While making her CMA Fest debut this summer, American Idol runner-up, HunterGirl, got the chance to reconnect with Idol mentor, Jimmie Allen.
HunterGirl recently caught up with Music Mayhem to reminisce about sharing the stage with Allen and the friendship they have formed over the past few months.
Her first day at CMA Fest was one to remember because not only was it a dream come true to be there as a performer, but she also got to kick things off by singing her original song, “Red Bird,” during Allen’s set on the Chevy Riverfront Stage. “It was incredible,” she said. HunterGirl gushed over the generosity and support the “Freedom Was A Highway” singer has shown her from the start.
“He is one of the kindest people I have ever met in my entire life. For him to let me get up there on stage during his set, he’s just so supportive of artists and people. Jimmie is probably one of the best people I’ve ever met just inside and out. Just how he treats people and cares about people. Getting to have him there supporting me and letting me sing a song, not everybody would. I couldn’t believe it.”
HunterGirl even dubbed this her “favorite moment” from CMA Fest because of how emotional she felt when she looked out into the sea of people and saw her parents looking right back at her, soaking it all in.
“I remember how many times they had taken me to shows and I was like 15 and then just watching me and supporting me throughout all of this. Having that moment just to look at ’em and to say, ‘I can’t believe I’m here right now.’ My heart was so big, it was gonna come outta my chest. So that was probably my favorite moment of the whole week.”
Before sharing the stage in Nashville, the two country artists first crossed paths in Hawaii, when HunterGirl was fighting for her spot in Idol’s top 20, and Allen was a guest mentor on the show. She later took to social media to share a couple of photos from their time working together on Idol and showed her gratitude for his guidance.
She wrote, “I want to say a huge thank you to @Jimmieallen for being an unbelievable mentor. You are an incredible artist and person. You make people smile and feel comfortable with who they are. Thank you for saying hi to my family after my performance. It meant the world to them. You are the best!!”
Since Idol, the Winchester, TN native has released a full EP titled, One Day, and her latest single, “Red Bird,” but she told Music Mayhem that there is “definitely” new music in the works already. She also teased a new song on social media recently that pays tribute to her hometown.
“They just supported me so much throughout my American Idol journey and even before that, when I was playing shows around town and I was like 14 and 15,” she said. “I was just thinking about that in the writing room and I just wanted to say, “thank you.” I always have a safe place to go to because of my hometown.”
Over the Fourth of July weekend, HunterGirl took a trip to Gatlinburg where she performed in the holiday parade. The rising star revealed that she’s “so excited” to get on the road with her band and play more shows this summer.
“There’s so many exciting things coming and I can’t wait to figure it all out,” she said.
Allen also shared new music on June 27 when he dropped his latest studio album, Tulip Drive. Starting on October 15, he will hit the road as a special guest on Carrie Underwood’s Denim & Rhinestones tour.
HunterGirl’s upcoming shows have yet to be announced.
