C. J. Harris (singer)

Raised in Jasper, Alabama,{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/02/get_to_know_cj_harris_of_jaspe.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Get to know C.J. Harris of Jasper, Alabama, competing in top 31 on 'American Idol' (photos, video)|work=AL.com|date=February 18, 2014|accessdate=July 18, 2020}} Harris spent his summers working for his grandfather, whom he credited as a mentor.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-c-j-harris-689731|author=Fred Bronson|title='American Idol' Season 13: C.J. Harris Was Introduced to Music by His Grandfather|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 20, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608141511/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-c-j-harris-689731|archivedate=June 8, 2014}} At age eight, he started learning the guitar on a broken one gifted to him from his grandfather; it only had three strings.{{cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20140329/News/605148120/TL|author=Mark Hughes Cobb|title=Fayette pulling for its 'American Idol'|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=March 29, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} Harris also played piano. His earliest music influences included Usher, Keith Sweat, and Darius Rucker. He also cited Ray LaMontagne, The Allman Brothers Band, John Legend, John Mayer, and Keith Urban as some of his favorite music artists. Harris was in church choir growing up.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/07/american_idol_2014_tour_jessic.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Alabama singers Jessica Meuse, C.J. Harris talk about pros, cons of 2014 'American Idol' tour|work=AL.com|date=July 23, 2014|accessdate=July 19, 2020}} His singing was mostly self-taught,{{cite interview|url=https://tvline.com/2014/04/28/cj-harris-american-idol-season-13-exit-interview-idology-slezak-reality-check/|subject=CJ Harris|interviewer=Michael Slezak|title=Idol's C.J. Harris Talks Movie Week Magic, Randy as Mentor and His Trouble With Intonation|type=video|work=TVLine|date=April 28, 2014|accessdate=July 19, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/04/cj_harris_talks_about_american.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=C.J. Harris talks about 'American Idol,' hometown support and his favorite dish at Green Top Bar-B-Q|work=AL.com|date=April 29, 2014|accessdate=July 19, 2020}} and his own musical style was described by AL.com in 2014 as "Earthy roots rock, with blues and country influences." Harris said that he considered his style similar to The Civil Wars.

The first American Idol audition Harris attended was in 2010. Before placing on the thirteenth season of the series in 2014, he auditioned unsuccessfully for The X-Factor and The Voice. Shortly after reaching the finals on American Idol, he reflected on his mindset going into the season 13 auditions, telling The Hollywood Reporter, "I saw they were doing the bus tour and they were going to be 30 minutes down the road from me. I said, 'You know what? I'm going to give it another chance. I've gotten so much better, my voice has matured and my playing has gotten so much better. I'm 23, before you know it I'll be 33 and I want to give it another chance.' " At the time of that audition, Harris worked at a barbecue restaurant and as a guitar teacher.{{cite web |author=Mary Colurso |date=March 20, 2014 |title='American Idol' fans get a taste of Green Top Bar-B-Q, thanks to Alabama singer C.J. Harris |url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/03/american_idol_fans_get_a_taste.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720022434/https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/03/american_idol_fans_get_a_taste.html |archivedate=July 20, 2020 |accessdate=July 19, 2020 |work=AL.com}}{{Cite web |last=Avila |first=Daniela |date=January 17, 2023 |title=A Look Back at the Late C.J. Harris' Season 13 'American Idol' Audition |url=https://people.com/music/cj-harris-dead-american-idol-audition/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=People |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-17 |title='American Idol' singer C.J. Harris dies at 31 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-01-17/cj-harris-death-american-idol-jasper-alabama |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} His father died shortly before the start of American Idol's thirteenth season.{{cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20140130/four-with-local-ties-advance-on-american-idol|author=Mark Hughes Cobb|title=Four with local ties advance on 'American Idol'|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=January 30, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} By that point, Harris had already recorded an album titled Small Town Boy as an independent musician.

Harris attended the bus tour auditions for American Idol{{'}}s thirteenth season in Tuscaloosa. He then auditioned before the judges in Salt Lake City. His audition performance of "Soulshine" was well-received, and in response, Keith Urban, a judge that year, said of Harris, "You sing 'cause you have to sing, not 'cause you want to sing. And I mean that in the deepest way. And that's why it's so believable and real."{{cite episode|title=Auditions: Salt Lake City, Utah|series=American Idol|network=Fox|date=January 29, 2014|season=13|number=5}} For the group rounds, Harris joined with the season's eventual winner, Caleb Johnson for a performance of Alex Clare's "Too Close".{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/recap/american-idol-2014-group-night-hollywood/|author=Annie Barrett|title=American Idol recap: Hollywood Group Night|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 7, 2014|accessdate=July 18, 2020}} Before advancing to the semi-finals, Harris was one of a few contestants paired together for an impromptu sing-off. Harris was paired with Casey Thrasher, and the judges intended to only put one of them through to the next round. The judges were impressed with both performances however – Harris sang "Whipping Post" – and both contestants were put through.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/02/american_idol_update_alabamas.html|author=Mary Colurso|title='American Idol' update: Alabama's C.J. Harris, Casey Thrasher join Jess Meuse, Dexter Roberts in top 31 (video)|work=AL.com|date=February 14, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}

In the semi-finals, Harris failed to receive enough votes to automatically advance into the finals. He was kept in the competition when the judges chose him as a Wild Card.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/video-american-idols-cj-harris-682499|author1=Fred Bronson|author2=Ashley Lee|title='American Idol's' C.J. Harris: 'Black Guy Playing Country Music? Give Me a Chance' (Video)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 21, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323124059/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/video-american-idols-cj-harris-682499|archivedate=March 23, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/video-american-idol-top-13-682400|author1=Fred Bronson|author2=Ashley Lee|title='American Idol' Top 13: Were the Wildcard Performances Fair? (Video)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 21, 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310173645/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/video-american-idol-top-13-682400|archivedate=March 10, 2014}} Critics noted that Harris struggled with pitch in some of his performances.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2016/01/alabamas_american_idol_dynasty.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Alabama's 'American Idol' dynasty: 8 singers from our state made their marks over first 14 seasons|work=AL.com|date=January 6, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/01/every-american-idol-finalist-ranked.html|author=Maura Johnston|author-link=Maura Johnston |title=Every American Idol Finalist, Ranked From Worst to Best|work=Vulture|date=January 28, 2016|accessdate=July 18, 2020}} Harris received mostly positive attention for his participation on the series though; Mary Colurso of AL.com wrote that Harris was well-liked on the series for his "real-deal authenticity and good-guy appeal", while Maura Johnston of Vulture called Harris "a blast of charisma and unexpected song choices".

Harris reached the Top 10 alongside Dexter Roberts, a friend he had already known for several years from the Alabama music scene. The two of them auditioned together in Tuscaloosa. Harris borrowed Roberts' guitar for that audition, as his own guitar had broken a string during the wait in line.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/02/say_hello_to_dexter_roberts_of.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Say hello to Dexter Roberts of Fayette, Alabama, competing in top 31 on 'American Idol' (photos, video)|work=AL.com|date=February 18, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/DA/20130821/news/605154214/TL?template=ampart|author=Ashley Chaffin|title='American Idol' auditions draw 2,000 hopefuls to Tuscaloosa Amphitheater|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=August 21, 2013|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} After finishing in sixth and seventh place respectively, Harris and Roberts returned to the American Idol stage for the season 13 finale, where they performed together alongside Darius Rucker.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/05/alabamas_jessica_meuse_cj_harr.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Alabama's Jessica Meuse, C.J. Harris, Dexter Roberts to sing with stars on 'American Idol' finale|work=AL.com|date=May 16, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6092295/american-idol-winner-season-13-finale-recap|author=Ashley Lee|title='American Idol': Caleb Johnson Wins Season 13|magazine=Billboard|date=May 21, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}

Common opinion among critics was that Harris gave his best performance on American Idol when he covered "Can't You See" by The Marshall Tucker Band. Michael Slezak of TVLine called that performance "gritty" and "emotionally-connected",{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2014/03/12/american-idol-top-11-recap-caleb-johnson-skyfall-jena-irene-decode/|author=Michael Slezak|title=American Idol Top 11 Performance Recap: Take This Sinking Boat, and Point It Home [Updated]|work=TVLine|date=March 12, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} Dave Holmes of Vulture called it "lived-in and emotional and warm",{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/03/american-idol-recap-season-13-movie-night.html|author=Dave Holmes|title=American Idol Recap: Movie Night|work=Vulture|date=March 13, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} and Colurso described it as "Rough-edged and raspy, imbued with real-deal emotion."{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/03/alabamas_cj_harris_on_american_2.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Alabama's C.J. Harris on 'American Idol': Top 11 performance recap (video, poll)|work=AL.com|date=March 13, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} Doug Gray, an original member of The Marshall Tucker Band, praised Harris' rendition of "Can't You See".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6062731/marshall-tucker-band-feels-the-love-on-both-the-voice-and-american|author=Chuck Dauphin|title=Marshall Tucker Band Feels the Love on Both 'The Voice' and 'American Idol'|magazine=Billboard|date=April 21, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} Harris himself considered it to be one of his two best performances on American Idol, along with his rendition of John Mayer's "Gravity".{{cite interview|url=https://www.goldderby.com/article/2014/cj-harris-c-j-american-idol-entertainment-news-739614825/|subject=C.J. Harris|interviewer=Tom O'Neil|title=C.J. Harris on 'American Idol': My peak moments — 'Gravity' and mom (exclusive video)|type=video|work=Gold Derby|date=April 25, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}}

{{Main|American Idol (season 13)}}

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• {{note|1|Note 1}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in this particular night, Harris was among the bottom 3, but was declared safe, as Majesty Rose was eliminated.
• {{note|2|Note 2}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in this particular night, Harris was among the bottom 3, but was declared safe, as Sam Woolf was saved by the judges.
• {{note|3|Note 3}} Due to the judges using their one save on Sam Woolf, the top 8 remained intact for another week.
• {{note|4|Note 4}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in this particular night, Harris was among the bottom 2, but was declared safe, as Malaya Watson was eliminated.

File:C.J. Harris and Jessica Meuse.jpg during the American Idol season 13 tour.]]

Shortly after his time on American Idol, Harris reunited with Darius Rucker for a performance at The Grand Ole Opry, participated in American Idol{{'}}s season 13 tour, and performed at the 2014 Foothills Festival in his hometown of Jasper.{{cite web|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/08/jason_isbell_cj_harris_vallejo.html|author=Mary Colurso|title=Jason Isbell, C.J. Harris, Vallejo, Banditos on lineup for 2014 Foothills Festival in Jasper, Alabama|work=AL.com|date=August 28, 2014|accessdate=July 20, 2020}} He then moved to Nashville, where he became roommates for a time with his fellow season 13 finalists Alex Preston and Sam Woolf.{{cite web|url=http://ticket.heraldtribune.com/2015/04/15/sam-woolf-and-alex-preston-with-rick-derringer-in-palmetto/|author=Wade Tatangelo|title=Sam Woolf and Alex Preston with Rick Derringer in Palmetto|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=April 15, 2015|accessdate=July 19, 2020}} In a post-Idol interview, Harris said that his preferred musical direction would be "a mix between country, blues, soul and Southern rock."

In 2019, Harris released his debut single, "In Love".{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owPx1Xg8f-Q|people=CJ Harris|title=CJ Harris – In Love|medium=video|publisher=CJ Harris|date=December 2, 2019|accessdate=July 19, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2023-01-16 |title=C.J. Harris Dies: 'American Idol' Contestant Was 31 |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/c-j-harris-dead-american-idol-contestant-was-31-1235223512/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1= |last2= |first2= |date=January 16, 2023 |title=Former 'American Idol' contestant C.J. Harris dies at 31 |url=https://ew.com/music/cj-harris-dead-american-idol-season/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=EW.com |language=en}} At the time of his death in 2023, he was planning on releasing new music.{{Cite web |title='American Idol' Alum C.J. Harris Dead at 31 |author=Rachel DeSantis|url=https://people.com/music/american-idol-contestant-c-j-harris-dead-at-31/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=People |language=en|date=January 16, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |date=2023-01-16 |title=C.J. Harris, Former 'American Idol' Contestant, Dies at 31 |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/cj-harris-dead-american-idol-1235491024/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-16 |title=C.J. Harris, 'American Idol' Alum, Dies at 31 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cj-harris-dead-american-idol-obituary-1235199673/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Harris died at a hospital in Jasper, Alabama, from a heart attack, on January 15, 2023, at the age of 31.{{cite news|url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/cj-harris-dead-former-american-idol-contestant-1235300907/|title = C.J. Harris, Former 'American Idol' Contestant, Dies at 31|last = Thomas|first = Carly|work = The Hollywood Reporter|date = January 16, 2023|accessdate = January 17, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Corbin Bolies,Matt |date=2023-01-16 |title=Ex-'American Idol' Stars Pay Tribute After Finalist Dies |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-american-idol-stars-pay-tribute-after-finalist-cj-harris-dies |access-date=2023-01-18}}{{Cite web |author1=Brenton Blanchet| author2=Rachel DeSantis|title='American Idol' Alum C.J. Harris' Cause of Death Revealed as Heart Attack |url=https://people.com/music/american-idol-alum-cj-harris-cause-of-death-revealed/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |website=People |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=2023-01-19 |title=C.J. Harris' Cause of Death Revealed Following Sudden Passing |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/cj-harris-american-idol-cause-of-death-1235201743/ |access-date=2023-01-21 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

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