Amanda Overmyer
Amanda Overmyer at the American Idol, Season 7, Top 12 after party on March 6, 2008.
Amanda Overmyer at the American Idol, Season 7, Top 12 after party on March 6, 2008.
Background information
Birth nameAmanda Lindsay Overmyer
Born (1984-10-26) October 26, 1984 (age 39)
GenresSouthern rock Blues rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active2008–present
Websiteovermyerproductions.com

Amanda Lindsay Overmyer (born October 26, 1984)[1][2] is an American rock singer-songwriter who was the eleventh place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol.[3]

Biography

Overmyer grew up in Camden, Indiana, and attended Delphi Community High School in Delphi, Indiana.[3] She began singing in bands as a teenager, and followed the styles of Southern rock musicians that her dad listened to, like Bob Seger, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Led Zeppelin.[1] She often played at biker rallies.[4]

She eventually left music, and earned nursing degree from Ivy Tech Community College and started to work in healthcare.[1][3]

American Idol

Overview

She tried out for American Idol to give music one more try.[1] She became known as the "biker chick" and her sound was compared to Janis Joplin.[3] Overmyer was eliminated on the March 19, 2008, episode of American Idol, putting her in 11th place.[3]

The American Idol judges have often compared her sound to Janis Joplin. Overmyer was eliminated on the March 19, 2008, episode of American Idol, putting her in 11th place and just missing out on the tour.

After her ouster on the April 23, 2008, episode, fellow finalist Carly Smithson stated in her post-exit interviews that Amanda Overmyer had been her favorite singer of the competition.

Overmyer is currently the only contestant from Indiana to become a finalist in American Idol history.

Performances

Week # Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Audition N/A "Turtle Blues"
"Travelin' Band" 		Big Brother and the Holding Company
Creedence Clearwater Revival 		N/A Advanced
Hollywood N/A "Light My Fire" The Doors N/A Advanced
Hollywood N/A "Piece of My Heart" Erma Franklin N/A Advanced
Top 24 (12 Women) 1960s "Baby, Please Don't Go" Big Joe Williams 4 Safe
Top 20 (10 Women) 1970s "Carry On Wayward Son" Kansas 6 Safe
Top 16 (8 Women) 1980s "I Hate Myself for Loving You" Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 3 Safe
Top 12 Lennon–McCartney "You Can't Do That" The Beatles 9 Safe
Top 11 The Beatles "Back in the U.S.S.R." The Beatles 1 Eliminated

Post-Idol

After her elimination from American Idol, Overmyer made appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.

On May 24, 2008, Overmyer headlined the Women of Rock show at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California.[5]

On December 10, 2008, Overmyer released her debut album "Solidify". "Play On" was the debut single from the album and is dedicated to her husband.[6]

Her biggest show was in her hometown of Lafayette, Indiana during the summer of 2009, where nearly 14,000 fans came out and watched her perform with her band. In 2009, her band went through a lineup change, and Overmyer auditioned a session guitarist from Purdue University.[7]

Overmyer and her band have toured extensively, chiefly in the midwest, since her appearance on Idol through 2014. She announced on YouTube in November 2013 that, in addition to future live shows, she will be writing new music for an upcoming album.[8]

Discography

Albums

Solidify
Studio album by
Amanda Overmyer
ReleasedDecember 10, 2008 (online)
2009 (In store)
Recorded2008
GenreHard rock
LabelChile Records
ProducerRocco Guarino

Track listing

  1. "Fail to Compromise"
  2. "Love Me Like You Want"
  3. "Hole in the Wall"
  4. "Play On"
  5. "Call Your Mama"
  6. "Fight Like a Son"
  7. "Lay It Down"
  8. "Varmint Rifle"
  9. "Iroquois Lane"
  10. "A Long Time"
  11. "Let's Take It Outside"
  12. "Pray"

Singles

References

  1. ^ a b c d de Yampert, Rick (May 27, 2011). "Amanda Overmyer of 'American Idol' ready to rock Daytona". Daytona Beach News.
  2. ^ "Oct. 26 celebrity birthdays". October 26, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e Soria, Melissa (July 30, 2008). "Life after 'American Idol'". Pharos Tribune. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008.
  4. ^ Dixon, Delaina (March 26, 2008). "Commercial break with American Idol's Amanda Overmyer". OKmagazine.com (Internet Archive). OK!. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  5. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (May 25, 2008). "Amanda Overmyer Hits The Whisky". Yahoo Music. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008.
  6. ^ Soria, Melissa. "Life after 'American Idol'" Archived October 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Pharos-Tribune. July 30, 2008.
  7. ^ Colbrese, Ben. "Student guitarist to audition with ‘Idol’ star" Archived August 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Purdue Exponent. April 10, 2009.
  8. ^ Amanda Overmyer Performs New Song 'Midwest Housewife' ". November 14, 2013.


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