Photo: ABC
Luke Bryan teamed up with an American Idol contestant during the finale on Sunday evening (May 18), and together, the pair paid tribute to legendary country star Randy Travis.
Bryan, one of the show’s celebrity judges, kicked off the performance with a rendition of “Country Song Came On.” The song, written by Ryan Beaver, Dan Alley and Neil Medley, appears on Bryan’s latest 14-track studio album, Mind Of A Country Boy. He said in a previous interview with iHeartCountry that the record is “a reflection of where I’m at in my life right now.” Bryan’s “Country Song Came On” inspired the name of his 2025 headlining tour that kicks off later this month. See the dates below.
After “Country Song Came On,” Bryan welcomed John Foster to the American Idol stage. The Louisiana-born contestant joined forces with the Idol judge to perform “Deeper Than the Holler.” Travis, 66, released the classic country ballad in the late 1980s on his 10-track studio album, Old 8x10. “Deeper Than the Holler” remains one of Travis’ most beloved hits, along with “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” and more.
“Man, what a true blessing to share this Idol stage with so many incredible heroes, both new faces and legends,” Foster wrote in a caption on Instagram after the finale. “I’m beyond thankful, and I can’t wait to keep making music for y’all as long as the good Lord lets me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - times a million. 🙏❤️”
Bryan shared a post on Instagram congratulating this season’s American Idol champion. See the photo below (warning: spoiler). Watch Bryan’s performance with Foster here:
"Country Song Came On Tour"
May 29 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
May 30 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
May 31 Wantagh, NY Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
June 5 Syracuse, NY Empower Federal Credit Union Amp. At Lakeview
June 6 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
June 7 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park on sale 2-28
June 12 Savannah, GA Enmarket Arena
June 13 Orlando, FL Kia Center on sale 2-28
June 19 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
June 20 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
June 21 Lafayette, LA CAJUNDOME
June 26 Bonner Springs, KS Country Stampede *
June 27 North Platte, NE NebraksaLand Days *
June 28 Grand Junction, CO Country Jam *
July 10 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage on sale 2-14
July 11 Cuyahoga Falls, OH Blossom Music Center on sale 2-21
July 12 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
July 17 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
July 18 Charleston, SC Credit One Stadium
July 19 Birmingham, AL Coca-Cola Amphitheater
July 31 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on sale 2-14
Aug 1 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
Aug 2 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
Aug 7 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug 8 Mansfield, MA Xfinity Center on sale 3-14
Aug 9 Hartford, CT Xfinity Theatre
Aug 14 Charleston, WV Charleston Coliseum
Aug 16 Virginia Beach, VA Veterans United Home Loans Amp. at Virginia Beach
Aug 23 Dieppe, NB YQM Country Fest *
Aug 24 Bangor, ME Maine Savings Amphitheater
Aug 28 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center on sale 2-28
Aug 30 Buffalo, NY Darien Lake Amphitheater
*Festival dates