Belmont University Student Remembers His Late Father In Emotional Audition For American Idol

19-year-old Freddie McClendon performed an original song in tribute to his dad when he auditioned for Season 23 of “American Idol.” (Photo Credits: American Idol / YouTube)

When Freddie McClendon auditioned for Season 23 of American Idol, he brought the judges to tears with a song about his late father, Davis McClendon.

As TV Insider reports, Davis’ body was found next to his wrecked car at 1 AM on May 7, 2023. Davis had been on a date with his girlfriend, Meredith, shortly before he was killed.

Upon examining the evidence, authorities came to the conclusion Meredith’s estranged husband, Bud Ackerman, intentionally struck and killed Davis. Bud eventually went to trial, and after six days of testimony, the jury found him guilty of the crime. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Davis’ death became a nationwide story and was the subject of a 48 Hours episode. True crime junkies found themselves invested in every detail surrounding his case.

After his dad’s case gained so much notoriety, Freddie made it his mission to “tell the story of his life.“

“He was something so much bigger than just the true crime story of the week…he was our dad,” he said in his introduction before his Idol audition.

“American Idol” contestant Freddie McClendon’s dad, Davis, was killed in May 2023. (Photo Credit: American Idol / YouTube

Freddie McClendon Moves Idol Judges To Tears With Powerful Song About His Father

Now 19, Freddie is a student at Nashville‘s prestigious Belmont University. He recalled visiting “Music City” with his father years ago, who fully believed in Freddie’s musical talents.

After Davis died, Freddie wrote a song in his memory titled “You Never Loved Him.” He played that song for Idol judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.

The judges appeared mesmerized as Freddie performed the heart-wrenching song about his father’s life…and the person who took it from him. They were all holding back tears as Freddie sang:

“We never got to see him one last time. We never got to tell him goodbye. We never got the chance to even try…to warn him that you had lost your mind.”

Emotions reached an all-time high after Freddie finished the song. Lionel took a deep breath, and Carrie asked for a “sec” as she grabbed some tissues.

Pulling herself together but still fighting through her emotions, Carrie said:

“Thank you sir, 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—him—not what happened, but him.”

Lionel doubled down on Carrie’s comments. He told Freddie, “You were able to translate that emotion, that feeling, to the point where you moved people.”

All three judges also agreed they loved the sound of Freddie’s “cool” and “throwback” voice, comparing him to Paul Simon.

Before they gave Freddie their vote, they asked him to bring his family into the audition room. His mom and two sisters cried as the judges each gave him a “yes” vote—and a Golden Ticket to Hollywood!

Watch Freddie McClendon’s tribute to his father below so you fully understand why it moved the judges to tears.