For the last few months, Colin Stough has been temporarily living out of Airbnb’s around Nashville while working with other songwriters and continuing to hone in on his craft. However, according to a recent Instagram post, the American Idol alum has officially planted himself in music city.
Last year, Stough was graduating from high school in Mississippi and moving onto his full-time job in HVAC. Then he went out on a whim to audition for the singing competition show which led to him taking home third place and seeing a complete change in his life.
Major Life Update
“I have to give all glory to the good lord. A year ago today I was working a full time job and also doing things on the side. Now I’m living in Nashville doing music full time,” Stough wrote alongside a photo of him sporting a denim button-up, brown sued vest and of course, a traditional cowboy hat.
As he reflects on his journey into stardom, the rising singer/songwriter went on to express his gratitude towards everyone who has helped him get to this point, especially his loyal listeners.
He continued, “I can’t be more blessed to have made some of the great friends I’ve made and have a great fan base. If it wasn’t for you guys we couldn’t keep playing the shows we are. Thank you to the people that are making these awesome times happen from the people to the label, songwriters, fans, the awesome band members ,and people who just stream my music.”
Standout Contestant On Idol
It all started at the Season 21 auditions when the Mississippi native left a lasting impression on the Idol judges and all the viewers at home with his delivery of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” This led him to Hollywood and with each week that followed, he remained in the competition, learning and growing along the way.
“My mom signed me up for it. And I just, I didn’t know how far I could go on it, and I ended up about damn near going all the way,” Stough told Music Mayhem. “So, I was pretty pleased with the outcome. It was pretty awesome.”
Grand Ole Opry Aspirations
However, his journey didn’t end there. In fact, it’s just beginning as he’s acquired a whole new list of hopes and aspirations, like one day making his Grand Ole Opry debut. Plus, he’s getting to live out the dreams that his younger self never thought would be possible.
Fans may have come to know the 18-year-old from Idol, but his story with music began at a much younger age. Colin Stough started playing the guitar around eight years old and two years later, he used his own resources to purchase an instrument that he still uses to this day.
“I think I was like 10. It’s actually in the back seat of the truck right now,” Stough shared. “I got it from a pawn shop and I put like $20 on it. I pawned games, knives and stuff like that. And my mom went by later that day and paid that $20 off that I owed. So it’s her guitar, really,” he joked before adding, “I still got it. I still play it. It’s a little beat up, you know, it’s got some age to it, but it’s got a lot of memory on it.”
Songwriting
This meaningful guitar was the starting point for his career in country music. In addition to playing music, Stough would also write songs growing up and that has continued throughout Idol and into his current daily routine.
“I wrote a lot before the show and when I was on the show and then now after the show,” he continued. “What I do every day is cut music, write music, and take meetings and stuff like that. It’s a new kind of full-time job.”
“I Still Talk To Jesus”
So far, Stough has released his debut single, “I Still Talk To Jesus,” followed by his song “Bad Day.” With these songs out in the world, fans are already itching for more and according to Stough, there’s hope that these tracks will soon lead to a bigger project.
“Maybe an EP or a small album or something like that. Can’t give all the secrets away,” he teased with a laugh.
He also made note of possible plans to hit the road on a tour in the near future. When the time does come for him to embark on a full run of shows, Colin Stough intends to bring his most authentic self to the stage and “just go up there and be me.”
“I’m kind of a dying breed,” he explained. “I like the southern rock and the classic country music and just being another guy in the world that’s just trying to bring that back to life.”
Upcoming Live Shows
For now, he has a few individual shows scheduled across the next few months. On August 10, he will return to Mississippi to play his first hometown show since coming off Idol. During the show, he got the chance to perform in front of his community for the first time alongside a former member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ricky Medlocke.
“It was fun. You know, I got to see all my people, got to play a show for the hometown and got to go to back to my old high school and made some memories,” he shared of the memorable show. “It really meant lot to me cause I didn’t know how much of a town I had behind me. So when I went and did that, it really opened my eyes up a lot.”
Sold Out Hometown Concert
Tickets are already sold out to his upcoming show in the town of Starkville, MS. While discussing this success, Stough said that “it means the world to me” to see so much support from his hometown.
“I never would’ve thought I’d be doing stuff like that, you know, and opening for some of the biggest names in the country music two nights after. So it definitely means the world to me. I’m blessed.”
He will then make his way to Birmingham, AL on August 11 for a show at Zydeco and Hattiesburg, MS on August 12, where he has been added to the opening lineup for Bulls, Bands and Barrels.
Additionally, Colin Stough will serve as support for Drake White’s upcoming concert in Phenix City, AL on Friday, July 28.
