For years, Elvis Stojko wowed figure skating fans with his breathtaking leaps on the ice. Now, the former world champion is making the jump to a new arena. The two-time Olympic silver medallist – the first skater to land a quadruple-double and a quadruple-triple combination in competition – has recently finished recording his debut album. "I’ve always loved music – skating to music, moving to music (and) singing," the 34-year-old said recently from Milton, Ont. "My mom was a dancer, my dad’s a singer and I’ve always had that kind of music in my life." The Richmond Hill, Ont., native describes the album as "hot" adult contemporary – but with a bit of a twist. "It’s just more edgy," he said. According to producer Mark Lalama, the album is very personal. "I wouldn’t say biographical but it’s songs that mean a lot to him," said Lalama. "He’d like to share (the songs) with the people that supported him his whole career."The CD includes a duet with Canadian Idol finalist Ashley Leitao of Burnaby, B.C. Before You also appears on the new album from Braided, a trio comprising Leitao and fellow Idol finalists Casey LeBlanc of Nackawic, N.B., and Amber Fleury of Calgary. Stojko said he was very impressed with Leitao’s performance on the show last season and was disappointed when she was eliminated Singing is one of several pursuits for Stojko. He still skates on the pro circuit, was a silver medallist at the World Kickboxing and Karate Association championships last year and has dabbled as an actor, appearing in the stage production of Grease in 2004.In fact, he says he would like to pursue a career in film in the future. "I enjoy the singing and acting is sort of my next step," said Stojko, who will be taking the rest of the year off from professional skating after a final performance this month. "I won’t be skating for the rest of my life, that’s for sure."
Jam!
