PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISA — Louisa construction worker turned “American Idol” winner Noah Thompson will release his second single July 29. The recording, a country-fied cover of “Stay” by Rihanna, was inspired by the response Thompson received after singing the song on “American Idol.”
“Everybody knows the story with Arthur signing me up for the show and everything,” Thompson told the Mountain Citizen, referring to when his friend Arthur Johnson signed him up for “American Idol.”
“I believe Arthur kinda got a little clip of me singing that song, and he sent it in to producers before […] I had auditioned or anything.”
Producers on “American Idol” repeatedly asked Thompson to perform the song, knowing it went against his type and could strengthen his appeal to fans of the show.
“I didn’t really want to sing [“Stay”] in the first place at all,” Thompson said. “Because I had barely known the song. You know what I mean? I just had to learn it as I went.”
Thompson’s venture outside his comfort zone paid off as the song has become a fan favorite that he performed again during the singing competition’s finale.
“I’m pretty excited about it coming out, man. I think it’s going to do pretty good,” said Thompson.
Thompson posted a short clip of the new single on his social media accounts on July 15, which was met with a massive positive response from his fans.
The single features all the typical modern Nashville production techniques but maintains a Roots music vibe with more traditional instrumentation: a traditional drum kit and bass, acoustic and electric guitar and a slick, whining dobro.
“Stay” will serve as a musical appetizer while Thompson and his team prepare a catalog of original tunes that reflect who he is as an individual, an artist and a Kentuckian.
“I definitely don’t want to be that guy that’s writing songs about trucks and girls and all that,” said Thompson. “That’s not me, man. I want to write about something real.”
Thompson expressed great admiration for Eastern Kentucky artists like Chris Stapleton.
“He’s got his own sound and I think that’s so unique,” said Thompson. “And I want something like that. You know what I mean? I want something real, something that means something.”
In June, Thompson released a sneak peek of a song he was writing called “On the Outside” and detailed his songwriting journey, which included working with Johnson to create original songs.
“We’re too goofy, dude,” Thompson said when asked about the songwriting process with one of his best friends. “We just can’t take ourselves serious […] we’ve tried though, don’t get me wrong.”
“But it all started out with me, Arthur and Zach [Hopkins],” said Thompson. “They were the two that were always pushing me music-wise.”
Noah is looking forward to spending more time with his family once he has done the necessary leg work to start his career off on the right foot.
“I’m excited to get to work and really get some new stuff out there.”
Follow Noah Thompson on social media to keep up-to-date with all of his new releases and tour dates.
