'Idol' Kris Allen Plays Hometown For 20,000 Fans

CONWAY, Ark. — Kris Allen has brought a little bit of rock back to his Arkansas hometown.

The 23-year-old "American Idol" finalist came home on Friday, when an estimated crowd of more than 20,000 packed an area of downtown Conway, about 20 miles north of Little Rock, to hear him belt out songs such as Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror."

Allen appeared a little overwhelmed by the swooning fans, telling them: "You guys are crazy."

The concert was the last big public event on Allen's schedule Friday, which included performances in Little Rock, at the University of Central Arkansas and a parade in his honor just before the Conway show.

All this is for Allen, who's competing for the "Idol" crown and a record contract against Danny Gokey of Milwaukee and Adam Lambert of San Diego when the Fox TV singing contest finale airs May 20.

In Conway, support for the hometown hero is clear. Messages cheering for Allen popped up everywhere _ in windows of salons to a bail bonds office.

It's a big change for Conway, where MTV was briefly dropped from a cable lineup in the 1990s over concern for its content.

"MTV was just a little too graphic for us," resident Crissy Stevens said with a laugh.

Story continues below

advertisement

Rachel Burks, an 18-year-old fan of the competition, said she loves judge Simon Cowell, but added that she "wasn't OK" with his recent comparison of Allen's cover of the Beatles' "Come Together" to "eating ice for lunch."

At the evening concert, a fan held up a sign that said: "I'll have ice for lunch any day!"

At the University of Central Arkansas show earlier in the day, 24-year-old Chris Rodriguez said Allen "is what you see on TV. Rodriguez, who said he grew up with the Idol finalist in Arkansas, called the singer "a good guy. He's incredibly talented, and he is what you see."

Leann McEowen, 38, said Allen's success has helped the town unite.

"It's just amazing to see a town get behind somebody," she said. "I think it's cool that they're behind him the way they are."

Celebrities aren't foreign to Conway. Scottie Pippen played his college basketball at UCA before going on to win six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

So what's more impressive, six NBA titles or one American Idol crown?

Rodriguez sides with the singer.

"American Idol's a one-person thing," he said. "Scottie Pippen had Michael Jordan."

Comments

[jayhawkiegrl]

I have said this on many Idol sites..the final 2 will be Adam and Danny..I have always given the truth each week and been correct. Personally, I think Kris is a sweetheart and I love his voice...too bad things couldn't turn out different.

[corli1013]

WELL YOU WERE WRONG ABOUT DANNY AND KRIS IS GOING TO TAKE IT ALL GO KRIS!

[cleveb]

Love Kris Allen hope he wins it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[corli1013]

I BELIEVE CHRIS IS GOING TO WIN IT ALL. LIKE PAULA SAID ADAM IS GOING TO BE A ROCKER BUT NOT AMERICAN IDOL.GO CHRIS GO!

[tinarm]

I'm sorry but I just don't see what all you women see in Adam. He's so fake, fake hair color, fake eyebrow color, makeup, it's like he's trying to be someone he's not. I'll take Kris, he can write, arrange and sing, that's more than Adam will ever be able to do. Kris is like a rock Keith Urban, but better.

[fame]

He's so gorgeous. Go little pocket Idol! Shock the world and win this thing!

[bluguy8]

no matter who wins--Adam will have the huge career . Kris is same old --same old

[Liz Montanez]

Danny had a huge crowd as well - 26,000 showed up at Summerfest field for Danny. He received lots of love and support here in Milwaukee.

[Milinda]

I am a big fan of Adam Lambert. That said, I want Kris to win. I think he has a natural, easy style to him that reminds me of my all-time favorite, James Taylor. I believe Adam is already poised on the brink of stardom but I think Kirs could use the help that winning the title could give him. It has seemed to me from the beginning that Simon has tried to goad Kris into having more confidence in himself and not to criticize Kris for a lack of talent. Kris is a VERY talented young man and he is cute as can be, too. I feel with some work and polishing, he could grow his confidence to meet up with his talent.
So, even though I am an ardent Glambert, I really like Kris, too, and his easy-going ways are comfortable and sweet. I don't understand why people feel they must put one contestant down because they like another one better. They are all very talented or they wouldn't have made it to the finals. You Go, Kris!

[shela88]

How about Adam and Kris in the top two? Works for me. They would be very interesting dueting in the finale. Both are very nice which is what counts for a lot..The second spot is like a win..Both are deserving.

[SaddieMcCall]

The Judges' pick one song for each contestant next week, and the singers pick one as well. Adam will sing "One" by U2. Kris will be singing "Apologize" and Danny will sing "Dance little sister".

[AfroLatina21]

I'm from Arkansas so I'm rooting for him!

I think he'll go far in the music business. I wish him the best.

[Bulbul]

I do not think Chris will win, Simon already counted him out. But it is a win win situation for him, his velvetty smooth voice is going to tale him to a long a successful career.....

[SaddieMcCall]

Simon also didn't believe that Taylor Hicks would win. Simon doesn't always know the way the voters will vote.

[dagnew]

I like Kris, and whether he wins or not, he'll have a solid career in music.

[MissingAmerica]

I like this guy. He's a bit more subdued but no less talented. He will go far in this new career. Best wishes for a very bright and seccessful future, Kris.

[VenusDeMilo]

This guy has a lot of potential to make great music, i think.

And i actually like him better than danny gokey.

[SaddieMcCall]

People in Arkansas must like ice.

[yellowdoggie]

I'm not in Arkansas, but I would imagine that ice is nice on a hot day.