LaKisha Jones
Lakisha Jones (right) performing with Melinda Doolittle during the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2007
Background information
Birth name	LaKisha Ann Jones
Born	January 13, 1980 (1980-01-13) (age 28) Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Genre(s)	Gospel, Soul, R&B, Pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	2007-Present

LaKisha Ann Jones^[1] (born January 13, 1980) is an American singer. She placed fourth on the sixth season of American Idol. Melinda Marie Doolittle (born on October 6, 1977) is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. ... American Idols Live! Tour 2007 is a summer concert tour in the United States featuring the top 10 contestants of the sixth season of American Idol, which aired in 2007. ... is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Nickname: Location of Flint within Genesee County, Michigan. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company on January 16, 2007 and ran until May 23, 2007. ... American Idol is an American reality-competition show airing on Fox. ...

Biography

Personal life

Jones was born at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy. She was raised by her grandmother, Ruth Jefferson Morris. Nickname: Location of Flint within Genesee County, Michigan. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

An only child, Jones is a Baptist who began singing at the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church at age five.^[1] She was formally trained in classical music,^{[citation needed]} although her favorite genre is gospel music.^{[citation needed]} Jones always dreamed of becoming a singer. An only child is a child with no siblings, either biological or adopted. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Baptist is... This article is about Western art music from 1000 AD to the present. ... Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as (in terms of the varying music styles) to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. ...

She was home schooled in Flint, then attended Flint Central High School (now Flint Central Commencement Academy), where, in one of her earliest performances, she appeared in a play called Lead Poisoning. While in high school, Jones performed with one of the groups in the choral department: the Madrigal Singers. Jones graduated in 1998 and attended the University of Michigan-Flint, majoring in music. During college, she performed in the play Godspell. Jones stated in her Idol interview that Flint, Michigan was her home for the first 20 years of her life, and although she had briefly moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, she is now a Flint resident again. She is a single mother with a four year old girl who encouraged her to try out. Homeschooling (also called home education) is the education of children at home and in the community, in contrast to education in an institution such as a public or parochial school. ... Flint Central High School, located in Flint, Michigan, USA, is the citys oldest school. ... The University of Michigan-Flint, located in Flint, Michigan, USA, is one of three campuses in the University of Michigan system. ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... Godspell is a 1970 play by John-Michael Tebelak. ... Fort Meade is a census-designated place located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N...

Jones moved to Houston, Texas, where she lived for six years. One of her earliest jobs in Houston was that of a secretary at Abundant Life Cathedral, a church with 7,000 parishioners. Prior to working at the church, Jones sang in the 70-member choir. The choir has produced well-known gospel singer Yolanda Adams, among others. In 2006 , Jones moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, in order to be closer to her cousins and other relatives. At that time, Jones obtained a job as a bank teller at Provident Bank in Millersville, Maryland, which she gave up when she moved to Hollywood to compete in American Idol. Houston redirects here. ... For other uses, see Texas (disambiguation). ... Yolanda Yvette Adams (born August 27, 1961 in Houston, Texas) is a Grammy Award-winnning American singer. ... Fort Meade is a census-designated place located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. ... Millersville is a city in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. ... American Idol is an American reality-competition show airing on Fox. ...

Jones was the 1997 winner of Flint's now defunct supershow, and while living in Houston, she took second place in the 2005 Gimme the Mic competition. Houston redirects here. ...

American Idol

American Idol performances

Audition

Jones auditioned singing "Think" by Aretha Franklin. The judges were impressed with her powerful vocal and performance, and Simon noted that he "loved this girl". Jones was shown emotionally embracing her daughter after being sent into the next round. In her farewell montage on the episode of her elimination it was shown that she also sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" during her audition. She also performed Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back To Me" during one of the Hollywood audition rounds. Think is the name of a hit single released by American R&B/soul musician Aretha Franklin in 1968, from her Aretha Now album. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ...

American Idol performances

And I Am Telling You Im Not Going is a song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. ... Jennifer Holliday (born Jennifer-Yvette Holliday on October 19, 1960 in Riverside, Texas) is an American singer and actress. ... Midnight Train to Georgia is a 1973 number-one hit single by Gladys Knight & the Pips, their first release after departing Motown Records for Buddah Records. ... The Pips redirects here. ... I Have Nothing is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and is the third single released from the The Bodyguard soundtrack album. ... Whitney Elizabeth Houston (born August 9, 1963) is a six-time Grammy award winning, American R&B singer, soprano, pianist, actress, film producer, and former model. ... For the author-illustrator, see Diana Ross (author). ... For other uses, see God Bless the Child (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see British Invasion (disambiguation). ... Diamonds Are Forever is the soundtrack for the 7th James Bond film of the same name. ... Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey, DBE, CBE (born January 8, 1937 in Cardiff, Wales), is a Welsh singer. ... For other uses, see No Doubt (disambiguation). ... Gwen Renée Stefani (born October 3, 1969) (pronounced [1]), is an American singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and occasional actress. ... Last Dance is a song written by the late Paul Jabara. ... Donna Summer (born Donna Adrian Gaines) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who gained prominence during the disco era of music. ... Traditional pop or Classic pop or Standards music denotes, in general, Western (and particularly American) popular music that either wholly predates the advent of rock and roll in the mid-1950s, or to any popular music which exists concurrently to rock and roll but originated in a time before the... Stormy Weather is a 1933 song written by Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler. ... Ethel Waters (October 31, 1900 – September 1, 1977) was an American blues and jazz vocalist and actor. ... Latin American music, sometimes simply called Latin music in The United States, includes the music of all countries in Latin America and comes in many varieties. ... Conga was the first major hit single for Cuban-born singer Gloria Estefan, although the actual name on the single read Miami Sound Machine. ... Gloria Estefan (born Gloria María Fajardo on September 22, 1961 in Havana, Cuba) is a five-time Grammy Award-winning Cuban American singer and songwriter. ... Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains. ... Jesus, Take the Wheel is a Grammy Award-winning song written by Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. ... Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning singer. ... I Believe is an award winning debut single released by the music artist and American Idol season 3 winner, Fantasia Barrino. ... Fantasia Monique Barrino (born June 30, 1984), or simply Fantasia, is an American R&B/soul singer and Broadway actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the television series American Idol in 2004. ... Bon Jovi is a hard rock band originating from Sayreville, New Jersey. ... This Aint a Love Song was the 1st single from Bon Jovis 1995 album These Days. ... Barry Alan Crompton Gibb CBE (born on 1 September 1946) is a singer, songwriter and producer. ... Stayin Alive is a song by The Bee Gees, released as a single in 1977. ... The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb — that became one of the most successful musical acts of the 20th century. ...

Post-American Idol

Jones toured with the Top 10 Idols on the Idols tour. She received rave reviews for her solo performance of I Will Always Love You. Jones says that she will also be focusing on two goals: a record contract and a new home, which is likely to be in Houston, Texas.^[2] American Idols Live! Tour 2007 is a summer concert tour in the United States featuring the top 10 contestants of the sixth season of American Idol, which aired in 2007. ... I Will Always Love You is a song written and originally performed by American country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton (first released as a single in 1974) and then most famously recorded by American singer Whitney Houston. ... Houston redirects here. ...

She performed the Star-Spangled Banner at Comerica Park before the Detroit Tigers game on June 8, 2007 versus the New York Mets. is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Jones also had two homecoming events. The first at the Abundant Life Cathedral Church in Houston, Texas (Houston was her home from 2000 to 2006) on May 30th, 2007. This date was also declared 'LaKisha Jones Day' in Houston by Mayor Bill White. Houston redirects here. ... Houston redirects here. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Houston redirects here. ...

The other homecoming was at Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, where Jones was born and raised and where most of her family still resides, on June 9, 2007. It was at this ceremony that she received a $6,000 check and six-month free lease on a new Buick LaCrosse. She also received a Flint watch, personalized tree ornaments from Bronner's and a card signed by 300 fans. Atwood Stadium is an 11,000-seat stadium located in Flint, Michigan. ... Nickname: Location of Flint within Genesee County, Michigan. ... is the 160th day of the year (161st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

June 10, 2007 was declared to be 'LaKisha Jones Day' in Michigan by Gov. Jennifer Granholm at Michigan State Capitol, Lansing. is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

In an interview in Toronto, Jones revealed that there are deals on the table and expressed her wish to record either a Soul album or an Inspirational Gospel album or maybe both. She also said that she may do some Broadway.

In late September 2007, it was announced that Jones would take over the role of the church soloist in the Broadway musical The Color Purple as of January 9, 2008. Jones played the role of Sofia during matinées (standing in for Chaka Khan). ^[3] The Color Purple is a Broadway musical based upon the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini/Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American singer known for hit songs such as Im Every Woman, I Feel For You and Through the Fire. Khan was first featured as a member of the funk band Rufus before beginning her solo career. ...

On 19th June she was the honorary guest at the Governor's Service Awards, a theatre-style gala at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, where she performed a mini-concert.

She will be performing at the 4th Annual 'Bringing It Home' concert in her hometown of Flint, Michigan at the Perani Arena on July 12th. In addition, LaKisha will be performing at The Rrazz Room, San Francisco from 1st July to 5th July.

In June 2008, LaKisha also vocal coached the girls on MTV's 'Legally Blonde: The Search For Ellie Woods'. She demonstrated 'Amazing Grace' using chest and head voice with different vibratos. ^[4]

In May 2008, she appeared on American Idol Extra and sang a song called Just As I Am, which will be on her debut album. LaKisha revealed the songs on her album will be more R&B, Soul with some Inspirational songs as a homage to her strong Gospel roots. ^[5]

At the American Idol Season 7 Finale, she also revealed that her album will be released exclusively on the Internet on August 5th 2008. ^[6]

Discography

EPs

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... This article is about the iTunes application. ...

References

External links

• LaKisha Jones at American Idol
• LaKisha Jones Interview on Fox News Radio
• LaKisha Jones Official Website
• LaKisha Jones at MySpace
• LaKisha Jones Music at MySpace