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For former 'Idol' contestant, life has a cabaret

By Times Staff
Published May 23, 2005

American Idol fans know that when Simon Cowell says of a performance, "It sounded a little too cabaret," contestants should be ready to dodge the brickbats.

So how did Cowell take the news that John Stevens, the carrot-topped crooner from last season's Idol, will come to the cabaret, namely Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City, next month. "He was pleased," said the 17-year-old East Amherst, N.Y., native.

The unassuming Stevens, dubbed Teen Martin by bloggers, considers himself lucky to be performing the standards he loves by such idols as Frank Sinatra at the tony Park Avenue nightspot June 21 to 25. It's perfect timing; his first CD, Red, comes out June 28 from Maverick Records.

But Stevens has had to do his homework - and work around his homework - to fine-tune these projects. "I'd work on weekends from noon to 1 in the morning in a New York studio on the album," Stevens said. "For the show, I've been balancing weekends and vacations to rehearse."

Despite the rigorous schedule, it has been more relaxing than doing Idol. "On Idol , there was a lot of pressure, a lot of nerves, knowing that I was going to be judged. It was hard to pull myself above that and perform at my best. Here I don't have to worry about dancing or criticism. It's just me. I have been working with a choreographer on dances."

As far as his female fans are concerned, he made no missteps on last summer's Idol tour - many of them flung their undies to him onstage. "That was flattering," he says.

The day after Stevens wraps up at Feinstein's, he has another gig lined up: his high school graduation. "It's going to be a busy weekend," he says.

[Last modified May 23, 2005, 01:23:18]