin
