WATCH: Kentucky Construction Worker Noah Thompson Challenges Himself With John Mayer Cover On ‘Idol’
Noah Thompson has been known to take a risk with his song choices on American Idol and his performance on…
Noah Thompson; Photo by ABC, American Idol
Noah Thompson has been known to take a risk with his song choices on American Idol and his performance on Monday (April 25) was no different.
When given the task to choose from three songs that the Idol judges handpicked for him, including John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Mayer’s “Bigger Than My Body” or “Heartbreak Warfare,” Thompson chose “Heartbreak Warfare.”
“When I saw the list of songs, I was scared, because I only knew one of the songs on the list,” Thompson admitted.
Ahead of his performance, while chatting with Idol’s associate musical director, Justin Avery, and Idol’s vocal coach, India Carney, Thompson confessed that he initially thought he would sing the John Denver classic, but after thinking it over he didn’t feel like the song would showcase his vocals. That’s when he decided to challenge himself.
“When I went into vocal coaching, in a way, I was leaning more towards the John Denver song, because it’s easier and I know it, but I feel like it’s not best vocally,” Thompson said.
“I love John Mayer, I love his music, and I love his style,” the former construction worker shared of Mayer. “I never heard the song ‘Heartbreak Warfare,’ but I already kind of feel it. I’m concern with how people are going to feel about me singing a John Mayer song. Concerned I won’t learn the song in time, but if it’s what you want, you got to put the work in.”
While he admitted the process was “nerve-wracking” Thompson said he thought everything would ultimately work out in the long run.
“That’s how I’m rolling with it,” Thompson declared.
Joined by a full band and with his newfound confidence on full display, Thompson delivered an impressive cover of John Mayer’s “Heartbreak Warfare.”
Following his performance, host Ryan Seacrest challenged him to guess which Idol judge picked the song for him to perform.
“I picked Katy [Perry], but honestly, I don’t know,” Thompson said, before Perry blushed and things got awkward (she previously dated Mayer and didn’t pick the song for him).
It was then revealed that Luke Bryan picked the song for Thompson.
The performance, which truly highlighted his vocal abilities, earned praise from Idol judges.
“Well first of all, nothing is more challenging than trying to learn a song really, really quickly,” Bryan said of his song choice for Thompson. “I mean, I’ve had like new singles that I’ve performed on awards show that are new singles to me. I haven’t had a lot of time on stage with them, but the main thing is to sort of take a song and crash course it. It was done really well, but what I’m most happy with, other than it was my song [choice], was the fact that you challenged yourself and that was a big move.”
“Do you know how happy I was when he said I’m doing the John Denver song and I said I got this, because I picked ‘Bigger Than My Body,’ and then all of a sudden you started singing the other song. I don’t like this game,” Lionel Richie said. “In all honestly, you controlled it, what I’m loving about you is how you’re growing and you are really stepping in that space of your career. I’m so proud of ya.”
“Who’s going to pay for my extra hour of therapy?” Perry joked, referencing the fact that Thompson thought she selected the John Mayer song.
“Honestly, you sounded great,” she went on to say. “It’s a great song, he’s a great artist. You’re a great artist and I think that fact that you keep on challenging yourself to grow like in the moment is brilliant. You were surprising us, you couldn’t do John Denver, because that was a little bit obvious and good for you man.”
With a record-breaking 19 million votes cast for the Top 10, Noah Thompson ultimately advanced to the next round.
American Idol airs every Sunday and Monday 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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