Mormon Pop: American Idol

By Quint Randle
LDS Newsline blogger
Published: Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 12:37 a.m. MST
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There are a few LDS singers who are going to Hollywood this season on American Idol. We all remember Carmen Rasmusen and Jon Peter Lewis from past seasons (among a few other almost-finalists). Both Carmen and Jon are gigging regularly and have recently released new albums. (I’ve seen Carmen showcase in Nashville and perform locally, and I believe she’s got the goods for The Big Time).

For the new season, Southern Californian Brooke White got the thumbs up from all three judges after her “I’ve-never-seen-an-R-rated movie” audition in Pennsylvania (the song was “Like A Star”). Watch the clip here.

What makes me wonder how far Brooke has risen in the already-in-progress season is that her former web site is no longer up. A friend of mine is in Brooke’s ward, and he’s been telling me how great she is for several years now. So I check in on her web site from time to time. But now the web site is “under construction.” It might just be a coincidence, but it could indicate that she is “under contract” with the show’s producers — or least wanting to spruce up her web site for the increased traffic she’ll be getting.

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The other LDS contestant who got the thumbs up from all three judges is 16-year-old David Archuleta from Salt Lake City, who auditioned in San Diego.

Local arranger/songwriter Richard Parkinson has been working with David for a couple years. Here they are doing Oh Holy Night. Parkinson says, “I met his dad in a Sam's Club in Murray — no kidding — and immediately began to put together a few Christmas songs for his performances in 2005. I was totally blown away. I really could not believe he was this good. But he is, and I took every opportunity to just be around his amazing talent. Besides that, I believe he is a better person than he is a singer, if you can believe that!”

Both of these singers can SING! So stay tuned. We’ll see how far they rise.

QUICK NOTES: Colorado-based singer Allyse Smith’s debut CD, “Come Thou Fount,” is a peaceful collection of hymns and standards (with pianist Marvin Goldstein). Meanwhile, artist/engineer Clayton Pixton of Kansas City takes a totally different approach with “Hymns Anew”, even though both artists cover “Come Thou Fount.” Pixton’s 12-song collection offers up acoustic/vocal style arrangements. Instruments include piano, guitar, tin whistle, and of course lots of neat vocals, says Pixton on his web site. Both albums are definitely worth checking out.

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Recent comments

Oh...and it's still extremely funny that there are people out...

NZLDS | June 13, 2008 at 6:32 p.m.

It is good to see any one (of any religious persuasion or not) succeed...

NZLDS | June 13, 2008 at 6:24 p.m.

that's the dumbest thing I've ever hear. "Mormons are...

Lindsey | April 23, 2008 at 9:36 p.m.