Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Luke Bryan Joins HunterGirl On Idol’s Finale Stage To Sing Randy Travis’ “I Told You So”

Luke Bryan & HunterGirl Unite To Sing Randy Travis’ “I Told You So” On “Idol” Finale
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Luke Bryan and HunterGirl shared the finale stage of American Idol Season 20 to sing Randy Travis’s hit “I Told You So” from his 1988 album Always and Forever. And this was actually the third time that the song had been performed on the Idol stage, making it quite an icon on one of the most popular singing competition TV series. Even without it, we all know the track will remain a classic hit. After all, it won Travis an American Music Award for Favorite Country Single. 

The song was first performed on stage in 2009 by Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis himself. Underwood won the title in 2005, and the performance was more than a fitting comeback on the stage where she earned it. But before they shared the same stage, Underwood actually covered the song. She and Travis also recorded a duet version, winning a Grammy for the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals. And that version jumped into the Top 10 of the Hot 100 after they performed the song on American Idol. 

The second one was by Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina in Season 10, who were both contenders that season. McCreery was named the season’s American Idol, while Alaina was his runner-up. 

But aside from being the third time, this performance was a full circle for Luke Bryan and HunterGirl. Earlier during the auditions, Luke Bryan expressed how he thought HunterGirl stood out from the rest as the best voice for any female country artist he had ever heard on the show. And it seemed like the audience agreed very much with him as HunterGirl made it to the Top 3. 

The performance was definitely a treat to the ears and, at the same time, showcased HunterGirl’s range vocally and emotionally.

Watch Luke Bryan and HunterGirl’s “I Told You So” duet in the video below. And congratulations as well to HunterGirl for winning second place and to Noah Thompson, another country singer, for earning the title!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9OVXyOWO8s

Latest Stories

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s “Love Somebody” Tackles Real Romance with a Fresh Sound

Morgan Wallen’s new single, “Love Somebody,” has arrived, and it’s not just another love song—it’s an honest look at the complicated, often bumpy road to finding real connection. After years ...

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen Sets New Records Outshining Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift

Morgan Wallen’s career continues to reach impressive heights with his latest achievement. This historic milestone solidifies his place among country music’s most celebrated figures. His new single, “Love Somebody,” has ...

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Jelly Roll Gets Emotional Sharing a First Look at His Expansive 500-Acre Dream Property

Country music star Jelly Roll recently shared an emotional video on social media, revealing his purchase of a sprawling 500-acre plot of land. The video, filled with raw emotion and ...