A former top 10 contestant on American Idol has passed away.
Season 13’s CJ Harris reportedly died after suffering a heart attack in Jasper, Alabama, on Sunday night, according to TMZ. An ambulance transported CJ to a local hospital, but efforts to save him– failed.
CJ blew judges away during his audition in 2014. The 31-year-old crooner sang the Allman Brothers Band’s “Soulshine.”
American Idol judge Keith Urban told the Jasper native, “You sing ’cause you have to sing, not ’cause you want to sing. And I mean that most deeply. And that’s why it’s so believable and real. It’s greater than the sum of its parts.”
CJ was also remembered for his renditions of popular classic songs like “American Woman,” “Free Fallin'” and “Too Close.” The 31-year-old was selected as a wild card during Season 13’s semifinals. He was finally eliminated from the show after making it to the top 6.
The singer also got the opportunity to sing with his idol– former frontman for Hootie And The Blowfish– Darius Rucker. CJ also toured with other season 13 contestants from American Idol.
In December, he shared a reel of himself playing the harmonica and the guitar as he covered The Fray’s “How To Save A Life.”
On January 1, the singer posted on his official Facebook page. CJ wished fans a “Happy New Year” and revealed he was going to bless fans with new music “soon.”
Our condolences to his family!
