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Kris Allen music biography continued...

Allen was interested in music from an early age, teaching himself guitar and learning the viola, which led him to land a spot in the Arkansas all-state orchestra when he was in high school. After high school, Allen moved to Conway, Arkansas to attend the University of Central Arkansas, where he was a business major, but he dropped out to pursue music professionally. In 2007, Allen wrote and self-produced an album entitled Brand New Shoes with college friends, but it didn't go very far. Allen auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky. He was selected to go to Hollywood, but in the early stages of the season, he was among the finalists that received the least amount of television air time. He even had to participate in an un-aired sing-off with another contestant before the judges allowed him to enter the semifinals round. Throughout the competition, Allen received many compliments for his folk-inspired interpretations of modern pop songs. He played several instruments during his performances, including the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar, the keyboard, and the piano. His performance of "To Make You Feel My Love" as part of the Top 11 earned praise from the judges, with Simon Cowell commenting, "I am genuinely beginning to think you have a shot of doing well in this competition."



Allen's good reviews continued into the Top 7, where his reworking of Donna Summers "She Works Hard for the Money" won high praise from the judges, as did his rendition of Kanye West's "Heartless" during Top 3 week. The latter performance prompted Randy Jackson to state that he preferred it to West's original and The Fray's cover version. Cowell agreed and said, "I had written you out of the competition but that has changed after that performance." Allen continued to wow viewers, and he outlasted Danny Gokey, whom many believed would make it to the Grande Finale. On the last performance show, Allen faced off against favorite Adam Lambert. The following night, stunning everyone, he was crowned American Idol champion, fulfilling a dream that had been years in the making.