‘I Can Only Imagine’ Wins Canadian Idol

By Justin Camacho, Christian Post Correspondent Monday, September 20, 2004

Last Friday, 18-year old Kalan Porter of Medicine Hat, Alberta was proclaimed the winner of the second season of Canadian Idol, receiving the majority of 3.6 million votes and defeating Theresa Sokyrka of Saskatoon, Sakatchewan along with almost 9,000 other competitors. With a record audience of over 3.3 million watching the final show

During the final show, which was watched by a record-breaking audience of over 3.3 million, Porter, who cites Christian Rock as one of his favorite musical genres, sang three songs, which included “Awake in a Dream,” his newly released single as the show’s winner, Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” and MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine.”

Immediately following his win, Porter signed a recording contract with Lisa Zbitnew, President of BMG Canada Inc, and has already begun working on an album to be released this fall.