Books in Blue Banner Biographies series

When Keith Urban first came to Nashville, few people believed he could really make it in the business. After all, what does a mate from the Land Down Under really know about American country music? Keith didn t listen to these naysayers. He loved country music and he knew he could play it and sing it just as well as anyone else. He had been playing the guitar and singing in bands since he was a kid and had already proven himself in his native Australia. Yet he knew he d have to do the same thing in the U.S. if he ever wanted to be taken seriously as an artist there. Over the next ten years, he struggled and worked hard. Finally, it all paid off, and Keith became what he is today one of Music City, USA s hottest country stars.

As a Little Leaguer, David Wright didn t get to play his favorite position: shortstop. His dad was his coach and he believed young David needed to prove he could make the big plays out in right field before being moved infield. The plan worked. David put in dozens of hours of extra time practicing his fielding and hitting. He was determined to be the best. That dedication and talent put him on the fast-track through the minor leagues and, at age 22, earned him the role of third baseman for the New York Mets. A fan favorite, Wright played on MLB s National League All-Star Team in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2010, he became the youngest Mets player ever to reach 1,000 hits. Learn what motivates this hardworking player with the million-dollar smile.

John Stephens, now known as John Legend, climbed up on the piano bench at his home when he was barely four. It was soon apparent that the youngster had real talent. He combined that talent with determination and hard work to become a successful recording star before he was thirty. He was nominated for eight Grammy awards the first year he was eligible and won three. In 2007, Legend used his celebrity to begin a humanitarian project called the Show Me Campaign. Mbola, Tanzania, has clean water, better crops, medical care, and improved schools because of Legend s efforts. In 2008 he actively supported Barack Obama as a candidate for president and sang at a pre-inaugural party at the Lincoln Memorial. Read how Legend made it to the top, and how he continues to draw huge crowds all over the world.

Losing made Chris Daughtry a winner. The American Idol contestant s surprising elimination from the show initially left fans and Daughtry stunned and bitterly disappointed. He had begun to believe the fan sites that were predicting he would win it all. Finally, it had seemed, all those years of singing with local bands back in North Carolina were paying off. Then it was all snatched away when he was voted off the show three weeks from the finale. It wasn t long before Chris realized that being free from Idol was an opportunity to go back to his musical roots performing with a rock band. He turned down an offer to join Fuel as their lead singer and chose to form his own group, which he called, of course, Daughtry. Chris had one chance and was determined to make it or fail on his own talent. By betting on himself and his band, Chris Daughtry struck gold.

Businessman, producer, hitmaker, and entertainer DeAndre Cortez Way, known as Soulja Boy Tell Em, received his first Grammy Award nomination for best rap song when he was in high school. Before I was rapping, I was just a regular kid in school, he said. One day at school my friends were freestyling at the lunch table and that s where it all started. From his shoes to his shades and unique accessories, Soulja Boy designed his own movement. Wearing oversized shirts and brightly colored sneakers, the young rapper hit the stage with original songs and dance moves. Harnessing the Internet and employing guerrilla-style marketing, DeAndre capitalized on digital technology to build a fan base and sell millions of singles and ringtones. Combining fresh style with cutting-edge technology, DeAndre set new trends in entertainment while he was still a teenager.

Before Russell Wilson set the NFL world on fire and won a Super Bowl, he had already become a great athlete. He led his high school team to state championships in football. He set records at two different colleges in two different football conferences. He played professional baseball for two years and may play again. But most of all, he has captured the hearts of the fans in the city of Seattle and throughout the world. His poise, leadership, and extraordinary athletic talent have combined to make a superstar at a very young age. His Christian faith guides him and his good works in the community inspire many others. He traces his roots from an extraordinary family whose accomplishments are far-reaching and wide-ranging. His potential is unlimited and his story is just beginning. This book highlights his exceptional life.