Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Another in a series of blogs featuring Hollywood-bound American Idol contestants. Keep checking back. More to come.

My favorite Luke James story is one he told during his Idol video interview last year.

Asked about his most memorable performance, he cited the time he opened for Danity Kane.

“My genre of music and their genre is incredibly different,” Luke said. “So I got a few cheers and a few ‘whats.’”

Luke was referred to as Luke Shaffer during Idol last year, but performs as Luke James. On MySpace, he classifies his music as acoustic / alternative / pop.

Listen to the music on that page, and you’ll discover he nicely fits the mold of the most recent Idol winners, Lee DeWyze and Kris Allen.

Perhaps not what a changin’ American Idol is looking for this year, but it’s what’s been successful in the past.

Jeez, there’s even a YouTube video of his playing the ol’ Idol favorite, “Hallelujah.” I’d say this guy is ready for Idol.

Luke resides in New York, is a 2008 graduate of Bowling Green University and is making at least his third attempt at Idol fame.

Two years ago, he failed to make Hollywood. Last year, he made Hollywood only to be cut before the semis. This year …

Well, in true Lee DeWyze fashion, he just released an independent CD, an EP named “Fresh.” The title track is among the songs you’ll find on his MySpace.

Or you can check out these videos of Luke …

Singing “Fresh”

And doing his own version of  “California Girls”

And doing an Idol favorite, “Hallelujah”