by David Jeffries One of the most likable singers on the third season of the nationally televised talent contest American Idol, George Huff was voted off halfway through the competition but returned to the public eye as a spiritual-pop singer signed to the Christian label Word. Born into poverty in New Orleans, Huff was either in school or at church in his younger years. He began singing at church when he was five and it only took a little word of mouth before he was receiving invitations to sing in neighboring churches. In later years he attended the University of Oklahoma on a full music scholarship, but by the middle of his junior year, the scholarship had been exhausted and George was running out of funds. Taking a chance in hopes of raising the money to finish school, Huff traveled to Houston when the American Idol auditions arrived in the city. He nailed the audition, competed on the show, and made it to the Top Five before being voted off. After returning from the 50-city tour that follows every season of the series, Huff considered his options. Offers from four different record companies were on the table, but he chose the contemporary Christian music label Word. The 2004 release My Christmas EP! was followed a year later by his debut full-length, Miracles. After his hometown was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in September of 2005, Huff participated in numerous fundraising events and concerts.