Idol Chatter & Voice Views

David Archulta, American Idol’s Season 7 runner-up, in the music video for From a Distance.

Former American Idol runner-up David Archuleta is featured in a timely new music video.

He performs a cover of Bette Midler’s smash hit “From a Distance” with the Rexburg Children’s Choir.

But the collaboration pre-dates the pandemic. In fact, the pandemic postponed its release.

Originally, plans called for the video to be filmed when David made a tour stop in Idaho in April, according to the East Idaho News.

The tour was canceled and the Rexburg Children’s Choir — based in eastern Idaho — shut down early for the season because of COVID-19.

Filming finally got underway in July, with the children’s choir performing in an open field in Idaho and David filming his part in Nashville.

“I believe this production was meant to be,” said Ben Watson, who founded the children’s choir two years ago. “The message is so relevant for today’s challenging circumstances. I hope that as people hear the beautiful music, it will bring a little more hope and gladness to their lives.”

David said he was happy to accept the invitation when the choir asked him to be a part of the project. Turns out, the choir’s associated director Sheree Fitzgerald Hastings was a friend of David’s mom.

“My mom used to sing this song when I was little,” David writes on social media. “I used to watch videos of her singing it over and over. It made me feel peace of mind and that I was part of a bigger picture.

“So the whole experience was nostalgic and brings it full circle for me.”

Oh, and heads up, fans of David. He’s scheduled his first virtual show for Friday, Aug. 21.