Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Dillon James of Bakersfield, Calif., auditioned for Season 18 of American Idol

Among the singers who have announced they auditioned is Dillon James.

Here’s more about Dillon.

* He’s a singer-songwriter from Bakersfield, Calif.

* Back in 2012, he won a songwriting competition in New York hosted by the International Modeling and Talent Association.

* The next year, he responded to a casting call for the role of a 16-year-old country singer to appear in a Dolly Parton movie. He said he auditioned, went home, never dreaming he’d get the spot.

* But he did, wound up at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., filming alongside Dolly in what would become a 2013 Lifetime Movie “A Country Christmas.” At the time, he called it “the most fun I’ve ever had.”

* Dillon has since branched out beyond country music. He released his first original music, a six-track EP called “Good Ole Boy” in January 2019 as an alternative project.

* On Facebook, he says he’s preparing to release a second EP soon. You can check out one of his impressive new songs, “Tierra Dulce (Sweet Earth),” inspired by his grandparents ranch, on that page. I’ve embedded another, “Long Ride Home,” below. Dillon says that song was ridden about his drive home from a best friend’s funeral.

* As for that Idol audition, Dillon says “I went totally out of my comfort zone to try something new! Remember, we can always push our limits and to not be held back by our fears, but to be different and be you.”

* And he writes this about his music on his website: “I play the guitar and write songs about the trials and tribulations of my life. Each one of my songs are true to my heart and I try my best to describe what I’ve experienced so far in this journey called life.”

Keep checking back. Lots more Season 18 profiles to come.

Dillon on social media:
Website
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
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