The Dove Awards and The American Idol Connection

The Gospel Music Association's annual Dove Awards are upon us, and it is interesting to note that four former contestants from "American Idol" are up for Dove Awards: this year Ruben Studdard from season 2, Mandisa from season 5, and Chris Sligh and Melinda Doolittle from season 6 have all been nominated for Doves. This has really piqued my interest in the connection between gospel music and "American Idol," so I have done a series of articles on different web sites looking at gospel artists who got their start on "American Idol."


The Dove Awards and The American Idol Factor
The Dove Awards are upon us, and this year four former contestants from "American Idol" have been nominated: Ruben Studdard from season 2, Mandisa from season 5, and Chris Sligh and Melinda Doolittle from season 6 have all been nominated for Dove Awards! This is not the first year where American Idol contestants have been evident. Last year, Phil Stacey, Mandisa and Chris Sligh performed at the Dove Awards tribute to Michael W. Smith with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. Several American Idol contestants have gone on to sign recording contracts with gospel music companies and to perform Christian music on national tours.

American Idol alumni who have recorded and performed gospel music as well as those current contestants who have ties to gospel music include: Ruben Studdard, George Huff, Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle, Stevie Scott, Nadia Turner, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Felicia Barton, Lil Rounds, etc., and Katelyn Tarver who was a finalist on the only season of American Idol Juniors in the early 2000s.

Gospel Artists and the American Idol Factor
As a fan of gospel music, I have been pleasantly surprised to discover that several American Idol contestants have gone on to sign recording contracts with gospel music companies and to perform Christian music on national tours: Ruben Studdard, RJ Helton, George Huff, Mandisa, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Jordin Sparks, Melinda Doolittle, Stevie Scott, Nadia Turner, Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Felicia Barton, Lil Rounds, etc., and Katelyn Tarver.

Gospel Artists from American Idol
American Idol (AI) is a popular television program which debuted on the FOX network on June 11, 2002, and has become one of the most successful shows on American television. American Idol's purpose is to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nationwide auditions. AI has produced many of today's top artists - many of them gospel artists.

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Gospel Artists on American Idol

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