EXCLUSIVE: David Archuleta and Kurt Bestor team up for new CD

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – David Archuleta made his television debut on Star Search in 2003 at age 12. The following year, he performed on ABC 4′s “Good Things Utah”. He then went on to compete on “American Idol” where he finished 2nd.

Now, ABC 4 has some big news for fans of the young singer.

Even though he’s begun his LDS mission, we’ve learned he’s cut a new album with a very well known musical producer.

The producer’s name is Kurt Bestor, another beloved Utah artist.

Bestor told ABC 4 that he’s been busy co-producing Archuleta’s newest album. “We were frantic to get it all done before he went on his LDS mission,” Bestor said.

Archuleta is believed to have been assigned to a South American mission in Chile.

Bestor says the two worked together right up until the night before Archuleta left.

“I have to say I was a little hesitant to do it,” Bestor admitted, “but now that I have had a chance to work with him for that intense three weeks. The kid’s amazing.”

Bestor says the result will be an 11 song CD to be released in June or July.

Bestor, a Grammy nominated musician, says it will contain amazing songs, ones that people will know and love.

“The kid is really kind of a phenom and I don’t think people really realize it.”

And while Bestor may not have meant to, he did let one the name of one Archuleta song slip out. “I just did a version of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’…Oops! That’s on the new album, David Archuleta. Nobody knows that.”

Now, to see our entire interview with Kurt Bestor – and the rest of his comments about David Archuleta – tune in to “On the Record.”

It airs Sunday morning at 7:30 right here on ABC 4.

Watch the report HERE.

David singing an impromptu rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with Straight No Chaser after a skating show performance about 2 years ago.

From @jeremyabbottpcf: “Most amazing moment EVER! @SNCmusic & @DavidArchie impromptu rendition of bridge over troubled water. #goosebumps“

A snippet of Bridge Over Troubled Water at :36 (during David’s visit to a gathering of children enrolled in ChildFund programs in the Philippines):

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel:

Click HERE to read the article (with photos) about David’s visit to ChildFund Philippines.

From @kariontour’s tweet:

We found some free time in the Philippines so @DavidArchie spent it with some amazing children. Thanks @ChildFund

…

Moved by the performance that he described as “amazing” and “powerful,” Archuleta took the floor in turn, regaling the children with an a capella rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water,” followed by an encore of Robbie Williams’ “Angels.”

Archuleta then spent time meeting the children in small groups. Though he currently sponsors a child in Honduras, Sunday’s gathering was the first time Archuleta had the opportunity to interact with children in ChildFund’s programs.

…

As the event came to an end, many children said they would long remember this exciting day. As he departed, Archuleta expressed his happiness at meeting the children: “Gosh, I feel so good today! Thank you so much for this experience!”

Read full article HERE.

Click  HERE for more info about the visit (vid and pic).