Kris Allen
with special guest Chris Nathan
| DATE(S): | Thursday September 2, 2010; 8:00 pm |
| COST: | $25 |
| TYPE: | Rock |
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Though not an avid television viewer – Kris and his wife Katy don’t own a TV – Kris did see the Season 6 episodes of “American Idol” when his friend Sean Michel won praise from the judges during his audition. “It was great to see someone from Arkansas make it to Hollywood.” Living with his parents during season 7, Kris became hooked on “Idol.” In July 2008, Kris’ brother Daniel decided to audition in Louisville, Kentucky, and asked Kris and a friend to go with him. “I didn’t have anything else to do so I was down with that,” says Kris. “We arrived and there were 12,000 people standing there and we were the last ones to sign up. It was intimidating.”
Kris and Daniel survived the first round of judging but only Kris made it into see Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara. Randy was the first to say yes, followed by Simon, then Paula and Kara. Kris and Katy were married that same month and after the honeymoon flew to Hollywood. “I was just hoping to get a little TV time so someone would recognize me and I could start a music career,” says Kris.
Kris made it from Hollywood week to the top 36 to the top 12 and survived elimination week after week, heading into the finale with Adam Lambert. When Ryan Seacrest read the name of the winner, after a long pause he said. “Kris Allen.”
Kris’ path to victory included memorable performances of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and Kanye West’s “Heartless.” Kris was praised by the judges for his original arrangements of such well-known songs. “What I do is completely forget about the original version and ask myself how I can play the song when it comes to phrasing, chord structure and emotion. I hear what it’s going to sound like in my head and run with it. Hopefully it’s a way that no one has ever thought of doing it before.”
Since the finale, Kris has had multiple songs appear on the Billboard charts. “That was crazy!” he exclaims. “Four months before that we were all unknown. That first moment I knew I had five songs on the Billboard chart was very cool.” At the same time, his finale song “No Boundaries” was No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Kris found out when a friend sent him a text message. “I had no idea. That was crazy, too!”
It’s been an incredible journey for the 24-year-old who came very close to giving up on having a music career. “I was going to return to college and get a decent job so my wife and I could have a comfortable life together, which would have been fine. But things worked out a different way, and I’m really happy!””
Kris is currently on tour promoting his self-titled debut album released on 19 Recordings/Jive Records. His first single “Live Like We’re Dying” has sold over 1.5 million to date. His second single “The Truth” ft. Pat Monahan of Train, is currently climbing the charts as it hits the airwaves.
Chris Nathan will be opening the show with his soulful, laidback guitar playing. As a Nashville native, his deep rock and roll and country roots are evident through tracks like Sugarcane.
More Information:
http://www.krisallenofficial.com/us/home http://www.myspace.com/chrisnathanmusic
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