Colin Stough only needed to get out the opening lyric of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” before American Idol judge Luke Bryan flashed a thumbs-up. The Mississippi native brought a gravitas to the oft-covered track that far belied his 18 years. After he sang the last note, Bryan exclaimed, “That’s what American Idol is about, right there!”
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And the “Love You, Miss You, Mean It” singer wasn’t wrong. American Idol is all about turning small-town dreams into big-city realities. And it’s hard to find a better example than Stough, who made it all the way to season 21’s finale night, where he finished third behind winner Iam Tongi and runner-up Megan Danielle. Over a year later, the 19-year-old is living in Nashville, planning a wedding for next year, and on the cusp of releasing his second EP.
Colin Stough Releases Second EP Post-‘American Idol’
Out Friday (July 12), Lookin’ For Home burns with passion and raw vocal strength as it never shies away from the messy truth, according to a press release. The six-song EP captures the emotional tug-of-war between the small-town comfort Stough grew up knowing and his burning desire to leave his mark on the world And with Stough featured as a writer on every track, it does so with plenty of grit and Southern-fried honesty.
“One thing I love to do is write my own music,” Stough told American Songwriter in a phone interview. “I really wanted to tell my story. That’s why I love being in the room.”
Following his 2023 EP Promiseland, Lookin’ For Home has something for everyone. “I really wanted to write music that would satisfy everybody,” Stough said. “There are a lot of songs that, I love ’em for me, but I don’t think as many people would relate to.”
Don’t take that to mean that Stough has traded honesty for marketability, though. The opening track, “Boat Somewhere,” has all the trimmings of a raucous summertime anthem: Boss just hit me with a list of s— that ain’t gettin’ done today / It’ll probably be a problem, but it ain’t my problem / There’s a cold beer calling my name.
“Amen,” the record’s focus track, falls at the other end of the spectrum. The opening lines paint an unflinching picture of the claustrophobia that can often accompany the American Idol experience: Trapped inside and in by 10 / The whitewashed walls are closing in / Looking for some freedom out my hotel window.
The chorus finds Stough reminiscing about the blue skies and backroads of his hometown of Gattman, Mississippi (pop. 73, according to him.) By the end of the song, even the most stubborn of city-dwellers will be shouting, “Amen,” right along with him.
“Man, that song really just relates to me a lot and the things I struggled with in L.A.,” Stough said. “I really kind of summarize it up.”
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Colin Stough on His ‘Idol’ Experience: “I Didn’t Care If I Went Home”
That’s not to say Stough’s American Idol experience was all stress—quite the opposite, actually. “Everybody was taking it easy and resting their vocals, drinking tea. I was just having fun,” the 19-year-old country-rocker said. “I didn’t care if I went home.”
That mindset took Stough far beyond his wildest dreams. “I was just going out there to see what it was like,” he said. “I ended up going damn near all the way.”
Performing professionally is a different ball game, Stough admits. But he seems to be handling the challenge just fine. With songs like “I Still Talk to Jesus” and “Bad Day,” the “horse-loving, motorcycle-riding” Southern rocker has racked up more than 19.8 million streams across his musical catalog to date. This past year, he has supported artists like Chase Matthew, Kidd G and Drake White, and even appeared with his fellow Idol alums at CMA Fest.
You’d think all that work would warrant a break. But the “Sober” singer has gigs booked through November. And he’s only taking two days to soak up Looking for Home’s release before he embarks on his next project.
“You gotta work, work, work,” Stough said cheerfully.
Featured image via YouTube
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