EJay Day facts for kids

Quick facts for kids EJay Day
Day singing on the MS Veendam cruise liner in 2012.
Background information
Birth name	Earl Day Jr.
Born	(1981-09-13) September 13, 1981 (age 43)
Origin	Lawrenceville, Georgia, United States
Genres	R&B, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1999–present

Earl "EJay" Day Jr. (born September 13, 1981) is an American singer and songwriter. He became famous after appearing on the first season of American Idol. He finished in tenth place. EJay was not first chosen for the show. But he got a second chance when another contestant was disqualified.

After American Idol, EJay toured with other contestants. He also performed at many charity events. A song he sang, "I'll Be", is on the American Idol: Greatest Moments album. This album was very popular, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard charts.

EJay has not released a full album yet. But he worked with another American Idol finalist, AJ Gil. They released a song called "Calling All Angels" for a charity. EJay also released his own song, "Come Into My World". He has performed on many cruise ships and in stage plays.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

EJay Day grew up in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He is the youngest of four children. His parents, Earl Sr. and Gilda, worked for Corporate Environments. EJay started singing in church when he was very young. He says this helped him learn how to sing different parts and harmonies.

Soon, EJay began performing in bigger places. He signed with a talent agency in Atlanta. This agency also represented other future American Idol stars. When he was twelve, EJay sang the National Anthem at an Atlanta Braves game. By age fifteen, he was performing for important people. These included President George Bush and Muhammad Ali.

In 1999, EJay graduated from Central Gwinnett High School. That same year, he helped write the song "Pure Love". This song was on Raven-Symoné's album Undeniable. Before American Idol, EJay worked as a singer and dancer at Six Flags Over Georgia. He also sang on a cruise liner and acted in musicals. He even competed on Popstars: USA, making it into the Top 20.

American Idol Journey

EJay Day auditioned for American Idol in Atlanta, Georgia. He was twenty years old. He sang "Get Here" by Oleta Adams. He was first cut from the show. But he got to come back. This happened because another contestant had lied about his age.

EJay performed "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain in the semi-finals. The judges liked his performance. He was voted into the Top 10. For the first round of the finals, everyone sang a Motown song. EJay chose "My Girl" by The Temptations. The judges praised him again. But EJay received the fewest votes. He was the first finalist to be eliminated from American Idol.

Music critics have different opinions about EJay's performances. Some thought he should have stayed longer. Others liked his song "I'll Be" on the American Idol: Greatest Moments album. Simon Cowell, an American Idol judge, later said EJay could sing better than some others. But he felt EJay didn't have a unique "feel" about him.

Performances on American Idol

• EJay was brought back to compete in the Top 30 semi-finals. This was after another contestant was disqualified.

After American Idol

Day performing on the cruise ship MS Veendam in 2012 (with an unidentified guitar player on his left)

After American Idol, EJay joined the 2002 American Idols LIVE! tour. He opened each show by singing "Black Cat" by Janet Jackson. In 2003, EJay performed in Pasadena, California's Rose Parade. He sang "Calling All Angels" with AJ Gil for a charity called Give Kids the World. They later released this song as a single.

EJay also performed at other charity events. He took part in Coca-Cola's "Behind the Scenes With American Idol" tour. He sang the National Anthem for Georgia sports teams. He even performed at a tree lighting ceremony with Edwin McCain.

The MS Veendam, a cruise ship on which Day has often performed

EJay returned to performing on cruise ships after American Idol. He has performed on ships for Royal Caribbean and Holland America. He has also acted in several theater shows.

The American Idol: Greatest Moments album was released in 2002. It includes EJay singing "I'll Be". This album reached No. 4 on the Billboard charts. EJay has not released his own full album yet. But he has released singles like "Come Into My World". This song got some airplay on radio stations in Atlanta. He has also shared other original songs online.

In 2006, it was reported that EJay had recorded a full album. It was going to be called Come into My World. The album was said to mix R&B with pop music. EJay said many songs were inspired by his time on cruise ships. In 2014, EJay uploaded a new song called "Need You in My Life" to YouTube. He said it was about a relationship where he and the other person had to part ways.

Discography

Singles

Compilation Appearances

Images for kids

• 

  Day singing on the MS Veendam cruise liner in 2012.

• 

  Day performing on the cruise ship MS Veendam in 2012 (with an unidentified guitar player on his left)

• 

  The MS Veendam, a cruise ship on which Day has often performed

See also

In Spanish: EJay Day para niños