Church Singers Comprise Majority of Idol Finalists

Scottsdale native Scott MacIntyre survived another week on American Idol to join the top 10 who will tour together this summer. He is one of six church-going singers in that competitive group this year, according to an Associated Press story on the talented crop of competitors.

Those finalists include Scott, Kris Allen, Danny Gokey, Michael Sarver, Matt Giraud (who released two indie Christian music CDs) and Lil Rounds. Danny Gokey, a widower and music director at a Michigan-based Faith Builders International, is the most high profile of them. Surely one of the six will pursue a career that at least includes Christian pop music, which has had many crossover artists in recent years. (Photo of Danny Gokey from AmericanIdol.com.)

Joanne Brokaw, who writes the Gospel Soundcheck blog for Beliefnet.com, cited four reasons for why Christians are doing so well on the show, including the fact that churches have traditionally been the "training ground" for professional singers. That makes sense, given the 10,000-hour rule for perfecting any activity, cited in the bestseller Outliers.

Whatever the reason, their spirit of sincerity makes them likeable, as well as capable of expressing emotions in a way that shines through in their songs.