Overmyer was born in Little Rock, AR, in 1984 while her father served there in the United States Air Force. Overmyer and her family eventually moved back to Indiana where she grew up in Camden, Indiana and attended Delphi Community High School, in Delphi, Indiana.
In her late teens, Overmyer joined a local band. Since then she has also been the lead singer of several bands, including Steeleto and Ruinaces. She lists Bob Seger, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Guns 'n' Roses as among her chief influences.
She received a nursing degree from Ivy Tech Community College, and is a health-care specialist dealing predominantly in respiratory issues. Amanda is from Lafayette, IN, which is Axl Rose's hometown.
As a young girl competing in 4-H sponsored talent contests and later in WAZY Idol in Lafayette, Indiana, Amanda always dreamt of a career in music. Although Overmeyer already has a successful career as a nurse, she also has an urge to see if a professional music career could be her future. For Overmyer, trying out for American Idol gave her the best chance to test the waters without risk.
Since her elimination she has been slated to play at The Whisky a Go Go bar in West Hollywood, and is also reportedly in talks to play her real-life musical influence Janis Joplin in a film about the aforementioned bar