” Very impressive. So Kris is competing against a seasoned professional? “
All the final 4 have some degree of professional/more than true amateur background.
Allison won the equivalent of Idol in a Spanish/English Telemundo competition also collecting $50,000. Not well publicized by searchable.
(Two years ago, Iraheta was the winner of Quinceañera: Mama Quiero Ser Artista, an Idol-styled singing competition on Telemundo.)
Danny teaches singing. Not exactly an amateur.
Chris has produced and recorded his own album prior to Idol.
Yes, Adam in comparison is a pro having had broadway show type experience. Wicked for example.
Let the best person win in the end. These are not newbies to the music profession.
What's their rule on experience? Some of them are in local bands that play for money, but broadway and commercial CDs seems professional to me.
He was plucked out of a very small worship choir to act as director - I don't believe he had ever performed "professionally" in any capacity
If I may interject a comment: I travel a lot to Memphis and frequently pass by Sun Studios where Elvis recorded and where anyone even today can walk in and record and produce their own album. There is a vast difference between the "professional" experiences of Kris and Adam.