Country Favorite Brings Energetic “Callin’ Baton Rouge” Performance To ‘American Idol’ | Classic Country Music | Legendary Stories and Songs Videos

Louisiana native John Foster brought country music to Hawaii with an energetic performance of “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” (Photo credit: American Idol/YouTube)

The second night of American Idol Top 24 competition is underway and the show kicked off with an energetic performance of a Garth Brooks classic.

In just five weeks American Idol will have a new champion! But several rounds of eliminations have to take place before the finale. As in seasons past, Season 23 will determine who advances each week by America’s vote.

The Top 24 took the stage at Disney’s Alauni Resort in Hawaii on Sunday and Monday in hopes of earning a spot in the Top 20. Sunday’s episode saw 12 hopefuls like Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, and Baylee Littrell take the stage. The second half of the Top 24 had their chance to earn America’s votes on Monday night.

Among those who performed Monday was John Foster, the only true country act left in the competition. Foster, a native of Louisiana, first caught the judges’ attention with a cover of Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox.” But the song wasn’t enough to convince Carrie Underwood that John had what it takes. So she asked the medical student to sing another song that “showcased [his] vocals more.”

18-year-old John Foster auditions for American Idol with two country classics, and Luke Bryan cheers him on

18-year-old John Foster auditions for American Idol with two country classics, and Luke Bryan cheers him on (Photo credit: American Idol / YouTube)

John chose to sing Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time.” The judges were unsure about allowing him to advance and were concerned that he would stand out in a competition where powerful voices could easily drown him out.

But the concern wasn’t warranted. John Foster sailed through Hollywood Week, surviving two brutal eliminations as the field of 144 was narrowed down to 24.

John Foster brought his southern charm to Hawaii with a cover of Garth Brooks’ “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”

The judges praised John’s performance, with Luke calling it “a Hawaiian hoedown.”

“It really complimented who you are as an artist. You’re a Louisiana boy singing songs that speak that. It was great. It was perfect. One of my favorite performances you’ve done,” Luke said.

Lionel Richie agreed and complimented Foster’s song choice, saying that it brought out his energy on stage.

Watch John Foster’s performance of “Callin’ Baton Rouge” in the video below.