John Foster brought viewers to tears during Sunday night’s episode of American Idol when he closed out the show with a deeply moving performance of Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” In honor of Mother’s Day, Foster dedicated the heartfelt ballad to his mom, Amanda, who was visibly emotional in the audience.
With his signature baritone vocals on full display, Foster made the early Brooks & Dunn hit his own while making sure to capture the depth of the storytelling that made the original so iconic.
“Believe” appears on Brooks & Dunn’s Hillbilly Deluxe album and tells the story of a young boy who befriends his wise, elderly neighbor known as, “Old Man Wrigley.” Throughout their conversations displayed in the lyrics, the boy gains a new perspective on life.
“Old man Wrigley lived in that white house/ Down the street where I grew up/ Mama used to send me over with things/ We struck a friendship up/ I spent a few long summers/ Out on his old porch swing,” Foster sang with a pure warmth in his voice.
At the very end of his delivery, a glowing photo of Foster and his mom appeared on the screen behind him .
In the midst of the story, the character learns that his neighbor who was always so willing to share his truth, had passed away. Hearing this, the he goes on to recall one of their late-night conversations and starts to “believe” that there really is more to life than just what he can see.
“Later on that night, I laid there thinkin’ back/ Thought about a couple long-lost summers/ I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh/ If there was ever anybody deserved a ticket to the other side/ It’d be that sweet old man who looked me in the eye, said/ I raise my hands, bow my head/ I’m findin’ more and more truth in the words written in red/ They tell me that there’s more to life than just what I can see,” Foster continued.
Foster’s authentic country voice and electrifying stage presence earned him a standing ovation. Even the American Idol judges couldn’t hold back their praise.
The newest edition to the Idol judging panel, Carrie Underwood stated, “That was a perfect song choice. It was perfect. Thank you for choosing it.”
Luke Bryan was next to speak up and had nothing but good things to say about what he just witnessed form Foster on stage.
“You keep surprising me every week and you keep doing the right things. The whole thing you’re giving out there to tv and the people at home, has gotta make people like the heck out of you and that’s what this business is about, making people like you. Like Carrie said, great song choice and you’re killing it, brother.”
Last to comment was Lionel Richie, who said a few words that still held a ton of weight for the hopeful contestant.
“So I’m just going to say this, I am just baffled, what the heck are you doing, man?,” he said with awe in his voice. “You’ve found your artist. I now believe you as an artist and that’s what you’re selling to the world out there. You’re doing a great job.”
This performance took place as part of the first Disney themed episode where the top seven contestants traveled to Disneyland resort and lit up the stage with Disney classics and an effort to earn America’s votes.
Earlier on in the night, John Foster took part in the themed music by delivering “Almost There” from The Princess and the Frog. This performance earned just as much high praise from the judges.
Both performances were enough to advance him in the competition. According to host Ryan Seacrest, the Top 7 “left it all on the stage” and at the very end of the episode, he revealed that Breanna Nix, John Foster, Jamal Roberts, Slater Nalley, and Thunderstorm Artis made it through to the next round. This news meant that Mattie Pruitt and Gabby Samone were eliminated.
More beloved Disney songs will come alive on stage from the Top 5 contestants on tonight’s episode. Fans can tune into American Idol on ABC on Monday, May 12.
The post WATCH: John Foster Delivers Moving Performance Of Brooks & Dunn’s ‘Believe’ On ‘American Idol’ appeared first on Country Now.