Gokey Poised as Next Christian ‘Idol’ Star
By Peter Elliott | Contributing Editor of Everyday Christian
Posted 6:50 am on May 12, 2009
Another season of American Idol is coming to an end.
Regardless of the final outcome of Season 8, Danny Gokey and Kris Allen will join the alumni of Christian artists who have topped the charts due to the unparalleled success and exposure of the show.
Danny is a church music teacher from Milwaukee. He founded Sophia’s Heart Foundation dedicated to his wife who passed away four weeks prior to his audition.
Allen is a worship pastor with roots in Conway, Ark., although his direct relationship with church has been lower profile than Gokey’s on the show.
Idol created several successful Christian artists.
Season 2 produced Ruben Studdard. Ruben’s debut album produced a number one song on the Gospel sales chart with “I Need An Angel”. Although his latest album is R&B, he is still a man on a mission with, “The Ruben Studdard Foundation for the Advancement of Children in the Music Arts.” The foundation aims to promote the essential role of the arts in education through learning initiatives for the development of students in the Birmingham, Ala. area.
The family of Season 3 contestant George Huff family lost everything during Hurricane Katrina. A New Orleans native, his old neighborhood and the building where he grew up are still abandoned and untouched since the 2006 disaster. George just released his second gospel album on Koch Records.
Mandisa, from Season 5, is my personal favorite of the bunch. She is the only female debut to hit number one in the 27 year history of Billboard’s Christian Retail Chart. Her song “My Deliverer” is 10th on the Adult contemporary Christian Music Chart. It is a well-produced and soulfully sung. Her straightforward Christian lyrics are bold and inspirational.
Chris Sligh sang during Season 6. His father worked as a chaplain among the American troops. Chris is a strong Christian who should have a very long career in the Christian industry. He thumped the Christian Adult Contemporary charts with my favorite, “Empty Me.”
Phil Stacey was another season six contestant. Both his grandfathers were pastors. He witnessed his father devote his life to ministry, pastoring churches in Kentucky, Ohio and Kansas. Phil recently signed to Christian label Reunion Records. The label places him in the company of Michael W. Smith and Casting Crowns.
Whether Gokey or Allen will join this group remains to be seen.
American Idol has always been about the vocals and performance. Both are exceptional. Danny has a very good timbre and range. I enjoy his style and can’t imagine his debut album being anything less than number one.
Vocally, I believe the third finalist, Adam Lambert, has the edge. His vocal range, transitions and performances are top rate.
However, is talent enough in such a polarized society?
As men of faith, do Gokey’s and Allen’s Christianity, or long-standing rumors of Adam Lambert’s homosexuality affect your vote?
Tags: Adam Lambert, Chris Sligh, Danny Gokey, George Huff, Kris Allen, Mandisa, Phil Stacey , Ruben Studdard, American Idol
Peter Elliott is a veteran news and sports journalist. He enjoys interviewing others about how God works in their lives and sharing that with readers. He is also a lifelong, long-suffering Chicago Cubs fan. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife and three sons.
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wvsheshe1 - May 13, 2009