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“Singing Garbage Man” From “American Idol,” Doug Kiker, Dies At Age 32

By Miranda Raye

on Mar 13, 2025

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American Idol Alum Doug Kiker, Known As “The Singing Garbage Man,” Has Died

The American Idol community is mourning the death of one of its alums, “The Singing Garbage Man” Doug Kiker.

Kiker’s family members shared the news on social media that he recently passed away. His cause of death has not been confirmed as of press time.

Kiker’s brother, William V. Kiker, said:

“Dear brother I just want you to know that [no] matter where you are you will always be my baby brother…”

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker,” his sister, Angela Evans, wrote in a post on Facebook.

She added, “He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many! [You’re] singing with the [angels] now Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go [through] this very difficult time.”

Another family member, Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez, also shared a tribute to Kiker on Facebook. She wrote:

“Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today. He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh. I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him. My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma.”

Donna established a GoFundMe to help her family cover the cost of Kiker’s funeral expenses.

The GoFundMe page states that Kiker was “a beloved son, brother, father, and friend.”

“The Singing Garbage Man” Moved Katy Perry To Tears With His Audition

Five years before his death, “The Singing Garbage Man” competed on the 18th season of American Idol in 2020. He won over the judges with his audition performance of “Bless the Broken Road.”

“Bless the Broken Road” has been recorded by many notable artists, including Rascal Flatts and the Nitty Gritty Dirt band.

Kiker’s cover elicited an emotional reaction from judge Katy Perry, who cried after hearing him sing. He also earned some high praise from judge Lionel Richie, who said:

“For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing: He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody.”

Perry added:

“That was not garbage. It was greatness,”

Kiker, an Alabama native who worked as a garbage collector, earned the nickname “The Singing Garbage Man” after his Idol audition aired. He told the judges he had little singing experience other than singing on the back of his garbage truck.

Still, Kiker proved his talent and received a Golden Ticket to Hollywood. However, he was eliminated during Hollywood Week after singing Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

He later returned to Idol to sing “Bless the Broken Road” again during the finale.

In May 2021, a little over a year after his run on Idol ended, Kiker was arrested and charged with third-degree domestic violence.

Kiker kept out of the spotlight in the last few years before his death.

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