# Clark Beckham

Clark Beckham (born May 15, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. He finished as the runner-up on the fourteenth season of American Idol.

## Early life

Beckham was born in Nashville, Tennessee, but grew up in White House, Tennessee. He is an only child. He graduated from Lee University with a degree in history. Clark got most of his musical experience playing in church and on street corners. In a Christian Post interview Beckham noted that he originally wanted to audition for American Idol at 18 years old, when it came to Nashville, but said that it was not in line with God's will at the time.

## Career
### American Idol

Beckham auditioned for American Idol singing "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World" by James Brown. He was the first contestant at the first city, Nashville, Tennessee, to sing in front of the judges. He passed the audition by a split decision: approved by Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban, disapproved by Harry Connick Jr. During Hollywood week, he sang "Let's Get It On" and "Try a Little Tenderness". In the House of Blues showcase, he sang "Georgia on My Mind", earning his spot in the Top 24.
When asked what one moment stands out for him, Beckham said the time Connick Jr. said, "I don't think you could have done that any better"—after Beckham's performance of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". "Harry's typically been tough on me," said Beckham. "He's like a coach trying to get the best out of me. And I really appreciate that."

#### Performances on American Idol

| Week | Theme | Song(s) | Original artist(s) | Order | Result |
| Auditions | Contestant's choice | "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" | James Brown | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week (Pt. 1) | A Capella | Let's Get It On | Marvin Gaye | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week (Pt. 2) | Group round | "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" | Stevie Wonder | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood Week (Pt. 3) | Solo round | "Try a Little Tenderness" | Otis Redding | N/A | Advanced |
| House of Blues (Top 48) | Contestant's choice | "Georgia on My Mind" | Ray Charles | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 | Contestant's choice | "When a Man Loves a Woman" | Percy Sledge | 6 | Safe |
| Top 16 | Music of Motown | "The Tracks of My Tears" | The Miracles | 5 | Safe |
| Top 12 | "Back to the Start" | "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" | James Brown | 9 | Safe |
| Top 11 (week 1) | "Get the Party Started" | "Takin' It to the Streets" | The Doobie Brothers | 4 | Safe |
| Top 11 (week 2) | Songs from the Movies | "Sunday Morning" (from Cheaper by the Dozen 2) | Maroon 5 | 9 | Safe |
| Top 9 | Songs from the 1980s | "Every Breath You Take" | The Police | 7 | Safe |
| Top 8 | Kelly Clarkson | "The Trouble with Love Is" | Kelly Clarkson | 7 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Billboard Hot 100 | "Make It Rain" | Foy Vance | 5 | Safe |
| Top 6 | "American classics" as deemed by viewers | "Superstition" "Moon River" | Stevie Wonder Audrey Hepburn | 2 7 | Safe |
| Top 5 | "Arena anthems" | "Yesterday" "Boyfriend" | The Beatles Justin Bieber | 3 8 | Safe |
| Top 4 | Judges' Hometown Contestant's own soul | "Living for the City" "Your Man" | Stevie Wonder Josh Turner | 1 5 | Safe |
| Top 3 | Scott Borchetta's Choice Judges' Choice Hometown's Choice | "Beautiful Day" "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" "Earned It" | U2 Otis Redding The Weeknd | 1 5 7 | Safe |
| Top 2 | Favorite Performance Simon Fuller's Choice Winner's Single | "Georgia on My Mind" "Ain't No Sunshine" "Champion" | Ray Charles Bill Withers Clark Beckham | 1 3 5 | Runner-up |
| Finale | Encore with original artist | "Centuries" (Feat. Fall Out Boy & Nick Fradiani) "Takin' It to the Streets" (Feat. Michael McDonald) | Fall Out Boy The Doobie Brothers | N/A | Runner-up |

### Post-Idol

Beckham has been using his post-Idol expertise in the creation of a YouTube video channel about American Idol. In May 2021, he appeared on the Talent Recap show to discuss the nineteenth season finale. Beckham will also appear in the upcoming film An Old Song.

## Discography
### Albums

* 2013: Clark Beckham (EP)
* 2014: Songs About Her (EP)
* 2015: Champion
* 2015: American Idol Season 14: Best of Clark Beckham
* 2018: Year One (EP)
* 2020: Light Year

## Accolades

| Year | Association | Category | Result |
| 2015 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Music: Next Big Thing | Nominated |