Connecticut native Nick Fradiani (born Nicholas James Fradiani IV) is a singer/musician who found fame as the winner of the 14th season of American Idol. Born into a musical household with a musician father who gave him a drum kit while he was still a toddler, Fradiani was not new to the music industry when he auditioned in New York for the singing competition. With his adult alternative-friendly vocals, he was lead singer and guitarist for the Milford, Connecticut-based band Beach Avenue, which also featured his father, Nick Fradiani III, on keyboards; Nick Abraham on lead guitar; Jonah Ferrigno on bass; and Ryan Zipp on drums. Prior to their singer's TV championship, Beach Avenue released two EPs, Something to Believe In in 2012 and Driving That Road in 2013. Idol wasn't Fradiani's first experience with national TV talent competitions, either; in 2014 he and bandmates Abraham and Zipp appeared early in the ninth season of America's Got Talent before being eliminated. "Coming Your Way," the original song they performed on the show, hit the digital charts as a result of the exposure. After winning American Idol in May of 2015, Fradiani's winner's song, "Beautiful Life," was released, and he headlined the American Idol tour of the U.S. that summer while beginning work on his debut album. Hurricane was released by Dot Records in August 2016. ~ Marcy Donelson