Freddie McClendon, a 19-year-old aspiring musician from Greenville, South Carolina, moved the judges and audience of American Idol with a heartfelt original song dedicated to his late father, Davis McClendon. His emotional performance on Season 23 of the show highlighted the deep pain and love he felt for his father, who was tragically murdered in 2023.
The Tragic Story of Davis McClendon
Davis McClendon was a Greenwood, South Carolina-based marketing director at an assisted living facility and retirement community, who was killed at age 46 in May 2023.
Initially believed to be a victim of a hit-and-run accident, further investigations revealed that he had been deliberately killed. The perpetrator, William "Bud" Ackerman Jr., was the estranged husband of Davis’s girlfriend. Following a trial, Ackerman was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Freddie McClendon's emotional tribute to his late father
Freddie McClendon’s American Idol audition featured an original song titled You Never Loved Him, which he wrote in memory of his father. His heartfelt lyrics and raw emotion resonated deeply with the judges, especially Carrie Underwood, who was brought to tears. He performed a moving original song about his late father, Davis McClendon, who was killed in May 2023. Luke Bryan described Freddie as a “modern-day Paul Simon,” while Lionel Richie praised his ability to convey deep emotions through music.
Freddie shared that his motivation for writing and performing the song was to honor his father’s legacy, ensuring that he was remembered for more than just the tragic headlines. “My dad was so much bigger than just the true-crime story of the week,” he expressed, hoping to give the world a glimpse of the man Davis truly was.
Moving Forward in the Competition
Freddie’s powerful performance earned him unanimous approval from the judges, sending him to the next round of the competition. His journey on American Idol now serves as both a personal tribute and an inspiring story of resilience and love through music.
