Kris Allen

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Kristopher Neil Allen (born June 21, 1985), better known as Kris Allen, is an American singer-songwriter from Conway, Arkansas, and the winner of the eighth season of American Idol
Prior to Idol, he self-released a 2007 album entitled Brand New Shoes
Kris Allen was born in Jacksonville, Arkansas, to Kimberly (n�e Wood) and Neil Allen
He is the elder of two sons; his younger brother, Daniel, is a college cheerleading coach
Allen is a Christian and served as assistant music director at the non-denominational New Life Church in both Conway, Arkansas, and Little Rock, Arkansas
Allen has participated in missionary work around the world, including in Burma, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain and Thailand
He began playing the viola in elementary school and went on to play the instrument in the Mills University Studies High School orchestra, eventually winning a spot in the Arkansas all-state orchestra
Additionally, he taught himself to play the guitar at age 13, and also plays the piano
His musical influences, as stated in his Idol confessionals, include the Beatles, Jamie Cullum, Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Michael Jackson
On October 25, 2009, live at the Miami Dolphins tailgate party, Allen debuted 3 songs from his self-titled album: "Can't Stay Away", "Written All Over My Face", and "Before We Become Undone"