'American Idol's' Huff Showcases Christmas CD

CBN.com Born to Sing

George was born into a family of singers in New Orleans, Louisiana. He sang his first solo when he was 5 years old. George grew up in public housing in a city where jazz music was birthed (Iberville, once known as Storyville), but his musical influences were Stevie Wonder and gospel music. He sang in assemblies in elementary school, and then at the age of 13, he joined a church choir. The choir took him to churches throughout Louisiana, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and even Norway. His choir director once said that George “rocked the gospel tent.”

In high school, George won a scholarship to the University of Oklahoma and spent three years studying to become a teacher. However, he ran out of money and dropped his course load to work so that he could afford to continue his studies. George took a job as a cook at the university’s cafeteria and formed a gospel choir so that he could keep singing.

A friend suggested that George audition for American Idol, so he went to Houston for his first audition. The judges were impressed with George and he was on his way to Hollywood. He failed to make the semi-finals when the pool of contestants was trimmed to 32, but then he was called back after one contestant was dropped from the show.

George endured a rigorous schedule of interviews and crash-course song rehearsals. George, who suffers from asthma, developed vocal problems that strained his voice during the heavy workout, but he still wowed audiences with his great soul voice and amazing performances. George was the last man standing as one of five final contestants. (Fantasia Barrino was this year’s winner.) Unfortunately, after he performed “Cheek to Cheek,” George was eliminated from the contest. However, he was still able to live like an “idol” as he and the other Top 12 finalists put on a world concert tour that took them through the U.S., Europe, and Asia from July through October 2004.

Shining Through

George, now 24, was always bold about his faith. “I can’t deny what’s in me,” says George. “I grew up in church all my life …. There’s no hiding it. Fans saw it anyway.” Every song he sang on the show was an old-time song. People commented to him that they could see the light of God shining through him. He says church has always been a huge part of his family, and church is where he got most of his musical foundation.

In August of this year, George signed with Warner Brothers and is planning to release a multi-format album in 2005 that will feature pop, soul, and inspirational music. In the meantime, George recorded a five-song collection with Word Records entitled My Christmas EP! He decided to do an inspirational album because, says George, “There’s a lot going on in the world where we need some goodness and some encouragement.” The five-song Christmas collection shares the Christmas spirit that George believes emphasizes the holiday’s true meaning.

George says he would like to be wealthy one day to build homeless shelters around the world. “I would like to make a difference in the world through music.”