Kimberley Dawn Locke, born January 3, 1978, in Hartsville, Tennessee, is an American singer and songwriter. She began singing at age five in her local church and later formed a quartet with friends called Shadz of U. Locke's breakthrough came with her participation in the second season of American Idol in 2003, where she finished third. Following her success on the show, she signed with Curb Records and released her debut album, One Love, on May 4, 2004. The album featured the single "8th World Wonder", which reached Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her second album, Based On a True Story, was released on May 1, 2007, and included the hit single "Band of Gold". In 2009, Locke parted ways with Curb Records and signed with Randy Jackson's Dream Merchant 21 record label, releasing the single "Strobelight" in April 2010. She later founded her own entertainment company, I AM Entertainment, and released the dance-themed EP Four For The Floor on July 19, 2011. Notable singles include "Silver Bells" (November 1, 2011) and collaborations like "Feel the Love" with British production team Cahill in 2013. Locke has also ventured into children's music and Christmas albums, releasing You're My Baby in May 2021 and Christmas Is Here in September 2021. Compilation album Best of Kimberley Locke, featuring her singles and new recordings, including "Keep On (Falling in Love)", was released in 2023.
