WATCH: Luke Bryan Holds Back Tears As Megan Danielle Delivers Emotional Vince Gill Cover On ‘Idol’
The Georgia native previously performed the song at her grandfather’s funeral.
Megan Danielle; Photo by ABC/Eric McCandless
ABC’s American Idol returned on Monday with the Judge’s Song Contest, challenging each of the remaining contestants to since a song submitted anonymously by the Idol judges.
Megan Danielle had the opportunity to choose between three songs: Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” Zach Williams’ “Rescue Story” and “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan.
An Emotional Performance
Without hesitation, Danielle chose to sing “Go Rest High on That Mountain” as it holds a special place in her heart because she previously sang it at her grandfather’s funeral. While she knew it would be an emotional performance for her, she powered through even though she’s been avoiding the song since the funeral.
After working with a vocal coach, Danielle was ready to make her way to the stage.
The Douglasville, Georgia native began her performance looking up at the sky as if she were giving a nod to her late grandfather. Dressed in a shimmy gold gown and cowboy boots, she continued to let her vocals shine as she lifted her hands and hit the high notes.
Watch
Luke Bryan appeared to be holding back tears as he watched on from the judges’ table.
Shades of purple and blue lit up the stage around her as she finished on a high note.
Following her performance, it was revealed that Bryan was the judge who chose the song for her. The country superstar offered her a hug and said, “That was unbelievable.”
Lionel Richie also praised her moving performance saying, she had “an amazing ability to touch.”
Katy Perry also complimented the contestant as she promised that she’s exactly where she needs to be right now.
Top 8
Ultimately, her Vince Gill cover earned her a spot in the Top 8.
“Thank y’all from the bottom of my heart! This was one of my most challenging performances but what a way to honor my papa! Thank you God,” she wrote on Instagram after the show.
Megan Danielle turned heads when she auditioned for American Idol with Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.” While in Las Vegas, she received the surprise a lifetime when Daigle joined her for her audition.
At the time Megan Danielle recalled what led her to sing Christian music, “My childhood, I would always spend most of my time at the shop with my Grandpa. He was definitely one of my biggest fans. It’s just weird without papa, but very sad cause everything reminds me of daddy. My Grandpa passed about a year ago and he was the most important person in my life.”
She continued, “When I was 18, I had a band and we were singing at all different types of bars and venues. I didn’t like performing at bars because I felt like I had to act like someone I wasn’t just so the people would like what they were hearing. There was one show I had one night and my papa was there and he pulled me to the side and said ‘what are you doing baby? This isn’t what you’re supposed to be doing.’ He looked at me dead in the eye and said ‘how can you sing for God and sing for this?’ and then I finally decided to totally switch to Christian music.”
Daigle and Danielle teamed up for a performance of “You Say” and bonded instantly.
After her audition, Megan Danielle went on to sing songs such as “Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)” by Patty Griffin, “Easy On Me” by Adele, and “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac.
All-New Episode Next Week
Tyson Venegas and Marybeth Byrd were eliminated during Monday night’s American Idol. In a surprising twist, the judges saved Oliver Steele.
American Idol returns next week with Alanis Morisette and Ed Sheeran joining Luke Bryan as guest judges. The Top 8 will perform and the Top 5 will be revealed.
An all-new episode of the competition aries coast-to-coast on Sunday, May 7 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET 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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