A powerful performance on American Idol has left judges and audiences in awe, as 19-year-old Freddie McClendon shared an original song dedicated to his late father, Davis McClendon.
During his audition, McClendon revealed that his father was murdered in May 2023, and that he had been working on music seriously for about a year as a way to cope with the loss.
McClendon’s song, “You Never Loved Him,” told the story of his father’s life, beyond the sensationalized headlines surrounding his death.
Davis McClendon’s murder was highly publicized, with his killer, William “Bud” Ackerman, sentenced to 45 years in prison in October 2024.
Freddie McClendon’s emotional performance brought judge Carrie Underwood to tears, as she praised him for sharing his story and remembering his father in a positive light.
“You must have an incredibly supportive family,” Underwood said. “It was a good song, and you could just feel your heart behind it.”
McClendon received a unanimous “yes” from the judges, securing a golden ticket to Hollywood and the next round of the competition.
“I’m so proud that I was able to tell my dad’s story,” McClendon said after his audition. “And it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie Underwood and that was incredible. I’m beyond blessed.”
