NBC’s “The Voice” was a huge surprise hit last spring and winner Javier Colon was buoyed by having a second chance after previous efforts to break it big had failed. (He had been with Columbia Records from 2002 to 2006.)

But when he released an album in November with Universal Republic, hardly anybody noticed, even though reviews were respectable.

“It wasn’t just Javier Colon’s high, supple, long-breathed, achingly sincere tenor that made him the winner on the premiere season of ‘The Voice’ this year. It was also his personality as a family man, earnest striver and all-around nice guy. He doesn’t break character on his new album, ‘Come Through for You,’ which is filled with advice like, “If you want to make it in love, you’ve got to be ready to give everything.” - New York Times.

“Not only does Colon sound invested in these songs — the result, surely, of having actually written them, which is another change from the pre-fabricated ‘American Idol model — he sounds thrilled to be singing them. He ‘does it well, in a smooth, expressive voice that lets his earnest, winsome personality shows through over a light reggae backbeat on opener ‘Life is Getting Better’ and the bubbly duet ‘As Long As We Got Love,’ featuring Natasha Bedingfield. She’s not the only guest: Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine, Colon’s coach on ‘The Voice,’ helps with vocals on the slinky, rhythmic ‘Stand Up.’ “ - Hartford Courant.

It debuted on the Billboard top 200 at a shockingly low 134, selling fewer than 10,000 copies its first week. (”America’s Got Talent” winner and Sinatra-esque crooner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.’s album came out the same week and debuted at No. 34.)

His first single off the album “As Long As We Got Love” barely got any radio airplay, peaking at No. 47 on the Mediabase 24/7 Hot AC chart. (His previous song “Stitch By Stitch,” played on “The Voice,” also died on the vine.)

Colon is currently on tour for his album, coming to Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.

“I promise there’s going to be lots of love,” Colon said.

Colon has been around long enough to know that there are no guarantees of success, even after winning a big reality program. “It’s a tough business,” he said. “It’s by no means easy. Just because I did well on the show doesn’t necessarily mean I’m set for life. There are plenty more hills to climb.”

He acknowledged that sales of the album were less than he had hoped. “I believe a majority of the people who watched me on the show had no idea my album was even out. We’re just trying to get the word out.”

Colon hopes to make a return appearance on “The Voice” at some point so they know he has a new album available.

He said in concert he will sing a couple of songs he did on “The Voice.” (His audition song was a heartfelt Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time’”).  He’ll then mix in songs from his older album and current album.

Once the tour is done, he hopes to woo radio program directors and try to get airtime on stations. Though radio isn’t as influential as it used to be, it’s still an important outlet to break songs and artists, he said. “If I have to visit every radio station in America, I’m prepared to do that,” he said.

He is scheduled to show up on Monday on “Better Mornings” on CBS Atlanta.

He said the last time he came to Atlanta, he played the Apache Cafe in Midtown. You could fit maybe 200 people in there tops. Now he’ll be in a 1,000-seat venue at Variety.

“I’m very happy with the forward progress that has been made,” Colon said. “I’m in a much better position than before. It’s a matter of making the best of this opportunity and try to get the music there to the fans.”

He also hopes to nab some corporate and private party gigs, which always pay well. And with “The Voice” airing overseas, he hopes to get some traction outside the United States as well.

Colon said if “The Voice” hadn’t happened, he’d be seeking a job teaching music in a school system.

IN CONCERT
Javier Colon. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. $36.45 after fees.  Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Avenue Northeast  Atlanta. 404-249-6400. www.ticketmaster.com.

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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk