Michael Alexander Lynche (born May 31, 1983) is an American R&B singer and songwriter who was the fourth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol and the second finalist on the series ever to receive the judges' save, which had been introduced in the prior season. Lynche went on to release a self-titled debut album in 2012. The lead single from that album, "Who's Gonna Love You More", reached the top twenty-five on Billboard's Adult R&B chart. Since the release of his album, he has formed a live touring group, Michael Lynche and the Black Saints.
Michael Lynche | |
|---|---|
 Michael Lynche in July 2010. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Alexander Lynche |
| Also known as | Big Mike |
| Born | May 31, 1983 |
| Origin | Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States |
| Genres | R&B, pop |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Big3 Records[1] |
Early life
editLynche was born to Michele and Marque Lynche, Sr. His older brother Marque, Jr., a former mouseketeer on the All-New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to 1995, and semi-finalist on the third season of American Idol, died on December 6, 2015.[2] His musical influences are Lauryn Hill, Maxwell and Al Green.[3]
Before Idol, Lynche was a football player at Gibbs High School and the University of Central Florida. He played two seasons at University of Central Florida and later dropped out in 2003 to take care of his ailing mother.[3] His mother died the following year of pancreatic cancer.
American Idol
editLynche auditioned in Orlando, Florida on July 9, 2009. He sang Unchained Melody by Alex North to all four judges, including guest judge Kristin Chenoweth.
During Hollywood Week, Lynche received news via telephone that his wife, Christa, had gone into labor and given birth to his daughter Laila Rose. A week after Hollywood Week taping ended, his father revealed to a local newspaper that his son had made it into American Idol's Top 24, thus violating a confidentiality agreement with the show. Fox declined to comment on the report.[4]
Since Lynche was among the top 10 finalists, he was part of the American Idol 2010 summer tour.
On April 7, 2010, Lynche was the lowest vote-getter and would have been eliminated from the competition, but the judges used their only save on him.
Lynche was eliminated from the competition on May 12, 2010, thus finishing in fourth place.
Performances
edit- ^Note 1 Lynche received the lowest number of votes; however, the judges decided to use their one save for the season to allow him to remain in the competition, resulting in two eliminations the following week.
- ^Note 2 Due to the judges using their one save to save Lynche, the Top 9 remained intact for another week.
- ^Note 3 Lynche was saved first from elimination.
- ^Note 4 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in the particular night, Lynche was in the bottom two but declared safe when Aaron Kelly was eliminated.
Post Idol
editAfter participating on American Idol, Lynche joined the rest of the ninth season Top 10 on the American Idols Live! Tour 2010. His 3-song set included "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush, "Ready for Love" by India.Arie, and "My Love" by Justin Timberlake. He also appeared alongside Casey James to perform their duet, "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" by Bryan Adams during James' set. He signed to Big3 Records and released two singles from his self-titled debut album: "Who's Gonna Love You More" and "Today".[citation needed] The former peaked at No. 25 on Billboard's Adult R&B chart and at No. 84 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.[5][6] The latter reached No. 39 on Mediabase's Adult Contemporary chart.[7]
Lynche went on a diet and lost ninety pounds, while recording his debut album.[8] Since the release of his album, he has performed live shows as lead singer of the group Michael Lynche and the Black Saints.[9][10][11] He has also collaborated with conductor Jeff Tyzik on live orchestra shows.[12] In 2012, Lynche released the four-track EP Christmas Gift, which features two original songs - the title track and "Every Merry Christmas".[13][14]
In December 2015, The Oakland Press reported that Lynche was in the process of developing a second album.[12] An original song, "There Will Be Love", which was written for that album, has been performed by Lynche during his concerts and TV appearances.[12][15][16]
In 2018, Lynche was cast in the independent comedy film American Reject, which was directed by Marlo Hunter and written by Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone, who stars in the film; Monteleone drew inspiration for the screenplay from her experience competing on the reality television series Grease: You're the One That I Want![17][18] American Reject was released through video on demand by 1091 Pictures on April 12, 2022.[19][20] The film features original songs written by composer Derek Gregor and lyricist Selda Sahin.[17][18][21]
Discography
editAlbums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [22] | |||
| Michael Lynche |
|
— |
EPs
edit| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Christmas Gift |
Singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Adult R&B [5] |
US R&B /HH [6] | ||||
| 2012 | "Who's Gonna Love You More" | 25 | 84 | ||
| "Today" | — | — | |||
References
edit- ^ "Michael Lynche label signing".
- ^ "'American Idol' Season 3 Alum Marque 'Tate' Lynche Dead at 34". Billboard.
- ^ a b "Michael Lynche Biography". Tvguide.com. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
- ^ "Report: Idol Contestant Cut After Dad Talks to Paper". People. January 2, 2010. Archived from the original on January 28, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
- ^ a b "Chart History: Michael Lynche (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Chart History: Michael Lynche (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Radio Idols: Kelly Clarkson, Phillip Phillips and more". USA Today. September 3, 2012.
- ^ Dimas Sanfiorenzo (September 11, 2012). ""American Idol" Standout Michael Lynche On Who Would Make The Perfect Judge & How He Lost 90 Pounds!". Global Grind. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- ^ Michael Lynche (2014). "Michael Lynche and The Black Saints – Touring Project". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Happenings In Astoria". Queens Scene. November 1, 2014. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ "Michael Lynche and the Black Saints". The Piedmont Virginian. April 27, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c Gary Graff (December 29, 2015). "Sound Check: Former finalist says "Idol" has "run its course"". The Oakland Press. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ Michael Lynche - Christmas Gift Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved December 8, 2023
- ^ "Christmas Gift - Michael Lynche". Spotify. November 19, 2012.
- ^ Michael Lynche (January 19, 2017). There Will Be Love – Michael Lynche & The Black Saints (video). Michael Lynche. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ Michael Lynche, Carley Boyette, Natalie Taylor (April 6, 2018). Michael Lynche Performs with Florida Orchestra (video). ABC Action News. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Odds & Ends: Annaleigh Ashford & Keala Settle Cast in New Film American Reject & More". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Marlo Hunter's directorial debut toys with the actuality of reality TV fame". Hero. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
- ^ Ravindran, Manori (December 13, 2021). "'American Reject,' Music Comedy About Reality Singing Competition, Scores U.S. Deal With 1091 Pictures (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ "Kathleen Monteleone: How 'American Reject' Gave Me A 'Perspective' On My Reality Show Past". Hollywood Life. April 7, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- ^ Harada, Wayne (August 11, 2018). "Ruthie Ann Miles returns to stage after tragic accident". Honolulu Star - Advertiser.
- ^ Mansfield, Brian (March 2, 2012). "'Idol' album sales: Clarkson, Daughtry, Studdard". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved March 28, 2012.