Off The Record
American Idol 19-Year-Old Contestant With No Background In Singing Blows Everyone Away—Luke Bryan Breaks Down
Although talent shows are frequently criticized for being excessive, let’s face it, they have produced some of the most memorable performers and touching tales in music history.
Additionally, American Idol continues to be the industry leader in identifying unadulterated, genuine talent.
The program isn’t just about identifying the next big thing; it’s about giving everyone a shot, from discovering everyday heroes with a dream to launching careers like Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert. And occasionally, that opportunity becomes an unforgettable moment.
Colby Smith, a 19-year-old Texas native who had never performed in front of an audience, taken a music class, or been outside of his home state, was welcomed to the American Idol stage in 2019. In his small community, he painted fences during the day. He simply liked music in a humble way.
However, when Colby took center stage and performed “Every Teardrop Falls” by Freddy Fender, everything changed.
The entire room was astounded by his soulful, untrained voice. The crowd fell silent. The judges were so affected by his performance’s unadulterated emotion that they sat motionless. Even veteran country music artist and Idol judge Luke Bryan was rendered incoherent.
After that, an incredible event occurred.
After Colby finished, Luke looked him in the eye and asked, “Can I see your shoes?”
After hesitating, Colby raised his feet to reveal a pair of scuffed, worn-out sneakers with holes in them and his socks showing through. The image of a young man pursuing a dream, no matter how unrealistic it looked, was subdued yet impactful.
Luke Bryan took off his own boots immediately and handed them to Colby without missing a beat.
Emotion exploded in the room. The judges started crying. Participants let out a gasp. What about Colby? He clutched the boots as if they were made of gold, almost unable to speak.
It was more than a TV moment. It served as a reminder of the true purpose of these presentations, which is to give regular people the attention they never imagined they would receive and, occasionally, the shoes to walk into that dream.
Colby didn’t appear to be a star when he first arrived. However, he left with a standing ovation, a memory of generosity, and perhaps—just possibly—the beginning of a whole different existence.
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