Idol’s Finalist

Background:

“Be sure of yourself. Know who you are and no matter if you make it, you know in your heart you are still a star.” George Huff

A Soul and Gospel music star, George Huff first came to prominence as the fifth-place finalist on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series “American Idol.” Thanks to his deep baritone voice and his catching smile, Huff became one of the more well-liked contestants and won over a legion of fans. Signed by Word Records, the singer has released My Christmas EP (2004) and Miracles (2005).

A resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, Huff left his hometown in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city. He stayed at his brother’s home in Dallas.


Louisiana’s Son

Childhood and Family:

On November 4, 1980, George Clayton Huff Jr., who would later be prominent as George Huff, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Growing up in a family with strong musical background, the boy knew that he wanted to become a performer when he was 5. Shortly thereafter, he found himself performing at churches in the state of Louisiana and was involved in a number of school choirs. George spent three years honing his musical talents at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK.


Miracles

Career:

Louisiana native George Huff was working as a dishwasher and fry cook at a local restaurant before auditioning for the third season of American Idol in Houston, Texas. A member of the fourth group semifinalists, Huff initially did not qualified for the round of 32 semi-finalists, but was put through when original semi-finalist Donnie Williams was sent home after an arrest for drunken driving.

Huff was not selected through to the final round from his semifinalists’ group, but earned another second chance when he was brought back to the competition for the wildcard round and exposed to as a finalist by contest judge Simon Cowell. On May 5, 2004, Huff was voted off in fifth place after two renditions of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” and Fred Astaire’s “Cheek to Cheek” during big band week.

Once he left the competition, Huff surprised many when he signed a contract with Word Records, a Gospel and Contemporary Christian label, and in November 9, 2004, he had his first release called My Christmas EP. Huff’s next album, Miracles, was released on October 11, 2005. The album spawned the single “Brighter Day” and sold a mere 18,000 copies.


Awards:
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