Breaking the Mold: Bo Bice is far from AI cliché

Bo Bice!

Bo Bice is not what you picture when you think of a clean cut American Idol. He's got hair down to his shoulders, he sings rock and roll and he plays a mean guitar solo. But he paved the way for rock stars everywhere when he had the gall to go on American Idol, which also makes him smart.

He knew you couldn't pay for publicity like AI, so he changed the demographic of auditioners for all future seasons to come. Sell out? Hardly.

While not as well known as his AI contemporary and season mate, a little someone we like to call Carrie Underwood (because that's her name), Bo has kept himself busy on the road since his run on the show. Now, he's moving out of the blue haze with his new album "See the Light," inspired by his visit to Iraq and Afghanistan. He talked with us about his inspirational visit, his place in the music world, and singing for the troops.

With the fame AI has afforded him, Bo has taken every opportunity to do what he loves while giving back (he is known for his charity work and performances). Yet visiting a country of war tends to have a profound affect on people, and Bo is no exception.

"It was a life changing experience, I was so humbled. I kept thinking 'You live this everyday; I'm only doing it for two weeks,'" he said. "All we see on the news is the bad, but we're doing a lot of good over there also. I wanted to find a way to thank them for all that they've done."

Not only is the new record a testament to the troops, Bice also penned a song to speak to the heart of soldiers everywhere entitled "American Blood."

"They would come up and thank me when I would sing it, and I just always said, 'No, thank you,'" he said. "If a redneck like me can go over there, then anyone can. People ask me for a photo all the time, why don't people do the same for soldiers? I think we should thank a solider every time we see one."

Bo is hardly a diva rock star, opting instead to inspire others while continue doing what he loves, no matter how popular he might or might not become.

"I'm being realistic, rock radio doesn't embrace people from Idol," he said. "Country radio is much [more accepting]. I just want to do what I love on my own terms."

Bo said he doesn't care if he never becomes a platinum-selling artist (although he couldn't be happier for those Idols that are)--he's just doing what makes him happy.

"Like my father always used to say, if your work is something you love, you'll never work a day in your life. So I haven't worked for three years. "

Bo's album can be purchased exclusively at Wal-Mart and on most Web music sites.