Huntergirl Surprised with ‘American Idol’s’ Historic Platinum Ticket at Luke Bryan’s Nashville Bar

Following her impressive American Idol audition, Huntergirl (also known as Hunter Wolkonowski) was surprised with an invitation to perform in…

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Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

February 27, 2022

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9:30 pm

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Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Huntergirl – American Idol; Photo via Instagram

Following her impressive American Idol audition, Huntergirl (also known as Hunter Wolkonowski) was surprised with an invitation to perform in Downtown Nashville at Luke Bryan’s Broadway bar. 

“It’s the year of the girl country singer, really the girl singers,” Bryan said.

He went on to recall how Huntergirl was his “favorite country singer ever” and decided to “have fun” by inviting her to perform at his bar. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
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“You know what, Hunter Girl… my favorite country singer ever…

“I want to see real country fans react to this girl,” Bryan told his fellow judges.

The Idol judges then video chatted with HunterGirl and asked her to perform at Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge on Lower Broadway. 

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photo by Eric McCandless, ABC American Idol
Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan; Photo by Eric McCandless, ABC American Idol

“So we’d love to see you again, and we want to put you on stage in front of people in my bar… TONIGHT,” Bryan told the country hopeful, who he previously compared to Miranda Lambert. 

She then took the stage to perform Lambert’s chart-topping hit “Bluebird” at 32 Bridge. 

“What we’re going to do is surprise her, and she has no idea that we’re coming, and just maybe leave with a little platinum,” Richie said while sitting beside his Idol cohorts in a car on the way to 32 Bridge.

Huntergirl was shocked when Bryan, Perry and Richie entered the bar. 

Huntergirl; Photo by Eric McCandless, American Idol 15
Huntergirl; Photo by Eric McCandless, American Idol

“Because it’s the 20th year of American Idol… for 20 years, you’re supposed to have Platinum, right?” Bryan said before Perry added, “So inside this guitar case is another ticket that only one person in the city gets during audition times, the Platinum ticket.”

“This not only means you get to go to Hollywood, but you get to relax for one day, rest your voice and size up the competition and figure out how to become the next American Idol,” Perry went on to say. 

As the Idol judges unveiled the Platinum ticket, HunterGirl was overcome with excitement and left speechless. 

Huntergirl is the first contestant to receive the brand-new Platinum ticket, More information on the Platinum ticket can be found HERE. 

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Lauren Jo Black

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.