Freddie McClendon, a 19-year-old Belmont University student from Greenwood, South Carolina, captivated the judges of American Idol with his heartfelt tribute to his late father, Davis McClendon, during his audition. The emotional performance earned him a golden ticket to Hollywood and praise from country music star Luke Bryan, who referred to him as a “modern-day Paul Simon.”
The tragic backstory behind Freddie's audition is deeply moving. On May 7, 2023, Davis McClendon was killed in a shocking hit-and-run incident that left the family devastated. At the time of his death, he was just 46 years old. Freddie recalled one poignant memory shared with his father: “One of my favorite memories, I was around 15 years old, and my dad took me to Nashville for the first time. Seeing Music City and seeing Broadway, and he told me, he said, Freddie, that’s going to be you one day.”
Following his father’s untimely death, Freddie found his calling in music and began to write original songs as a way to process his grief. “I’ve been writing music since I was about a freshman in high school, but I really started doing it seriously about a year ago,” he explained during the audition. “My dad passed away, and it became a national and statewide news story. Everyone was focusing on his death, and I wanted to tell the story of his life.”
Freddie performed an original song titled “You Never Loved Him,” which encapsulates the essence of his father's life rather than the circumstances of his death. He expressed his intent clearly: “I miss him every day and while you’re already dealing with his death, you got to deal with all of these people talking about the person that he was when they didn’t know him like we did. He was something so much bigger than just the true-crime story of the week. He was our dad, and he meant the world to us.”
Freddie's emotional delivery resonated profoundly with the judges, bringing Carrie Underwood to tears. She struggled to find the words to express her feelings but managed to say, “Thank you for bringing that and sharing your heart. It’s so brave of you to decide that you want to choose the narrative — that you want to remember him, not what happened, but him.”
Luke Bryan echoed her sentiments and remarked on Freddie's talent, stating, “You’ve got like a really honest approach at this time. It’s like our little modern-day Paul Simon or something.” Lionel Richie praised Freddie for his ability to connect emotionally with the audience, declaring that such a skill is essential in the entertainment industry.
The backstory of Freddie’s father, Davis, is equally poignant. The murder case gained notoriety, becoming a subject of various true-crime discussions, especially after the details surrounding how he died were revealed. Initially thought to be an accident, investigations uncovered that Davis had been intentionally crushed between his own car and another vehicle in an incident involving William “Bud” Ackerman Jr., who was later convicted of the crime and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Freddie took this tragic narrative and turned it into a tribute of love and remembrance through his music. His performance on American Idol was a way to honor his father’s legacy. Reflecting on the moment he received his golden ticket to Hollywood, he said, “I’m so proud that I was able to tell my dad’s story, and it meant the world that it resonated with Carrie Underwood.”
The 2025 season of American Idol aired the rookie musician’s audition episode on March 23, 2025. Millions tuned in, witnessing his journey as he pursued a music career while keeping the memory of his father alive. The show not only serves as a platform for aspiring artists but also brings meaningful stories to the forefront.
Freddie McClendon is set to continue sharing his music and plans to re-release his poignant song “You Never Loved Him” as part of an album titled “Present Memories.” He expresses hope for a future filled with music and memories that honor his father and his family, stating, “There’s whispers of me possibly releasing another album this summer.”
The emotional narrative of Freddie McClendon shines a light not just on melodic talent, but also on the powerful connections forged through music and storytelling. His journey is a testament to resilience amid personal tragedy and reflects the innate desire to ensure that loved ones are remembered well.
As Freddie’s journey unfolds, the world watches carefully, eager to see how he continues his story both on and off the stage. American Idol returns for more auditions the following weekend, ensuring that fans get to witness more hopeful performers sharing their dreams and stories.
