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Mormon Pop: American Idol

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Congratulations! | 5:06 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Check out the auditions on Utube if you haven't seen them already. They are great!

Danny C | 7:06 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

It would be nice to see some of these young LDS artists actually write their own songs. More refreshing still if they could write songs that were inspirational without being solely religion-based.

Ernest T. Bass | 8:21 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Why does it matter that they're LDS?

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 8:31 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Good point, Danny C. I think that's why the Osmonds were so successful. They made wholesome music that appealed to more outside their own culture. There's still a market for it.

Spencer | 9:01 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I wonder how many Catholics, Muslims and Jews made it to Hollywood. GOOD GRIEF!! WHAT DOES THEIR RELIGION MATTER?

Kora | 10:03 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I dont know about you guys but i love mormon singers! They are my favorite to listen to. I would like to see more mormans on Ameriacan Idol.

Re:Danny C | 10:04 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

inspirational without being solely religion based??? The two go hand in hand. And it's their choice what they sing. You can't tell me there aren't any popular artists that usually stick to a particular kind of music...

Heather | 10:13 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I want to heaer some of their music it sounds really good to me.

won't happen | 10:17 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Look what happen to some past winners. Contracts being taken and they haven't done anything. Soul Patrol! Give me a break the guy is watching this years american idol on TV at home.

Ok? | 10:32 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

i could care less that David Archuleta is "mormon" the article should of talked about him being latino., it would of been more interesting

blank | 10:40 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

One thing that is very interesting. I can play 3 instruments and my sister can sing and my brother is one of the top 5 drummers in the state of utah (in my opinion that is) I don't necessary think that it is because we are mormon, but more so that the lifestyle that we have when we are younger is to get us involved in lots of youth activities. To end Utah had a lot of talent because of this fact, lots of youth incentive to get involved that is why there is so much talent in here.

because | 11:19 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

It matters that they're LDS because it's nice to see good LDS people in the national spotlight. It matters that they're LDS because there are bunches of people outside the Utah/Arizona/Idaho strong LDS base of the U.S., who like to hear what's going on with the LDS people in the rest of the world. It matters because it's nice to see people of your faith succeeding. It matters to other members of the Church, because we're all trying to keep the same commandments, and be successful in whatever we do. I am certain that there are other religions out there who report about their members when they are successful. We are not an anomaly in this case.

Bob | 11:25 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Quick reality check folks,
American Idol is embarrasingly bad. It's sort of the WWF of the arts world and all of you who love it should aim a little higher.

az mormon | 11:45 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Spencer, Ernest T. Bass

What does it matter? Why do you act as though everytime we mention that someone is of the same persuasion you act as though the guantlet has been thrown down. Your brand of PC is what is wrong with America. It is simply part of the culture in Utah and interesting to those of us who belong to it.

Serious? | 11:50 a.m. Jan. 25, 2008

You're reading the LDS Newsline and wondering why it's talking about LDS news?

Atl | 12:04 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Good job "because". I am in Atlanta, the buckle of the bible belt and we like to root for the LDS. That will be the only reason I watch the show now, for Brooke and David.

Anonymous | 12:15 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

A good recent example is Romney. Now I don't follow politics, don't particularly care, but once he looked towards running the most important factor in a lot of peoples' eyes was that he is LDS. When the people who look for reasons to detract from something they disagree with put the emphasis on a person's church, it's nice to see a counter of that.

Jane | 12:19 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Good point Bob. Want to hear talent and beautiful voices?: enter any university vocal department. Sadly, these musicians who study and work for years and years get very little accolade.

Steve - David is from Murray | 12:34 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

To the author of the article: David Archuletta is from Murray, Utah and not Salt Lake (it said so by his name when he appeared at the "Idol" tryouts this week). I'm hoping he does well on the show and at least makes it as far as the final/top 12 (or even 10 so he can be on the tour). Good luck David!

Check this | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Its entertainment Bob. It's ment to be bad in the beginning, that's the time I love to watch it. Seeing the freaks and clueless is very entertaining. Plus, you see the human interest parts of some of the contestants. And some talented people who don't have connections to make it without this kind of show.

Were you one of the people that thought you could sing but, tried out for the show only to find out your abilities aren't what you thought they were?

I don't know why else you'd say its "embarrasingly bad". Obviously you are in the minority since its the highest rated show on television year after year and its put out the occasional huge recording artists.

Like it or not Bob, the 'reality' is the shows NOT "embarrasingly bad". Though it's not my favorite, its still a great show.

Now the WWF?(Which I think is now WWE or something) That's another story.

jan daniels | 12:37 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Us mormons all know that we have many talented artists among us. I'm proud of them.

FedUp | 12:44 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Oh, good grief. Did this writer really just say, "A friend of mine is in Brooke's ward"??? For Pete's sake. That one half sentence alone has just obliterated any remaining identity the Deseret Morning News had as a legitimate news source.

Save the ridiculous church gossip for church. Or better yet don't.

I mean, don't you few poor, long-suffering Utah non-Mormons just get sick of some of them Mormons constantly talking amongst themselves in newspaper stories, newspaper columns, blogs, online postings, etc.? You'd think they owned the place or something.

Re: Ernest T. Bass, Spencer | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

You are questioning an article about Mormon singers in a section of the newspaper entitled "LDS Newsline?" Come on, are you really that bigoted towards Mormons? If there was a section of the newspaper entitled "Catholic Newsline," there's a good chance there would be some news about those who share the Catholic faith. Please take a moment to think before you post your comments.

Re: FedUp | 1:16 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Why are you reading an article under the section "LDS Newsline" if you have such a beef against Mormons?

And I quote "That one half sentence alone has just obliterated any remaining identity the Deseret Morning News had as a legitimate news source." Again I ask you, why are reading this article in the first place then? A bit of advice, if you have a problem with an article about some successful people that share a religion (LDS), then don't read an article listed under a section "LDS Newsline." Good grief, do you really hate Mormons that bad?

hey fedup | 1:18 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

quit reading it then- duh!

Aloha | 1:24 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I appreciated knowing about these Idol finalists and will watch the show with more interest to see how they do. In the same way, it's interesting to follow the success of LDS athletes in their college and professional careers. I agree that since this is an LDS Newsline, it's useful for LDS members to learn about successes of our members. Mahalo.

New fan of Brooke | 1:34 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

We are rooting for you, Brooke! Way to be a light and example to the world. Even AI's Randy could discern that there was something pure and wholesome about you...and you have a beautiful voice! You get my vote!

none | 1:38 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

"Fed up", if you are so disgusted with it, why are you reading it? Sounds like you're one of the long-suffering nons, and yet here you are reading the mormon pop idol news?

Re: FedUp | 1:39 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

You'll notice that it's from an LDSNewsLine blog. Blogs are quite a bit different than actual news articles. I would agree with you if this were an actual blog, but your standards of judgment are higher than they should be.

Hello! | 1:53 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

It would be silly for a newspaper that circulated mainly to LDS households to just ignore that aspect of their readers' lives. It is called a human interest story and like it or not humans often care about those that have something in common with them. Of course on a basic level we all have something in common with eachother.

Utah Singers | 2:02 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I wish there were a Utah Jr. American Idol type of show for kids. There is such a talent pool in Utah, and hardly any place for kids to compete. If you can compete in sports, you should be able to compete in the arts. It makes people rise up and try harder than they otherwise would.

Co Coug Re: Fedup | 2:04 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

"I mean, don't you few poor, long-suffering Utah non-Mormons just get sick of some of them Mormons constantly talking amongst themselves in newspaper stories, newspaper columns, blogs, online postings, etc.?"

Buck up little camper, everything will be all right.

Last I checked, nobody was being forced against their will to live in Utah, or around Mormons for that matter. I don't see your point.

Congratulations to these two singers, it takes a lot of courage to go on national TV and sing in front of some very critical judges.

Mc | 2:04 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

To FedUp: I don't understand why you feel compelled to read the stories that are LDS connected. Nobody's forcing you to read anything you don't want to. There are plenty of other sources for news. The D News chooses to cater to its LDS readership and there's nothing wrong with that. If you don't like it, don't read it.

Brett | 2:06 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Ernest T..."You couldn't have said it any better"!

Blog | 2:10 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

FedUp, it looks like this is an on-line only feature -- the byline says the writer is a Desnews blogger. I think that's why this reads like a blog entry and not a news story (plenty of "I wonder," "I think" etc.).

Bob welcome to reality | 2:21 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

You may not like American idol but go look up nielsen ratings for it. It is usually the most program on tv. Guess what that means. They get tons of advertising revenue. Guess what that means. They will continue to be on TV. Guess what that means. You are the one that needs to check reality. The show is not trying to be musical genius. The thing that makes it popular is that it takes the popular american ideal of rising out of the masses and making it big. People still love the american dream.

Mormon Idols | 2:38 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Unlike Romney, I hope these two mormons do really well.

To Utah Singers | 3:10 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

They had American Idol Jr. a couple years ago with kids but, it didn't last. Not too many people tuned in I guess.

Alex | 4:11 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

Ah, American Idol. I miss scripted TV even more now.

Murray Student | 7:01 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

I go to school with David and he is amazing! He is such a cutie! I hope he goes realy far in American Idol!!

A Utah Okie | 9:32 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008

RE: Bob at 11:25.
Two words for you. Carrie Underwood.

Zac | 12:22 a.m. Jan. 26, 2008

Carmen Rasmusen is one of the nicest ppl you ever will meet! she is amazing! & nice!

Good goin | 3:10 a.m. Jan. 26, 2008

It's nice to know that there are still some young people out there who like to sing wholesome music. I saw David Archuleta's audition and he was very good, Oh he's from Murray not Salt Lake. Go get em! And don't lower your standards for the judges or anybody else, I think that's why the Osmonds have done so well, they don;t cave to pressure they maintain who they are and what they believe in.

Anonymous | 6:57 a.m. Jan. 26, 2008

Good job Carmen! Gonna be a lot of temptation coming your way......Beware!

A Few Points | 11:01 a.m. Jan. 27, 2008

The Deseret News always has and always will report their stories with a slant toward all things LDS. If that bothers you then the Salt Lake Tribune, USA Today or many other news sources are only a mouse click away. The DN knows their readership and won't change for a grumpy few. In reality the few grumpy comments kind of spice things up so I personally hope they keep reading and commenting on the DN.

I like to see LDS talent who are able to go more mainstream. In other words it is known that they are LDS but are diverse enough that they aren't stuck selling their wares only through Deseret Book. It's why it's a love - hate thing to see a great LDS athlete go somewhere other than BYU. They actually have can have a broader impact for the Church at times going elsewhere. And a musician or actor could also have a broader impact if their talent was not just confined to the Mormon demographic.

American Idol is great entertainment. And at the end of the day several very talented individuals got on the airwaves years earlier than they ever could have.

Carol | 9:24 p.m. Jan. 27, 2008

Brook went to school with my sons and she is very talented. I hope she wins!

hastetwo | 10:02 p.m. Jan. 27, 2008

My cousin is doing Murray Idol and made the finals!

Teresa | 9:58 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Interesting don't you all think, that when it comes to American Idol, we could all "care less" they are Mormon, but in our Presidential campaign, all anyone can do is bash Romney for being Mormon. If it isn't an issue to you for American Idol, then why is everyone making such a stink about it for President? Duh people, look at the qualifications of a person rather than their religion! Romney 2008!

Rosemarie | 10:32 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

I truly think its not the religion that makes them talented but the dedication from the parents aking them to their lessons , and the gene pool they are born from. I lived in Utah for5 years, as an Air Force wife, and loved the area. The families are very grounded. I may not agree with the religion itself , but the family is number one, withou family, you have noone.

Rachel | 11:58 a.m. Jan. 28, 2008

Brooke,

I hope you get my message...I think is so awesome what you said in your audition. I love, love, love how you dared Simon. It made me think of this quote:

Dare to be a Mormon
Dare to stand alone,
Dare to have a purpose
and Dare to make it known!!!

You go girl, one of the young woman in our ward commented on your performance. I hope you will stand strong in your values and not let them bring you down.

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