Ben Vredevelt, Portland, Oregon
From Portland, Ben is a commercial music major at Belmont University in Nashville. He’s also served as lead vocalist and guitarist for a Christian rock metal band known as One True Meaning. In his Idol video, he tells us he’s inspired by U2 and Bon Jovi, and Kris Allen’s triumph in season eight was his favorite Idol moment. As for himself: “I have a very unique voice. I’m a great songwriter. And a really good musician.” Judge for yourself. Both of the songs below were performed in memory of his brother, Nathan, who died at age 16 in a car accident.
Singing “I Wanna Know” (you can also hear in on his MySpace)
Singing “Nathan’s Song”
Chase Likens Point Pleasant, W.Va.
This guy earned his golden ticket by performing Chris Young’s “Gettin’ You Home” and Clint Black’s “Nothin’ But the Taillight,” so I’m guessin’ he’s a country singer. Oh, and in a YouTube interview, he says the judges liked his name. He’s not short on confidence either. Why did he audition, Idol asked. “I believe my talents are just as good if not better than the contestants before me who have been on the show,” Chase says. Wish I could find some video of him singing to judge for myself. Help, anyone? Surprisingly, his favorite performer is Prince.
No videos
Colton Dixon, Murfeesboro, Tenn.
He says he traveled to the Nashville auditions to keep sister Schyler company, then decided he might as well auditon. Like the Malakars back in season six, they both got golden tickets. (Sorry for the analogy, but it was Colton’s hair that reminded me of Sanjaya.) Anyway, Colton graduated from the Middle Tennessee Christian School, sang “Hanging By a Moment” by Lifehouse for his audition and says the artists he admires include Skillet, Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin. He’s part of a Christian band called Messenger and says he plays piano “a lot differently than most people play piano. You’ll hopefully see that later. While Colton made it to Vega, his sister didn’t. You can go here to hear two Messenger songs: “Heartbeat” and “Lost.”
Singing “Lost” with Messenger
Singing with The Nashville Stars on group day
Daniel Pate, Auburndale, Fla.
Talk about perseverance. This 23-year-old tried out for Idol nine times in the past six years before getting his golden ticket to Hollywood. He also competed in the Tampa Bay Idol competition and was one of 10 finalists; I can’t find a record of who won. We saw a brief glimpse of Daniel during the Nashville audition episode, as one of a trio of males who impressed the judges. Daniel says Ray Charles is his favorite artist; Fantasia’s “Summertime” was his favorite Idol performance. So the following won’t surprise you. “I know there are a lot of white boys out there who claim to have soul. But I really do.”
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Gary Ellis, Clarksville, Tenn.
Gary says he’s been singing since 13, but waited a long time to try out for Idol. Let him explain: “This is my year of no regrets. I’m 28 years old. I’ve always wanted to audition for American Idol, but I was always afraid. I never thought I was up to par with the talent level that was out there.” He has a wide range of favorite performers, from James Brown to Elvis Presley and from John Legend to Rascal Flatts. I can’t confirm it with certainty, but I’d bet he’s the son of Gary Ellis Sr., pastor and founder of the Abundant Life Outreach Center in Clarksville. A bio describes Gary Ellis Jr. as a graduate of the Sound and Audio Engineering Institute and as being involved in the center’s music and drama ministry.
No videos
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