After “American Idol” finalist Kris Allen first stepped onto the stage of the Fox singing competition, the 23-year-old college student later confided in his pastor that feeling the warm stage lights and seeing the eager audience looking up at him reminded him of only one thing: going to church.
“Kristopher was in a position where he was singing on a weekly basis in front of a large number of people,” said Brandon Shatswell, executive worship pastor at the New Life Church in Allen’s hometown of Conway, Ark. “I had him learning new songs quickly, things that he might not readily choose for himself, so I do think working here helped him be more comfortable in the competition.”
Not only has regularly performing in churches prepared many singers for the big “Idol” stage, religion may also be providing some contestants with a built-in voting bloc. Joanne Brokaw, who blogs about “Idol” and Christian music at BeliefNet.com, believes many Christian viewers have been rallying for this season’s Christian contestants.
“I think Christian music fans really like to get behind the Christian contestants,” says Brokaw, who has been writing about the eighth season on the Gospel Soundcheck blog. “It starts before the top 12 with individual churches. I think word spreads, and there’s chatter on the Internet. I think it really says something about the viewership of ‘American Idol.’”
At its core, “Idol” is a singing contest, but finalists’ popularity has always seemed to play a big role in who moves forward. This season’s most prominent Christian contestant has been Danny Gokey, the bespectacled recent widower who has worked for eight years at Faith Builders International in Milwaukee and at its sister congregation in Beloit, Wis.
Gokey’s pastor, Jeff Pruitt, says the 28-year-old church music director’s faith — as much as his talent — has propelled him to succeed in the competition after his wife died four weeks before he auditioned for the show in Kansas City, Mo. Pruitt says how far the husky voiced singer goes in the competition isn’t really up to the viewers.
“Honestly, we believe it’s in God’s hands, and that God is in control of all of our lives,” Pruitt says. “Danny is in a place in his life that he is trusting the Lord with everything that’s placed in front of him because he never dreamed any of these things — good or bad — would happen. He prays. He says, ‘Lord, I will go as far as you want me to go.’”
A modified weekday service at Faith Builders International includes tuning into “Idol” after prayer. Pruitt says he’s been encouraging the congregation to vote for Gokey to keep him in the competition.
Like Allen and Gokey, many contestants throughout the past seven seasons of “Idol” have been Christian and either overtly or subtly showcased their faith. Several finalists, including second season winner Ruben Studdard, have gone on to release gospel music albums. Brokaw believes the increased emergence is part of the evolution of Christian music.
“Look at Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers and Flyleaf, who’ve blown up in the mainstream,” she says. “I think the fact that the line between Christian music and the mainstream is becoming more blurred makes it OK for people who are involved in worship to audition for a show like this and not feel like they are selling out or will be criticized.”
Christian music itself sporadically finds its way into the show. Besides countless renditions of “Amazing Grace,” a few hopefuls, such as this season’s Nathaniel Marshall, have auditioned with evangelical Christian tunes. Fifth season finalist Mandisa Hundley sang “Shackles (Praise You)” by Christian duo Mary Mary during the seventh week of competition.
The involvement isn’t limited to crooners. The winners of the first “Idol” songwriting contest were Christian music singer-songwriter Scott Krippayne and his pastor, Jeff Peabody. Their winning ditty, the non-denominational ballad “This Is My Now,” was selected by viewer votes and performed by Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks during the sixth season finale.
Read the Rest of this SFGate Story HERE
All I can say is:
SIGH.
What does being religious have to do with them singing? From the first year of Idol there have been religious people on Idol. Yes, even Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken came from religious backgrounds. Clay sang every week in church. Jennifer used to sing in the church choir. Melinda Doolittle, David Archuleta, Brooke White, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, and yes even Chris Daughtery have heavy church influence, but where are the stories about that?
Kris is my second favorite.
Matt is my number 1.
Both of these “White Chocolate” guys are great and I wish them both well.
I hope Kris, Danny, and maybe some others will produce some awesome Christian music. My local christian rock station could use some new songs.
ok…so this will definably be danny’s genre…enough said. Apparently Adam or Allison may not be good enough for Christian radio stations to play? … I agree with the “sigh”….why does it matter again who’s sung in the church again? Adam sung in theatre and Allison sung in various competitions..