Canaan Shines As Idol Goes Gospel
When American Idol announced it would be airing an Easter Sunday special, dubbed “Songs of Faith,” there were a couple of contestants for whom this seemed tailor-made.
Among them is 17-year-old Canaan James Hill, of Dallas, Texas, who sang “Better Days” by Le’Andria Johnson, in the Sunday, April 20, special.
To top if off, this special also saw Canaan advance into the Top 20. In fact, he was the first contestant revealed to be safe and moving on!
During his audition earlier this season, Canaan mentioned he had graduated early from high school, stating the decision was made so he could “go forward with [his] gift, and do what God has called and chosen [for him] to do.”
Part of that calling, he said, involved a future as a Christian preacher.
Canaan’s audition, which compelled the judges to offer him a Platinum Ticket to Hollywood, was the first taste Idol viewers got of his largely gospel-centered tenure on the show, thus far.
Revisit his Idol audition, in which he sang Ernest Pugh’s “I Need Your Glory,” here:
Canaan’s “Songs Of Faith” Performance
The message of Easter was communicated through worship over the course of the “Songs of Faith” special, which saw all three of the Idol judges perform.
Even Idol advisor Jelly Roll took to the stage with Christian artist Brandon Lake for a duet of their crossover hit “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
Still, it was performances by the Top 20 contestants that drew in the spotlight.
Singing “Better Days” gave Canaan the opportunity to continue building upon his gospel wheelhouse. And he fully seized that opportunity. He delivered a powerful performance that left everyone watching in awe, especially the judges.
“Young man … do you have any IDEA what you just did?” Lionel Richie asked in amazement after Canann finished singing. He added that Canaan’s performance was one “to be remembered.”
Carrie Underwood was also blown away, telling Canaan, “Well, you understood the assignment.”
Luke Bryan added to the compliments, telling the 17-year-old singer, “I have not heard a voice like yours.“
Canaan Delivered “Church On The Beach” During A Prior Performance
Leading up to the Idol “Songs of Faith” Easter special, Canaan sang Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It” for his Hollywood Week Showstoppers performance. He also joined fellow Platinum Ticket recipients Kolbi Jordan and Filo for a dynamic rendition of The Temptations’ “Get Ready.”
His performance of Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ’s “Glory To Glory To Glory,” sung on the shoreline stage of Aulani Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, found Canaan impressing the judges even as he battled some seasonal allergies.
“I know you’ve been dealing with some allergies out here,” Idol judge Carrie Underwood said. “To be honest, I kind of think it was a bit of a blessing … I kind of feel like that might’ve forced you to simplify a little bit, and it was really nice.”
Describing the performance as “tremendous” and “very uplifting,” Idol judge Luke Bryan said it was like “church on the beach.”
Further, Idol judge Lionel Richie said Canaan’s voice is his “signature.” However, Richie offered, “I cannot wait to hear you when you start interpreting other songs, outside of the church, because I know you’ve got the ability to navigate your own sound within those songs.”
While the “Songs of Faith” special did not show him branch out into secular music, it further solidified his place as a top contender in the competition. Watch Canaan James Hill’s outstanding performance during the American Idol Easter special below.