Music – Portland
2016 Oregon Soloist of The Year, CJ Mickens, of Portland, Oregon, originally hails from Las Vegas, NV where he attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. It was there he discovered his true passion for creating good music. Growing up in a family grounded in the church, he began to sing and perform on a weekly basis. At an early age he's had the opportunities to sing in various parts of the country and overseas. His solo pursuit began at age 15 after moving to the Pacific Northwest. He then got involved with the NAACP ACTSO Music Program winning Gold Medal 3 years in a row advancing to New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans. During his senior year of HS he had an opportunity to work with a Christian record label which eventually moved him to Nashville, Tenn. After recording demos, record label bankruptcy and pitching to multiple managers his opportunities began to fade, moving him back home to the Pacific Northwest. In 2002, CJ Mickens had the opportunity to appear on Season 2 of American Idol, followed by 'Showtime at the Apollo' in 2004. Since then CJ Mickens has taken the opportunity of redirecting his gift in singing to reaching out and inspiring others. His main goal is to show the love that god has given him whether Gay/Straight/or Bi God doesn’t make mistakes. In 2012 he was announced the winner of Portland Idol, starred in his own show Sunday Night Soul and won a national award with his acappella group Rezonate at the Pacific Northwest Harmony Sweepstakes.