Melinda's new Christmas single: God Bless Us Everyone!

Melinda makes it onto Season 6 of American Idol

It was hard to believe when I found out my high school friend Melinda Doolittle auditioned for American Idol's Sixth Season this year! She was a part of my lunch group when I was a senior, but I only got to hang out with her for a year because she was a sophomore, new to our group (our high school only had sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and then I graduated. But I had some great times with her during that year.

I can attest that Melinda really is a sweetie and has no pretention about her. She liked to sing back then, but I didn't know she would go on to make it a career like this! (After graduating from Union, she went on to get her degree in Commercial Music at Belmont University in Nashville, and has been singing BGV ever since--until now!)

She made it through the Top 3 Finals--Way to go Melinda!! I am so proud of you! Best wishes for your continued music career!

Melinda wishes everyone a Merry Christmas!

Melinda's First Album, "Coming Back to You," Releases February 3rd!

Check out her album samples here.

Go to Melinda's new website to keep up with her recent developments.

Melinda Kicks Off the "Rock the Vote" Tour

Rock the Vote kicks off Road Trip in Nashville with Melinda Doolittle, others

STAFF

Youth-focused voter registration/education organization Rock the Vote takes its agenda on the road this month with "The Road Trip '08," which kicks off here in Nashville on Saturday, Sept. 13 with American Idol alum Melinda Doolittle, at Belmont University.

Doolittle will be joined by a group of other local musicians to be announced, along with, RTV's press folks say, "guest speakers from the areas of politics, sports, film and TV to spread the word."

That word is the importance of registering to vote, and to that end, the organization will bring along a Road Trip tour bus stocked with computer kiosks that'll offer attendees the chance to register and learn about the election. The bus' colorful design came via artist Shepard Fairey, whose “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” campaign earned its share of youthful fans.

More information (and downloadable voter registration forms, among other bits of election info) can be found on Rock the Vote's website, www.rockthevote.com.

Full Road Trip '08 city itinerary:
September 13 - Nashville, TN
September 15 – Blacksburg, VA
September 16 – Richmond, VA
September 18 & 19 - Philadelphia, PA
September 20 – State College, PA
September 21 - Pittsburgh, PA
September 24 - Akron, OH
September 25 - Cleveland, OH
September 26 - Kent, OH
September 27 - Columbus, OH
September 28 - Cincinnati, OH
September 30 - Bloomington, IN
October 2 - St. Louis, MO
October 4 – Iowa City, IA
October 6 - Minneapolis, MN

Melinda Appears on the "Billy: The Early Years" Soundtrack with Michael W. Smith

According to the Belmont Alumni news page, Melinda is one of the various artists featured on the soundtrack for the upcoming Billy Graham biopic, called "Billy: The Early Years." You can purchase it here, to be released October 7th.

August 26, 2008

Alumni Featured on Billy Graham Movie Soundtrack

According to Beverly Keel's column in Tuesday's Tennessean, three Belmont alumni will be featured on a soundtrack inspired by the upcoming film Billy: The Early Years, an Oct. 10 movie release that chronicles the life of Rev. Billy Graham. The soundtrack, which releases Oct. 7, includes the song "Almost Persuaded" by Josh Turner as well as a track by Brad Paisley. Alumna and "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle also offers a duet with Michael W. Smith on the Craig Wiseman tune "Amazing Love."

The Billy Graham movie premieres on October 1oth. See the trailer below.

Melinda Sings on Today Show Wedding

If you followed the wedding of Darnell and LaDonna Suggs' wedding on The Today Show, you'll be familiar with Melinda's singing at their wedding. Not only was she a surprise guest, she is also cousin to LaDonna, an additional impact to the surprise. Here are Melinda's performances:

"Never Felt This Way"



"Love You I Do"

Happy Valentine's Day from Melinda!

With her new single, "My Funny Valentine"

Melinda (and Chris) sponsors Edy's Slow Churned Idol Ice Cream

Sampling A Scoop Of Hollywood Fun

(NAPSI)-If you watch reality TV, you know that Americans love to pick a winner--and now there's a chance to choose from five delicious new contestants.

That's because a favorite brand of light ice cream has introduced its second-season lineup of "American Idol" light ice cream flavors. Ice cream lovers can sample this year's hopefuls and cast a vote for their favorite flavor--offering a scoop of Hollywood fun for the entire family.

These Dreyer's/Edy's Slow Churned light ice cream flavors will have a sweet opportunity to shine in the spotlight while dishing up their individual personalities:

Cheesecake Diva: This delightful diva may catch your eye with its creamy, luxurious cheesecake light ice cream that commands the spotlight with decadent brownie bites and an entourage of fudge swirls.

Cookies 'n Dreamz: The stuff that dreamz are made of--down-home chocolate light ice cream filled with crunchy pieces of chocolate cookie.

Mint Karaoke Cookie: Who's that dreamboat on stage? Here's an undiscovered star who's ready for prime time: a cool-headed mint light ice cream with a crescendo of chocolate cookies.

Most Orange-inal: This mix-master performs with genuine freshness and flair. Creamy vanilla light ice cream blended with swirls of refreshing orange sorbet creates a sensational new beat.

One Split Wonder: Flash in the carton or here to stay? This flavor hits the stage with rich banana light ice cream swirling with fruit and gooey fudge.

Ice cream lovers and "Idol" fanatics can cast votes for their favorite flavors at Slowchurned.com until May 31. The winning flavor will earn a permanent spot in the Slow Churned light ice cream lineup. Fans who cast a vote before April 29, 2008 will be entered for a chance to win a trip to the "American Idol" finale and other cool prizes.

To celebrate the new flavors, the show's Season Six finalists Melinda Doolittle and Chris Richardson will be hitting the road on a 20-city U.S. tour, performing and meeting fans.

To locate stores that carry the new flavors, visit Dreyer's/Edy's Flavor Finder at Slowchurned.com. But hurry, because these popular flavors may disappear faster than the Idols voted off last week.

"American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle wants you to vote. Is it luxurious Cheesecake Diva or dreamy Mint Karaoke Cookie?

Melinda Tours on Michael W. Smith's Christmas Tour 2007

American Idol Finalist to Tour With Michael W. Smith

09/02/07

American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle will be hitting the road this winter with Michael W Smith and The Katinas for the ‘It’s A Wonderful Christmas’ tour.

Doolittle is most recently known for her impressive performances on this year’s American Idol competition.

The tour, which kicks off 29 November and wraps up 22 December, will feature songs from Smith’s third Christmas release and twentieth album, It’s A Wonderful Christmas. The album debuts 16 October.

Smith recorded the album in London's famous Abbey Road Studios in May with a 67-piece symphony before the music was arranged by David Hamilton. He says the music is "epic, symphonic and cinematic".

Smith originally intended to record a classic Christmas album, but when he got into the studio, he was allegedly struck with a ‘rush of inspiration’ and wrote several pieces of original music.

The album will feature three choirs, one being The Choristers of Reigate St Mary's, a London based boy’s choir directed by John Tobin and featuring 16 members in ages ranging from eight to 12 years.

VIEW THE TOUR DATES NOW!

SAMPLE "IT'S A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS" NOW!

See one of Melinda's performances below:

Melinda Doolittle comes to DC!

Melinda Sings "God Bless America" with Jordin and Blake at Macy's 4th of July Celebration

Melinda hits the morning show circuit

The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet


Good Morning New York


Regis & Kelly


Entertainment Weekly


Fox 5 News

Melinda's American Idol Complete Performance Video Anthology

Watch a complete compilation of all of her performances and interviews together below:

Melinda Performs with the Winans during the Finale

Melinda sings "Hold up the Light" with Bebe and Cece Winans, the gospel sibling duo for whom she used to sing backup, now singing lead with them.

Melinda is not voted into the Finale - Finishes Third

Melinda's Top 3 Performances - Various Choice Week

5/15/07: Melinda performs 3 songs:

Judge's Choice (Randy Jackson): "I Believe in You and Me" by Whitney Houston

Producer's Choice: "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike and Tina Turner

Contestant's Choice: "I'm a Woman" by Peggy Lee

5/16/07: Melinda is voted off of American Idol - does not advance to the Finale

Melinda's Top 4 Finalist Interview

Melinda's Top 4 Performances - Barry Gibb/BeeGees Week

5/8/07: Melinda sings "Love You Inside Out" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by the BeeGee's for Barry Gibb/Disco Week

5/9/07: Voted into the Top 3 Finals

Melinda goes back for a home visit

Melinda gets to go back home to Brentwood/Nashville, TN to her alma mater, Belmont University, among other stops.