Like so many others, I used to be obsessed with American
Idol. Each week I would be on the edge
of my seat waiting to see who made it through.
I was invested in the contestants and their stories. It was probably my favorite show. However, my obsession ended after Season
Six. Melinda Doolittle was voted
off. I. Was. Done. I remember screaming at the TV “What???!!”
and then crying. Yes, crying. It seems a little crazy now, but I, along
with the judges and millions of Americans, fell in love with the soulful singer
from Nashville. She was phenomenal and
no doubt deserving of the title of American Idol. I’m not saying Jordin Sparks wasn’t
incredibly talented as well, but Melinda was and will always be in my mind
number one. Six years later, I have finally
had the honor of meeting Melinda. I saw
her at the Taste of Williamson, and without hesitation, I introduced myself. As I expected, she was absolutely
delightful. She is such a kind and
genuine person and was happy to meet with me for this story. 
I was able to join her in the studio during her Friday
ritual of recording the online show IDOLOGY, where she and TV Lines’ Michael
Slezak recap each weeks episode of Idol, giving their opinions on performances,
who should stay, who should go, etc. The
show is a must see for Idol watchers.
Melinda is made to be in front of the camera with her captivating smile
and lively personality. I asked her if
she is ever mean because I can’t even imagine that she can be! She says that she is honest and tries to be
nice but constructive. The Idols watch
the show every week and very often take Melinda’s advice.
When she’s not recording the show, Melinda is still hard at
work on her music career. She is so
excited about the record she is currently working on. She has put together what she calls her
“A-Team”, including writer Jim Weatherly (“Midnight Train to Georgia”) and
producer Tre’ Corley. She said, “Tre’
can produce the living daylights out of a song and make me love the entire
thing.” She loves working with Tre’
because he can take her “old school” vibe and combine it with the current
sound. Melinda sang a song for me that will be on the album. She said that other than me, she has only let
her momma listen to it. The song is
called “Give”, and it is beautiful. When
it is released, it will definitely “give” you chills. It is about giving to others, and its sales
will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Melinda is also part of a compilation album
featuring several artists, such as Amy Grant, Vince Gill and Alison Krauss,
which will have songs written by patients of the Children’s Hospital and will
benefit it, as well. The album will be
released on May 15th.
Melinda has been a Williamson County resident for several
years. She moved here after graduating
from Belmont University. She said she
loves that Williamson County has the country and the city, and it is the best
place to come home to after being on the road.
Our hometown girl’s voice is absolutely on the level of music divas such
as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. However, she does not have one ounce of any
negative connotations that the name diva sometimes entails. She is an authentic beauty on the inside and
out. Whatever she does, she will always
have my vote!
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