Hunter Metts Gives Luke Bryan the ‘Real Deal Chills’ with ‘American Idol’ Audition

Former software engineer, 22-year-old Hunter Metts from Franklin, Tennessee, returned to American Idol for the third time this season and…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

February 28, 2021

8:43 pm

Hunter Metts, Luke Bryan

Former software engineer, 22-year-old Hunter Metts from Franklin, Tennessee, returned to American Idol for the third time this season and had judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie predicting he’ll go far in the competition.

His performance of “All The Pretty Girls” by KALEO nearly brought Bryan to tears.

“Woah, man, there was one note you hit that man I got the real deal chills,” the country superstar told him following his performance.

“Real deal chills,” Perry added. “I went future planning! I was like I literally pulled up my ‘Mission Impossible’ thing and I was like ‘Hunter Metts Top 10!’”

Equally impressed, Richie told Metts, “See, we got plans for you son. You understand me? All you got to do is just stay in your lane and take us on a journey.”

After requesting that his sister join them in the room for their decision, Bryan confessed, “I almost started crying when he hit that one note.”

With his sister, Maddie, by his side, Metts learned his fate with all three judges giving him a golden ticket.

“Hunter Metts, I think you’re top 10,” Perry told him.

“I wrote top 10 too,” Bryan excitedly shared.

Click above to watch Hunter Metts’ audition.

American Idol returns on Sunday (March 7) at 8/7c.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.