You watched him rock it and sock it as a finalist on American Idol Season 6, riff with Jay Leno and Little Richard on The Tonight Show, and now the spirited, powerful vocalist Chris Sligh has signed a recording contract with Brash Music (Aaron Shust, Jump Little Children, Anthony David). A genuine original with a golden voice, a style of songwriting that communicates even as it defies the commercial “rules,” and a world view that encompasses edgy humour, rebelliousness, and rock-solid faith, Sligh’s debut, Running Back to You, will bow nationally on May 6th.

Named as one of Entertainment Weekly’s “Best Idol Auditions Ever”, Sligh auditioned for American Idol more or less on a whim. To his surprise, his performance swept him onto a fast track to the final rounds. His willingness to take chances, his ironic wit, and his startlingly powerful vocals embedded him into the popular imagination, while his distinctive blend of talent, humour, confidence, and unpredictability led to an exchange with Simon Cowell that delighted the other judges, host Ryan Seacrest, and much of North America.

Though he didn’t win, Sligh did captivate and stir discussion among the millions of American Idol viewers. He also demonstrated that he knew how to do whatever needed to be done to turn a performance, whether through singing or spoken word, into a home run. “With a song, you have three minutes to cram in as much information as possible,” he recalls.

Sligh’s willingness to challenge convention and to take creative risks is evident throughout Running Back To You. Produced by Brown Bannister (Amy Grant, MercyMe, Steven Curtis Chapman, The Afters) with guest co-production from renowned musicians Will Owsley and Stephen Leiweke, the project evokes other artists of passion and commitment, from Switchfoot to the Killers. In the end, though, the lesson is reaffirmed – namely, that Chris Sligh simultaneously touches the heart and rocks the house in his own unique way. From the soaring resonance of “In a Moment” to the sly rhyming of “Love is Raining Down”, Sligh manages to be provocative, inspirational, and maybe a little cheeky, all at the same time. His music is rich in character; his character overflows with music. His reverence is no less real for being at times irreverent.

Launching a promotional tour this week to support his first radio single, “Empty Me”, Sligh will hit markets including Dallas, Houston, Tulsa, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Orlando, and also kicks off the week as an official American Idol commentator for Entertainment Weekly online. Operating on a three week rotating schedule with our two other commentators (Jon Peter Lewis and Nadia Turner), Sligh will write commentaries through the lens of his experiences on American Idol; from comments about the singers, the judges, the set, and more, including any relatable anecdotes or stories from personal Idol experiences.

Sligh makes a guest appearance on Kevin Max’s latest project The Blood. To hear the track “Run On For A Long Time”, visit Max’s YMZ artist page.