Melinda Doolittle

Melinda Marie Doolittle (born October 6, 1977) is an American singer who finished as the third-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. Prior to her appearance on American Idol, Doolittle worked as a professional back-up singer for, among others, Michael McDonald, Kirk Franklin, Aaron Neville, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Alabama, Jonny Lang, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Anointed.

Doolittle was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Steve and Marguerite Duke Doolittle , she considers Brentwood, Tennessee to be home; her Homecoming was held there after she made the Top 3 on American Idol Season 6. She graduated from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1995. Although she has been singing since the seventh grade, her professional career did not begin until 1999. She was a music major at Belmont University. Since college, her vocal instruction has been provided by Janet Kenyon. - American Idol Wiki