LARGO – Leave it to Simon Cowell to pack a church with a gospel singer. George Huff, a finalist in season three of FOX’s American Idol, was chosen by the curt judge as one of the show’s best 12. He eventually lost out to fellow contestant Jasmine Trias. Eventually, Fantasia Barrino won the title.
Huff, whose hometown is New Orleans, will play at Christ Presbyterian Church Sunday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m.
The 26-year-old Gospel singer was picked by music director Bob Voegeli who was working some contacts from Nashville as part of his plans to expand the church’s concert series.
“We wanted to take it to the next level,” said Voegeli of the concert series titled “May Voices, One Spirit.”
Working the contemporary Christian music circuit now, Huff’s style is inspired by rhythm and blues and gospel.
His childhood in Louisiana, where his mother raised him and his siblings, was marked by poverty.
In 2004, “Huff was washing dishes and frying omelets in the back room of the cafeteria at the University of Oklahoma” to help pay off student loans for his degree in music, according to his official biography from his booking agency, William Morris.
He auditioned for the show’s producers in Houston.
As for what he’ll play in Largo, Voegili isn’t exactly sure. A press release said he likes Christmas music.
“My Christmas EP,” his first release, “includes songs like “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” was followed up the next year with “Miracles” in 2005.
Huff’s appearance is part of the church’s outreach into the community.
The church wants to reach into the community, said the church’s pastor, the Rev. James S. Welch and spread the message of Jesus.
Another well-known singer coming is Sherrill Nielsen, whose band, Voice, opened for Elvis Presley with a gospel spiritual “In My Father’s House.”
Harpist Taylor Mills will play on Nov. 26 for the church’s annual Hanging on the Greens Service, a service that opens for the Advent season.
Ticket prices for the Huff concert are $15 for advance purchases; $12 for groups of 10 or more; $17 at the church on the day of the show.
The church is at 3115 Dryer Ave. For a complete listing of the concert series, visit www.christpc.com or call 584-8659.
