By Staff
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Granny Madge Schofield had been home from Hollywood less than a week when her grandson, "American Idol" runner-up Bo Bice, began recording his first CD for RCA Records in New York City.
"He's on his way to stardom," Granny Madge explained. "He's already number one on the charts and he hasn't even released an album yet."
Pre-order sales of Bice's single "Inside Your Heaven" and "Vehicle" reached the top of the Barnes &Noble.com singles chart May 31. The CD is due to be released June 21.
"And Clive Davis signed him with RCA Records, too," Granny Madge said. "He's recording his album right now."
Granny Madge left for Hollywood just prior to the May 25 finale of "American Idol" and returned home to Somerville May 29. She and her daughter Nancy Downes, Bice's mother, spent most of their trip visiting with Bice, but they did manage to get in some sightseeing.
"This celebrity gave us full use of his Hummer stretch limo, his driver and his body guards for the day," Granny Madge recalled. "The driver asked us where we wanted to go and almost at the same time we said, 'Wal-Mart.'"
Granny Madge said they also got to see homes of the stars, including the former home of Nicole Brown Simpson.
"We just went non-stop from 6 a.m. until we passed out at night," Granny Madge said. "We ate a lot of good food and met lots of movie stars. There were lots of them in the crowd at 'American Idol' and at the party after the finale."
Granny Madge and Downes were treated like stars themselves while in Hollywood. They appeared on "Entertainment Tonight" and "Inside Edition" following the AI finale.
"Those hosts were such cutups," she recalled with a laugh. "They took us shopping for clothes and got our hair and makeup done. That was really a lot of fun."
Downes' husband, Earl, and other family members met the ladies in Hollywood to share in the excitement and to visit with Bice, but those weren't the only familiar faces Granny Madge saw in Hollywood.
"There were a good many people from home there," Granny Madge said. "Chris Welch from the Huntsville Times was there, and (WAFF) Channel 48, and several others. They just followed us around like little poodle dogs. They were as proud for Bo as we are."
While Granny Madge enjoyed her time in Hollywood, she said there's still no place like home.
"It was wonderful, but I'm glad to be home now. It was just exhausting."
Although she said Bice won't be returning home to Helena for quite a while, Granny Madge expects he'll be glad to get some rest as well.
"He can't even go to the bathroom at a restaurant without getting mobbed," Granny Madge explained. "We were at dinner and he got up to go to the restroom and people just wrapped around him. The body guards had to go with him and Bo said he couldn't remember the last time he had to have someone go to the bathroom with him."
Granny Madge said the experience was something her grandson will have to get used to.
"This is just the beginning for Bo, just a drop in the bucket" she said. "He's going full blast and he gets his energy from his Granny Madge."
Bice's grandmother may have to get used to being a star herself.
Granny Madge, who designed and sewed most of Bice's outfits for his American Idol performances, has been approached by major clothing manufacturers to design a Bo Bice line of clothing.
"I haven't decided what to do yet, though," Granny Madge said. "My youngest daughter is having brain surgery June 21 for the second time to remove a tumor. I have to get rested right now and concentrate on taking care of her."
But Granny Madge isn't seeking fortune and fame. She is just glad she was able to be a part of her grandson's rise to the top.
"I've had a blast and I wouldn't trade it for anything in or of this world," Granny Madge explained. "Being with my grandson has been the best part, which I haven't got to do in a while. I've so enjoyed making his clothes and just being there to support him. He's my baby, my little baby boy."