Luke Bryan Says Colin Stough Is ‘Exactly What We Hope And Dream For At ‘American Idol”
Stough’s audition left a lasting impression on Bryan and the other Idol judges.
Luke Bryan, Colin Stough; Photos by ABC, American Idol
18-year-old Colin Stough hopes to put his hometown on the map while pursuing his musical endeavors on American Idol.
The aspiring singer and horseback rider from Gattman, Mississippi, was forced to audition for Idol after his mother, Nara, signed him up to chase his dreams.
Stough grew up in a very small town, with a population of just 79 residents. Growing up, the aspiring musician lived with his mom, stepdad, and two dogs, but the rest of his family lived just steps away.
Small-Town Upbringing
“[Our house is] probably 30 feet from my grandparents’ house and It’s been in the family for a long time. My aunt and uncle live [down the street and] our cousins live [just a few blocks away]. I feel connected to this place,” he explained.
Prior to entering the audition room, Stough shared that his dad was not a part of his life and that his mom raised him on her own.
“My dad really ain’t never been there. He chose alcohol and drugs instead of me and mom,” Stough shared honestly. ”Man, that would just kill a family you know, and this is where we had to go. It wasn’t nowhere else, this was it. I used to have a real bad problem about just holding on to everything and that’s what horses teach me, just to let go of it. It’s kind of like you can talk to ’em, but you don’t say nothing and neither do they. It’s a way to cope.”
Stough Hopes To Make His Hometown Proud
Stough said his small-town upbringing made him realize how good the people around him are and revealed his hopes to be an inspiration to others in his hometown.
“It’s hard to find people that will give you the shirt off their back, and I know right here in this Gattman circle, any of ’em will do it for anybody. This competition man, it could change my life,” the 18-year-old acknowledged. “The main thing, the reason why I want to be in it is because ain’t really nothing coming from around here, and I want to change that.”
Colin Stough went on to showcase his vocal abilities for the Idol judges with a performance of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” Donning a button-up shirt, a ball cap, and jeans, Stough strummed an acoustic guitar while singing the iconic rock hit.
“Mama told me when I was young / ‘Come sit beside me, my only son / and listen closely to what I say / and if you do this it’ll help you / some sunny day’ / oh, yeah,” Stough sang as the Idol judges, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, looked on.
Watch Colin Stough’s American Idol Audition
“It’s nerve-wracking right here,” Stough admitted as he concluded his performance before the Idol judges praised his impressive audition.
“That’s what American Idol is about, right there!” Bryan shouted as Richie chimed in exclaiming, “I love it!”
“Colin, you’ve got the magic in you… 100% and you got the stardust,” Perry told him.
“You really do have the stardust,” Richie added.
“Thank you, really means a lot,” Stough graciously said, thanking the judges for the compliments.
Luke Bryan then invited Stough’s mother, Nara, into the audition room. According to the contestant, his mother is a longtime fan of Bryan and has always wanted to meet the of the “Country On” singer.
“Is your mama right outside? She’s right. You mind grabbing her?” Bryan asked Stough.
Stough then brought his mother into the room, where she was greeted by Bryan with a big hug.
“Hey mama! Well, mama, this is a very important meeting between you and I,” Bryan said. ”We are so thankful that you signed this human being up. Nice to meet you!”
After returning to the judges’ panel, Bryan asked Nara, “How long you’ve been listening to him play that guitar in his room?”
“He wanted his first guitar for his fifth birthday. Now we’ve got a house full of guitars. I listen to guitar playing and singing all day and night, pretty much,” she replied.
Bryan said that Colin is “exactly what we hope and dream for at American Idol.”
He added, “Somebody that’s just raw, real humble. Thank you so much for signing him up. Now, Mama, if he goes to Hollywood, what advice are you going to give him?”
“Move over, I’m going too!” Nara joked.
The three Idol judges then cast their vote to decide on Colin Stough’s fate.
“Mama can see it. I can see it. We can see it. This is going to change your life, young man. I’m going to tell you something I gladly cast that ‘yes’ vote,” Richie declared.
“It’s a ‘yes’ from me,” Perry added as Bryan shouted, “it’s a ‘yes,’ ‘yes,’ ‘yes’ from me.”
Ultimately, Colin Stough earned three ‘yes’ votes and a golden ticket to Hollywood.
The season 21 premiere of American Idol airs on Sunday (Feb. 19) at 8/7c on ABC. The show will also stream on HULU.
This season of Idol promises to be a memorable one as it’s a celebration of the show turning 21 (in both years and seasons). Idol judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie return to find the next singing sensation in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Nashville.
American Idol airs on Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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