Although not the first contestant to play his own instrument on American Idol, Kris Allen benefitted more than most from the experience, and his coffeehouse singer/songwriter vibe earned him a first place finish in 2009. Pitted against powerhouse vocalist Adam Lambert during the show’s finale, Allen emphasized his wide-ranging abilities as a musician, playing piano during a cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine” and strumming the guitar for an acoustic take on Kanye West’s “Heartless.” The instrumental accompaniment paid off, as Allen won the competition. The singer hit the road shortly thereafter on the annual American Idol tour. He also prepped his debut album for release in late 2009, working with songwriters and producers, including Eg White, Chris Daughtry, and David Hodges. The album’s first single, “Live Like We’re Dying,” was released in September and peaked at number 89 on the singles charts, followed two months later by Allen’s self-titled debut album. Allen returned in 2012 with his sophomore album, Thank You Camellia. Purportedly named after his house in Los Angeles, the album finds Allen working with a handful of producer/songwriters, including former Sugarcult singer Tim Pagnotta, Nasri & Adam Messinger, and Boots Ottestad, among others. In 2016, Allen released Letting You In. Kris Allen continues to tour the globe.