Clark Beckham (born May 15, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He finished as the runner-up on the fourteenth season of ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

''.

Early life

Beckham was born in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

, but grew up in White House, Tennessee. He is an only child. He graduated from

Lee University Lee University is a Private university, private Church of God (Cleveland), Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee. It was founded in 1918 as the Church of God Bible Training School with twelve students and one teacher, Nora I. Chambers. Th ...

with a degree in history. Clark got most of his musical experience playing in church and on street corners. In a ''Christian Post'' interview Beckham noted that he originally wanted to audition for ''American Idol'' at 18 years old, when it came to Nashville, but said that it was not in line with God's will at the time.

Career

''American Idol''

Beckham auditioned for ''American Idol'' singing " It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" by

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

. He was the first contestant at the first city,

, to sing in front of the judges. He passed the audition by a split decision: approved by

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...

and Keith Urban, disapproved by Harry Connick Jr. During Hollywood week, he sang " Let's Get It On" and " Try a Little Tenderness". In the House of Blues showcase, he sang "

Georgia on My Mind "Georgia on My Mind" is a 1930 song written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, and first recorded that same year by Carmichael at the RCA Studios New York#24th St, RCA Victor Studios at 155 East 24th Street in New York City. The song has ...

", earning his spot in the Top 24. When asked what one moment stands out for him, Beckham said the time Connick Jr. said, "I don't think you could have done that any better"—after Beckham's performance of

Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris (; Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American and Ghanaian singer-songwriter, musician, and record producer. He is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th c ...

's "

Superstition A superstition is any belief or practice considered by non-practitioners to be irrational or supernatural, attributed to fate or magic (supernatural), magic, perceived supernatural influence, or fear of that which is unknown. It is commonly app ...

". "Harry's typically been tough on me," said Beckham. "He's like a coach trying to get the best out of me. And I really appreciate that."

Performances on ''American Idol''

Post-''Idol''

Beckham has been using his post-Idol expertise in the creation of a YouTube video channel about ''American Idol''. In May 2021, he appeared on the Talent Recap show to discuss the nineteenth season finale. Beckham will also appear in the upcoming film ''An Old Song.''

Discography

Albums

* 2013: ''Clark Beckham'' ( EP) * 2014: ''Songs About Her'' (EP) * 2015: ''Champion'' * 2015: ''American Idol Season 14: Best of Clark Beckham'' *2018: Year One (EP) *2020: Light Year

Accolades

References

External links

Clark Beckham
on ''

'' * 1992 births American Idol participants Living people Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee People from White House, Tennessee 21st-century American male singers 21st-century American singers {{US-singer-songwriter-stub