'Idol' Contestants Found Their Voices First at Church

Doolittle attends the same Nashville church as gospel artist CeCe Winans and sang backup on one of her CDs. On the "American Idol" Web site, Doolittle said her personal goals are to "represent Christ well and do everything 150 percent."

Demetrus Stewart, president of the PureSprings Gospel Label that features Winans and other artists, said the style of many black churches gives singers the ability to do the musical runs and note-stretching that bring audiences to their feet. It's the kind of sound that differentiates R&B from pop, she said, and urban gospel from contemporary Christian music.

"You've got to be able to, in the words of our slang, throw down," said Stewart, who is African American.

Sam Patton, a music director at New United Church in Chattanooga, said the range of church music -- including elements of jazz and R&B, country and classical -- helps prepare artists, such as former "Idol" celebrities Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, for musical careers.

"It's easier for them because they have sung so many different styles in church," said Patton, who also was at the Washington conference. "With praise and worship evolving like it is, you have to be versatile."

Sometimes that versatility leads to appearances at talent shows -- whether secular, like "Idol," or religious. Trinity Broadcasting Network and the Gospel Music Channel have produced Christian talent competitions. Current "Idol" contestant Jordin Sparks placed second in the Gospel Music Association's "Music in the Rockies" competition in 2005.

"The 'American Idol' syndrome is even spilling over in the church, so there are several within the Christian gospel community," Stewart said.

Banks reported from Washington. York, a reporter for the Flint Journal, reported from Flint, Mich.