IdolPhenomena

Overall Sharon Wilbur’s album Mercy Calling is a considerable growth from her EP You’re My Heart. It’s an incredible blend of Middle Eastern beats and Pop that together have given way to a catchy messianic worship sound that any believer will find catchy. Each song flows right into the other which gives the album a sense of wholeness. The three bonus tracks on the re-released album give the album a new sense of flavor; especially with the upbeat Aviad Cohan REMIX of Mercy Calling. Just like on her EP released in 2008 Out of Zion has always been one of my favorite tracks. It’s only ever so often that a worship style of music catches my eye. However, Sharon Wilbur’s sound and that of several other past Idol hopefuls such as Kurtis Parks and Jason Rich have become part of my iTunes library. I Will Save You is reminiscent of a pop ballad and by far my other favorite track on Wilbur’s album besides the albums catchy title track Mercy Calling. For any Idol fan Mercy Calling is definitely an album you should look into. And for anyone that likes a fresh new sound that is both memorable and uplifting Sharon Wilbur’s Mercy Calling is totally the album for you. But most of all this album showcases who Sharon is an artist and I look forward to see what she has in store for her fans in the future. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be just as incredible as this album. Great work Sharon :-)!!!

Check The Link Below To Get Your Copy

http://www.sharonwilbur.com/fr_home.cfm

I will be doing an IdolSpotlight for none other than Sharon Wilbur with my thoughts on her re-release of Mercy Calling. Stay tuned and I hope you all come back to check out my review :-) Thanks.

Check out Jackie singing a cover of Trixie Whitley's Rather Go Blind.

Today's first IdolBirthday takes us back to American Idol Season 1. This is where we first met Akelee Relliford. If we can all remember that far back she was one of the Top 45 Contestants of American Idol's first season. Since then this singer and her soultry voice have been singing with a girl group called Melrose back in 2008. You can check out Melrose's Music MySpace. You can follow Akelee of Twitter @Akelee. Happy Birthday!!!

Our next IdolBirthday takes north to Canada where we met Theo Tams in Canadian Idol's 6th Season. Theo's debut album released back in 2009 and he has another one not far behind with a tentative release sometime next year. Today we wish Theo a Happy 25th Birthday. You can check out his Official Site and Music MySpace. And for the Twitter inclined follow him @theotamsmusic.

Check out Melissa Bitanga's cover of SWV's Weak.

6/30 Fantasia Barrino 1984

We were first introduced to Fantasia Barrino back in 2004 as she rose to fame as the third winner of American Idol. She accomplished so much since her Idol Journey. She has been on Broadway and has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards. And after playing the part of Celie in the Broadway musical The Color Purple, she is cast to be in the film adaptation of the movie. There is so much more to come from this artist. Follow all things Fantasia on her Official Site [http://www.fantasiaofficial.com/] or for the Twitter inclined @tasiasword.

7/1 Kaylan Loyd 1992

Kaylan comes from a long line of family musicians. At the age of two her parents began to discover her love for music as well. With influeces such as: Martina Mcbride, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Christina Aguleira, her Parents and many more, she began to practice day and night. When she turned 8 she sang for her first "Big" audience, singing the National Anthem at The Walk of America (March of Dimes) in downtown Nashville. They have asked her back every year since that day. When she turned 10 she got her first Violin/Fiddle, shortly after the purchase, playing by ear, she taught herself how to play it. 2 years later, at 12, she sang on Talent Search T.V. at Opry Mills Mall in Nashville, taking First place. At 14 Kaylan got her first guitar for Christmas(2006), a few hours later she went upstairs and played her family "Leave the Peices" by The Wreckers. At 15 Kaylan entered a school competition "Patriot Idol", she took First place. Also at 15 she sang the National Anthem for a Nashville Sounds baseball game. On her "Sweet 16" birthday, she performed at "Jonesborough Days" in East Nashville, and the same night, sang at the "Cranberry Thistle", on the square. At 16, with even more experience and exposure, she has become an aspiring Singer/Songwriter, with daring dreams she can't wait to pursue. Her musical dreams brought her all the way to Hollywood in the 8^th Season of American Idol. Check out Kaylan at her Music MySpace [http://www.myspace.com/kaylanloyd09]

7/1 Janelle Bechdoll

Is a 2006 SUNY Albany Grad that auditioned for American Idol’s 7^th Season. Check out this site that documents her Idol journey. [http://www.stevegold.com/Family/Janelle/]

7/1 Aleksandr Panayotov 1984

Aleksandr is a Russian Pop-Artist/Song Writer. Check out his Official Site [http://www.panaiotov.ru/] or his Music MySpace [http://www.myspace.com/aleksandrpanayotov ]He came in second to Aleksey Goman in Narodniy Artist Season 1 which is the Russian equivalent of American Idol.

7/3 Kimberly Kelsey

Featured on American Idol’s Second Season she sang It’s All Coming Back by Celine Dione.

7/4 Gina Glocksen-Ruzicka 1984

Gina came in 9^Th Place in American Idol’s 6^th Season she was also featured as a Hollywood contestant in Season 5. Check out her Official Site [http://www.rocktheglock.com/1_1/home/]

7/5 AJ Gil

AJ Gil was featured in American Idol’s first season. Check out his Music MySpace [http://www.myspace.com/ajgil]

7/9 Austin Jonathon Sisneros

Featured on American Idol Season 8 as a Hollywood Contestant.

7/9 Sundance Head

Check out his Official Site [http://www.sundancehead.net/]

Check out Jesse McCullagh and Jim Lesuer aka Gentlemen Outfit.....

Check out Michael Castro's performance of Home @ Cafe 939 in Boston.

Today IdolPhenomena is wishing a Happy Belated Birthday to several previous Idol contenders. In American Idol's 5th Season Kellie came in 6th Place. Since her Idol experience she has released two albums and Co-written songs with recording artist Taylor Swift. For 2009 and 2010 she has been nominated for CMT's female video of the year while back in 2008 she was nominated and won for Breakthrough Video of the Year for her video of I Wonder. You can check out her Official Site and follow her on Twitter @kelliepickler. So we wish Kellie a Happy 24th Birthday!!!