"American Idol" Winner Almost Threw Away Dreams

After winning the eighth season of the popular television show, “American Idol,” Kris Allen, pop/rock singer, has finalized a record deal with 19 Recordings/Jive Records according to Billboard.

Allen is originally from Conway, Arkansas. He self-released an album in 2007 entitled Brand New Shoes and a new album will be released sometime this fall. Since his youth, Allen has always had an interest in music and was primarily influenced by the Beatles, Jason, Mraz, John Mayer and Michael Jackson. Before American Idol, the songwriter/singer was planning on giving-up his musical career in order to get a “real” job by finishing a degree in business at the University of Central Arkansas.

Now, the Idol Star’s single “No Boundaries” has placed number four on the Hot 100 and songs he performed on the show have made number 50 on the Billboard 200.

-Sarah Saltzman

Currently listening to: The Cubists “Redux” from Mechanical Advantage

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