After earning a spot in the Top 20 on American Idol, Dan Marshall Griffith delivered an energetic performance of Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” that put his newfound stage presence on full display.
The former college football player truly shined as an entertainer and even encouraged audience participation throughout his performance.
Marshall earned a standing ovation from the judges as well as the live audience, including Katy Perry, whose jaw was dropping over Marshall’s performance.
Lionel Richie provided feedback first, telling the Virginia native, “I just want free tickets and backstage passes… The truth of the matter is you could just take this act right here and go straight on the road immediately because that’s as good as it gets right there. I loved it.”
“I’m going to be honest with you, I didn’t get it at first, but that was so fun and you picked the right song and you had the best stage presence that is so authentic and so natural of the whole night so far,” Katy Perry shared. “Don’t forget y’all we’re here to be entertained, I just want to crush some freakin’ beers and watch you play. I am in on you 100%.”
Luke Bryan, who previously called Marshall “one of the best” country artists on Idol, agreed and went on to congratulate him for stepping up to the challenge for his Top 20 performance.
“Dan, Katy’s right. I mean, I think in previous rounds you may have missed the mark on a song choice here or there and this thing is a fourth quarter football battle making it through American Idol and then you come along and you pick the right song that really showcased kind of where you’re gonna evolve as an artist,” Bryan said. “So good job for upping your game buddy!”
Marshall auditioned for Idol with Brooks’ hit “The Dance.” The country music icon reacted on his audition during a recent episode of his Facebook Live series, Inside Studio G.
Marshall is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and agricultural business operation. In college, he spent his time on the football team where he was a linebacker and also played guitar.
He is a big fan of ‘90s country music and lists artists like Brooks, Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean as his biggest influences.
Dan Marshall and his fellow Top 20 contestants are vying for a spot in the Top 14, which will be revealed on Monday (April 18).
To vote for Dan Marshall, visit AmericanIdol.com/Vote, Text 9 to 21523 or use the American Idol app. Voting opens at the end of the show and is open till 9 a.m. EST.
American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.
