#82 Amanda Overmyer

Next on my American Idol finalist countdown is my number 82 American Idol finalist Amanda Overmyer. She got eleventh place on American Idol season 7. Her music genre is hard rock. She is vocally compared to Janis Joplin. She is signed to Chile Records. She has been associated with the bands Steeleto and Ruinaces. She was ranked at number 93 by The Los Angeles Times on their American Idol power rankings list on May 31, 2010. Her musical influences are Bob Seger, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Guns 'n' Roses.

Amanda Lindsay Overmyer was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the capital of Arkansas, on October 26, 1984; her father was serving in the United States Air Force and was stationed there. Overmyer and her family eventually relocated back to Indiana, where she was raised in Camden, Indiana, and attended Delphi Community High School, which serves about 520 students and has the colors black and gold and the mascot Oracle, in Delphi, Indiana. She received a nursing degree from Ivy Tech Community College. Before her stint on American Idol, she worked as a health-care specialist dealing predominantly in respiratory issues.

Some of Overmyer's favorite past gigs were the ones sponsored by ABATE of Indiana. Through this association and its biker members, Overmyer enjoyed another passion, which is Harley Davidson motorcycles. Her immediate family all enjoy motorcycles as well. Overmyer is married to Casey Taylor, her longtime boyfriend from Mulberry, Indiana.

Overmyer always dreamt of a music career, as she competed in 4-H sponsored talent contests at an early age and later in WAZY Idol in Lafayette, Indiana. . In her late teens, Overmyer joined a local band. Since then she has been the lead singer of several bands, including Steeleto and Ruinaces.

Although Overmyer already had a successful career as a nurse, she also was curious to see if she could become a professional musician, and audtioning for American Idol gave her the best chance to test the waters without risk.

Overmyer auditioned for American Idol season 7 in Atlanta, Georgia, with the songs "Turtle Blues" by Big Brother and the Holding Company  and "Travelin' Band" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. The American Idol judges (Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul) have often compared her sound to Janis Joplin. During the first Hollywood Round, she performed "Light My Fire" by The Doors. During the second Hollywood Round, she performed "Piece of My Heart" by Erma Franklin. She was backed by Vote for the Worst, more so for her personality. During top 24 week, she performed "Baby, Please Don't Go" by Big Joe Williams. During top 20 week, she performed "Carry On Wayward Son" by the American rock band called Kansas. During top 16 week, she performed "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. During top 12 week, she performed "You Can't Do That" by The Beatles. After performing "Back in the U.S.S.R." by The Beatles during top 11 week, Overmyer was eliminated from American Idol, putting her in eleventh place, thus missing out on the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2008 along with David Hernandez. Carly Smithson mentioned in her exit interviews that Overmyer was her best friend on the show. As of 2011, Overmyer is the only contestant from Indiana to be an American Idol finalist.

After her stint on American Idol, Overmyer appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet. She has also been performing professionally ever since her stint on American Idol.

On May 24, 2008 Overmyer headlined the Women of Rock show at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. She debuted four original songs, "Play On", "Fail to Compromise", "Fight Like A Son", and "Love Me Like You Want."

Overmyer performed at the Harley Davidson Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 27, 28, and 29, 2008. She also performed at a homecoming gig in Lafayette, Indiana, on September 19, where she debuted new music from her album. On December 10, 2008, Overmyer released her debut album "Solidify". "Play On" was the debut single from the album and is dedicated to her husband. The album is available for digital download on her website, as well as iTunes, Amazon, Tradebit, Napster and Rhapsody. The album was produced by Los Angeles-based producer Rocco Guarino.

The album is also now in most stores in the United States; some states may not have the album yet, but are expected to. To date her biggest show was in her hometown of Lafayette, Indiana, during the time of the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2009, where nearly 14,000 fans of hers came out and watched her perform with her band. In 2009, her band went through a lineup change, and Overmyer auditioned a session guitarist from Purdue University. She is currently working on her sophomore album with her band.