Turlock native to appear on ‘American Idol’ Turlock Christian graduate Ashlyn Ruder will perform a song she wrote for her father during her “American Idol” audition, set to premiere this weekend (Photo contributed). Growing up, Turlock native Ashlyn Ruder could turn anything into a stage. From her grandmother’s bed where she’d belt out “The Sound of Music” to the tailgate of her dad’s truck performing the songs she had written, music has always served as a way for the 22-year old to express herself. On Sunday, Ruder will sing on one of the world’s biggest stages when she appears on the newest episode of “American Idol” in its 19th season.