Michael W. Smith Announces Christmas Tour with American Idol's Angie Miller

Multi-platinum recording artist Michael W. Smith has announced the dates for his annual holiday tour. Titled "Celebrate Christmas," the festive tour will run for ten dates, kicking off Dec. 1 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and wrapping up Dec. 15 in Detroit, Michigan.

Each stop on the tour will also feature American Idol finalist Angie Miller, whom this past spring placed top three on the popular show. "I have looked up to Michael forever and have been singing his songs in church my whole life," Miller shares about the tour. "I am incredibly honored to be on this tour with him now!"

In addition to Miller on the tour, for the Dec 5, 6 and 7 shows Smith will be sharing the stage with his good friends Third Day.

American Idol Shocker: Angie Miller Doesn't Make the Top 2

 

It was the shocker of season 12 of American Idol. When Angie Miller was eliminated on Thursday night, it came as a surprise to the American Idol judges, the studio audience, people on Twitter and viewers at home -- not to mention Angie Miller herself.

“It's bitter and sweet,” the 19-year-old Beverly, Mass. native told reporters after the show, which saw Candice Glover and Kree Harrison advance to the final round. “I definitely thought that with the whole hometown visit and how huge social media has been … I did feel kind of confident that I was going to make it.”

Equally surprising was how Miller was able to maintain her composure following her elimination. She joyfully displayed her excitement for the two finalists in a slew of TV interviews -- “They're both incredible; it'll be an amazing night,” she said repeatedly.

Miller said she has the judges to thank for giving her the boost. Asked what wisdom Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban left her with, Miller answered: “They all pretty much said, ‘Girl, this is not over. You're so going to do incredible things.’ Coming from them, that means everything. … They brought me here.”

As for where she goes next, there’s the summer tour, for one, and the support in knowing that her original music might one day be recorded. “When I think of this whole experience and people ask me what's the best moment, it's when I was able to sing ‘You Set Me Free,’ my original song,” she said. “That song and that moment will carry me on and I can't wait to record it.”

Angie Miller is in Top 3 of American Idol Finalists

The Top 3 finalists for this year's "American Idol" competition were named during the May 2 broadcast.


Those competing for the "American Idol" crown now include Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller.  The three finalists will head to their respective hometowns for a special homecoming this weekend. 

The May 8 broadcast will feature footage from the three finalists returning to their hometowns. Each of the women will sing three songs: “Judges’ Choice”; “Jimmy’s Choice”; and “IDOL’s Choice.”

The May 9 program will reveal which two women will perform in the grand finale. The evening will also feature performances by Alicia Keys and Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina.

Kari Jobe Song Performed on American Idol by Top 6 Contestant Angie Miller

Last night on American Idol, one of the Top 6 contestants, Angie Miller, chose a Kari Jobe song to perform as her "Song I wish I had written" selection. Miller's performance of "Love Came Down" from Jobe's 2012 release Where I Find You resulted in a standing ovation from the crowd and all four judges. Her performance evoked responses from Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, and garnered a heartfelt response from Jobe as well. 

"I have watched American Idol for 12 years, and it was so much fun to have 'Love Came Down' from my album, Where I Find You on there this week," shared Jobe after watching the performance. "I met Angie a year ago and was blown away by her talent and love for Jesus! Excited for her!"
Miller also shared on Twitter last night to Jobe, "I watched you perform 'Love Came Down' quite some time ago and fell in love with it. Thank you for inspiring me so much! Love you!"

Following Miller's performance last night, Jobe's song quickly climbed to the top of the iTunes Christian & Gospel singles chart, and the album is currently at No. 6 on the iTunes Christian album chart.



Wednesday night, Top 6 American Idol contestant Angie Miller sang chart-topping CCM artist Kari Jobe's song "Love Came Down" and received a standing ovation from both the crowd and the judges.

Colton Dixon and Angie Miller To Perform Together on American Idol Tonight?

 "American Idol" resumes again tonight with the results show from last nights performances.  Last night the Top 8 contestants sang classic hits from Motown and it served as a less than stellar night for some.

Angie Miller, who has been the darling and favorite by many for this season had an off night as well and the judges let her know about it. 

Idol judge Nicki Minaj who usually sings Millers praises seem irritated with her performance and if nothing else definitely gave her some tough love saying, "I don't think this has anything to do with whether you have undeniable talent, I think everyone knows that we feel that you do," an obviously exasperated Nicki launched into her critique. "And I don't think it has anything to do with the melody of the song. I think that you came out today to try to show a different side of Angie that didn't need to be shown.  You need to stop and enjoy that people are loving what you're doing. You don't have to try to be more overtly sexy, you don't have to try to be having fun.  Don't try to come out here and give us another side. We ain't asked for another side yet!"

Tonight, another popular American Idol alum will hit the stage, Colton Dixon.  Dixon was on Season 11 of American Idol and his career in Christian music has taken off since the show.  He released his debut record in January of this year and it has already generated two #1 singles, "Never Gone" and "You Are".  Colton Dixon will be performing his new single tonight.  He has kept the title of the song under wraps to build up to excitement for tonight.


There has also been buzz that Dixon and Miller will perform together tonight.  Miller sang Dixon's song, "Never Gone", a few weeks ago.

Colton Dixon Opens Up on American Idol, Phillip Phillips, and Switchfoot

BreatheCast recently interviewed Colton Dixon on a wide-range of topics.  Here are a few highlights:

How did it feel to see Angie Miller perform your song, "Never Gone" on American Idol?
"First of all, she did a phenomenal job.  I still can't believe that it all happened so fast, it really just felt like I was on the stage yesterday and now a new season already and someone is singing one of my songs, it's just crazy, I can't even wrap my head around it.  It's cool to see what God is doing with this record and the different avenues He has been plugging it in.  So stoked for Angie, she has been doing so well and yea, like I said, she absolutely killed it.  Excited to see what she will be doing in the future." 

Do you keep in touch with anyone from American Idol?
"Yea, we all keep in touch pretty well actually.  If someone has something going on, they will group text us and we will catch up every once in a while.  I'd say the person that I was closest to was probably Phillip just because we have similar interests.  He was a believer as well so we were able to connect on that level.  We were trying to do the same things just with different genres of music.  He was just a great, humble guy and we try to keep in contact as best as we can with our busy schedules.  Phillip actually just announced a tour with John Mayer, so I'm a little jealous right now.  I'm gonna be one of those guys begging for backstage passes (laughs).  They are all doing really, really great.  It's cool to see the different avenues that music is taking them."


If you could collaborate with one Christian artist and one secular artist, who would you choose?
"That is so hard.  Man, I would love to collaborate with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot.  I actually just met him not too long ago, he's such a rad dude.  He promised me a surfing lesson so I'm looking forward to that.  On the secular side (pause), I think doing something with Jared Leto from 30 Seconds to Mars would be amazing.  Doing something with Coldplay would be amazing too.  Man, so many good artists.  I would say between those two artists."