Colton Ford Plays Tug of War From Porn to Pop

-- Michael Shinafelt from AfterElton.com

The transition from porn to pop has never been an easy one; there have been many who have tried with varying degrees of success. Traci Lords for one did have some success with her singles “Fallen Angel” and “Control” as well as the full length CD named for the latter single.

Traci’s success is an exception to the rule; for the most part the transition never takes. Others like Jeff Stryker, Heather Hunter and Jeff Palmer and have failed to crossover. But it looks like the rules are about to be broken in a big way with the release of Colton Ford’s Tug of War.

What some may not know about Colton is that he only did porn for 10 months, but he has been singing since he was a child. He released his first single with John St. James in 1988. Shortly after a string of unlucky business deals put and end to his actively pursuing his music career.

Colton, tired of struggling in the corporate world, did something unexpected for a professional singer: he turned to porn as a means to an end. Porn was something that provided the financial stability that he needed in order to focus on his dream of making it big in the music industry, and put his name into the publics consciousness.

This career move is something most artists who have failed to make the transition to mainstream success have cited as a roadblock for them as an performer. Colton, however has managed to turn this “roadblock” into an asset.

Colton Ford in The Lair

In 2004 he collaborated with dance diva Pepper Mashay on a cover version of Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” that scaled to number 9 on the Billboard Hot Club Play Chart.

His new album is getting a great deal of positive press for the former adult film star. Colton states that Tug of War “is the completion of a long journey for me, my collaboration with Quentin Harris covers a wide range musically, from House, Soul, R&B and goes all the way to pop.”

His video for the single “The Way That You Love Me” was voted one of Logo’s top ten sexiest videos, and there is also a steamier video version of the track (“The Blue Door Edit”) which, along with the original, can be viewed on YouTube.

With his starring role as Sheriff Trout on Here TV’s gay vampire series The Lair and the release of Tug of War, Colton is enjoying a very successful post-porn career. “The album has something for all of my fans to enjoy,” he says.

Those fans can pick up the album when it hits shelves today, and in the meantime here's the video for "The Way That You Love Me".

Comments

[junior]

I think Colton is actually transitioning well because his album is actually good. It's like when everyone wanted to hate on Paris Hilton's album until they started listening and didn't... completely... hate it...

And it's not all dance music. My fav song is "You Get What You Want" which is his wannabe-R&B style song. I think people will appreciate good music even if the person did porn (like Andrea True's "More, More, More" which you forgot to mention, although it was just the one song so I understand).

[lothaire]

I would just like to say that I think Colton Ford will be in the music business for awhile. I love his cd. There are songs on the album for every taste. Keep up the good work Colton

[Jockolot2]

I was very shocked when i ran upon the music of Colton on Youtube as I did not believe it at first and thought it was some gimmick for a movie or something, but when I watch I as very amazed and he sounds Fantastic!!! I love this CD and have searched all over the net because i just found out about it in April 2008 so I cant' find the physical CD and that is what I am looking to purhase. I really wish that he does well as I love his vocals, the harmonies, how they wrote this album, the sexy business suits he wears (please keep him wearing those) he looks so HOT as a Wallstreet guy!!!! I am very impressed and want to hear the entire album but I dont' want leaks, i really honestly would like to purchase a physical version of the CD so i can enjoy it from start to finish. I am a writer and I would love to submit a song for him to do in the future. I am so proud of Colton. this makes me very happy. I am a fan for sure.

[hater]

um, when u have 2 use voice overs and rap to cover up your shortcomings, you're not a musician. oh and the comment about only doing porn for 10 "months", that's fine, but when you use your body to sell songs (e.g. music videos), whatever, what a hypocrite!!