For as much as I believe artists don’t need TV, radio, or other mainstream outlets to create a stellar career for themselves, it’s always nice to see the good guys get a little shine.
Last night was the finale of season 22 of American Idol. 21 year old Abi Carter from Indio, California was named the winner, topping Will Moseley (23, Hazelhurst, GA) and Jack Blocer (25, Dallas, TX) in the popular vote to join Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Kelly Clarkson, and others as winners of the long running show.
As always, the finale wasn’t lacking in the celebrity appearance category. Guest performers included Hootie & the Blowfish, Jason Mraz, Wynonna Judd, and Jon Bon Jovi but there was one other guest that got me the most excited.
Cody Johnson performed his hit single “Til You Can’t”, and while we know CoJo can throw down by himself on a televised performance, he got a little help from a contestant on this season that made it to the Top 5 before being sent home.
Triston Harper is a 15 year old from McIntosh, Alabama and a member of the Choctaw Indian tribe. He quickly became a fan favorite for the maturity of his voice that was well beyond his years and had his first viral moment when he covered Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up” for his audition. If you haven’t heard that one yet, boy you better get to listening.
Add in his backstory of being homeless, running from an abusive stepfather, and being raised by a single mother and it’s enough to make any grizzled heart tear up:
Despite not being in the running for this season’s victory, Idol decided to bring him back to perform next to Cody Johnson and the two of them sounded incredible.
Big kudos to Cojo for backing off and letting Harper take the lead here. At only 15 years old you have to think big things are in store for his career if he can stay on the right course and this moment with one of country music’s biggest stars on a national stage will more than likely be a memory he won’t soon forget.