With Billy Strings selling out multiple nights at arenas across the country—and drawing crowds internationally—bluegrass has arguably never been more mainstream. Now it’s reached the small screen in a big way, too.
Last Monday, 19-year-old Landon Hughes of Hazard, KY walked onto the American Idol stage, acoustic guitar in hand, and launched into “Little Maggie”—a traditional tune that’s been a favorite for generations of bluegrass pickers and a setlist staple for Strings. Hughes even held out the long opening note for which the song is known.
Hughes, a soccer player at Lake Erie College in Ohio, came to music after a blown ankle sidelined him from the field. With time to fill, he turned to his guitar and delved into the music of his home region. He started posting videos online, and when an American Idol producer came calling, he answered.
The judges—Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie—were impressed by his authenticity, though all three agreed the competition would be an uphill battle. Bryan admitted he was skeptical of Hughes’ vocals, noting that he’s still exploring and developing his voice. Underwood cut to the heart of Idol‘s challenge: the show demands range, because each week brings a different theme and a different genre, and she wanted to know whether Hughes could really be himself in territory beyond bluegrass. Richie praised his old-school vibe but warned that to go far in the competition, Hughes would need to take audiences somewhere unexpected and avoid predictable performances.
Hughes pushed back gently, insisting he loves music across the board and isn’t limited to just bluegrass. Spoiler alert: all three judges voted yes, sending him to Hollywood Week with a unanimous golden ticket and leaving him overcome with emotion. “This is my heart,” he said. “It’s everything, and I’m very proud to take this ticket back home.”
Watch Hughes’ bluegrass audition below and tune in to American Idol tonight to see if he makes it through Hollywood week. He’s already gone farther than Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country multi-instrumentalist Nathan “Sugarled” Aronowitz, who made a one-and-one appearance on Idol last year.
Landon Hughes Performs “Little Maggie” On American Idol