Alex Preston (singer)

Alex Preston
Birth name Alexander Preston Philbrick
Born May 6, 1993
United States
Genres Indie folk, folk-pop, folk rock, indie pop
Occupation(s) Singer
Instruments Vocals, guitar
Years active 2014-present

Alexander Preston Philbrick (born May 6, 1993),[1] better known as Alex Preston, is an American singer from Mont Vernon, New Hampshire,[2] who was a finalist on the thirteenth season of American Idol, coming in third place.

Early life

Alex Preston was born and raised in Mont Vernon, New Hampshire.[1] He wrote his first song called "Fish Food" when he was 12. He attended Souhegan High School in Amherst, New Hampshire where he played the guitar in a jazz band, and in the percussion section in concert and a marching band.[3] He also formed a band with friends, Dustin Newhouse, Josh Brackett and Tucker Brown, called Undertow.[1] He graduated from high school in 2011,[4] and studied at the University of New Hampshire.[5]

Preston has written songs with his cousin Jo Dee Messina, the rock band Framing Hanley, and Aria Summer. His song was used in the CD "Voices for Heroes," a benefit for Sandy Hook.[6] He won the "Open For MixFest" competition organized by a radio station to open for acts such as Backstreet Boys, Gavin DeGraw and Of Monsters and Men.[6] His single "The Light Was Already Here" was released in September 2013.[7]

American Idol

Episode Theme Song choice Original artist Order Result
Audition Auditioner's Choice "Fairytales" (original composition) Alex Preston N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 1 A Capella "Scream & Shout" will.i.am feat. Britney Spears N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 2 Group Performance Not aired Not aired N/A Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 3 Solo "Fairytales" (original composition) Alex Preston N/A Advanced
Top 31 (10 Men) Personal Choice "Volcano" Damien Rice 7 Advanced
Top 13 This Is Me "A Beautiful Mess" Jason Mraz 9 Safe
Top 12 Home "I Don't Want to Be" Gavin DeGraw 2 Safe
Top 11 Songs from the Movies "Falling Slowly" Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová 9 Safe
Top 10 Billboard Top 10 "Story of My Life" One Direction 4 Safe
Top 9 I'm with the Band! "Don't Speak" No Doubt 1 Safe
Top 8 Back to the Start Duet "Just Give Me a Reason"
with Jena Irene		 Pink feat. Nate Ruess 2 Safe
Solo "Fairytales" (original composition) Alex Preston 12
Top 8[lower-alpha 1] Songs from the 1980s Duet "The Girl Is Mine"
with Sam Woolf		 Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney 3 Safe
Solo "Every Breath You Take" The Police 9
Top 7 Competitors' Choice Duet "Let Her Go"
with Sam Woolf		 Passenger 3 Safe
Solo "The A Team" Ed Sheeran 7
Top 6 Rock 'n' Roll "Animal" Neon Trees 4 Safe
Country "Always on My Mind" Brenda Lee 9
Top 5 America's Requests Solo "Sweater Weather" The Neighbourhood 1 Safe
Trio "Best Day of My Life"
with Jena Irene & Sam Woolf		 American Authors 3
Solo "Say Something" A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera 8
Top 4 Love Songs "Too Close" Alex Clare 3 Safe
"I'm Yours" Jason Mraz 8
"Yellow" Coldplay 12
Top 3 Randy Jackson's Choice "Pompeii" Bastille 2 Eliminated
Judges' Choice "Stay" Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko 5
Hometown's Choice "Story of My Life" One Direction 8
  1. ↑ Due to the judges using their one save on Sam Woolf, the top 8 remained intact for another week.

Discography

Digital singles

Year Song Album
2013 "The Light Was Already Here" Non-album single
2014 "Story of My Life"
"Don't Speak"
"Fairytales"
"Every Breath You Take"
"The A Team"
"Animal"
"Say Something"
"Too Close"

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fred Bronson (March 20, 2014). "American Idol' Season 13: Alex Preston Gets Feedback From His Country-Star Cousin". The Hollywood Reporter.
  2. ↑ "Who Is Alex Preston? American Idol 2014 Contestant Background Info". WetPaint.
  3. ↑ "‘American Idol’ finalist Alex Philbrick, aka Alex Preston, tuned up before contest at Nashua’s North Main Music By Don Himsel". The Telegraph. March 4, 2014.
  4. ↑ Kimberly Houghton (February 13, 2014). "NH man moves up ranks in 'American Idol' competition". NewHampshire.com.
  5. ↑ Kimberly Houghton (March 14, 2014). "Alex Preston makes top 10; will tour with 'American Idol'". NewHampshire.com.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lily O’Gara. "Singing in the spotlight: Former UNH student has big plans". The New Hampshire.
  7. ↑ "The Light Was Already Here: Alex Preston".

External links