Coming off of his American Idol win, Noah Thompson made the trip to Nashville from his home in Kentucky to attend and perform at CMA Fest for the first time. The week consisted of many new experiences for him including performances with artists like Idol mentor, Jimmie Allen.
Since this was only his second trip to Nashville, Thompson explained that he’s still trying to take in everything music city has to offer, from the songwriting sessions to all the excited fans and even the food.
He recently sat down with Music Mayhem to discuss the busy week and how it led to him to forming a stronger bond with Allen and the city of Nashville as a whole.
“I’m trying to just get an idea of what Nashville’s like, you know what I mean? I guess that’s what I’m trying to do for me,” Thompson told Music Mayhem.
Noah Thompson Joined Jimmie Allen During CMA Fest To Perform His Debut Single
On June 9, Thompson joined Country star Jimmie Allen during his set on the Chevy Riverfront Stage to perform his heartfelt debut single, “One Day Tonight.” Ahead of the performance, the Season 20 Idol winner gushed that he was “looking forward” to their performance.
The two singer-songwriters met for the first time over a FaceTime call when they hashed out the details for the surprise performance. Allen also used this time to share his support for Thompson, as he understands the stress and excitement of being at the start of his music career.
“Jimmie is awesome. He’s a really good dude,” Thompson told Music Mayhem with sincerity. “He basically said for me to look at him as an older brother. He understands, he’s been in my shoes before, so he gets it and he wants to help me out in that way. So I appreciate him for that.”
Fans cheered in excitement and sang along with Thompson during his spotlight moment. He later took to social media to share his own excitement, gratitude and disbelief for this moment.
“I can’t believe I just got to go on stage at CMA with Jimmie Allen and his band. I’m feeling so blessed. Honestly, what is this life?” he wrote on Instagram.
Noah Thompson Feels More Comfortable In Nashville Than He Did In Los Angeles
Although Nashville isn’t his home at the moment, Thompson explained that the city definitely feels more comfortable than when he was in L.A. for the length of his Idol journey.
“Being down here [in Nashville], I don’t feel away from home. I mean it just feels the same almost,” he shared.
Having the guidance of artists like Allen is also a huge help in making the big adjustment to the new chapter in his life a little easier. Thompson expressed how in awe he is seeing how far he’s come from being a construction worker in Kentucky to living out his dreams in Nashville.
“It’s kinda hard to believe that I’m down here doing all this,” Thompson humbly added. “It’s just really fun.”
When it comes to co-writing and recording new music, Thompson is eager to create, but being that he’s a new artist, he’s also taking his time to learn about the process as a whole and “figure it all out.”
“That’s kind of what I’ve been talking to everybody down here about. They understand that and I feel like that’s the best way they can be with me. [Hopefully] they just wanna throw me in a room with some people that can understand me and understand that I’m so new to all of this and I’m just learning as I go.”
Thompson’s CMA Fest experience also included a performance with fellow Idol alum Chayce Beckham and a writers’ round at The Bluebird Café.
“Honored to sit on a stage and sing ‘One Day Tonight’ with these legendary people at the famous Bluebird Café,” Thompson wrote on his social media post that featured a slideshow of his debut at the historic venue.
This weekend (June 18), Thompson returned home to perform at the 3-day Rush & Rowdy “extravaganza” in Rush, Kentucky. His upcoming shows have yet to be announced.
