American Idol has finally dwindled their pool of season 24 contestants down to 11 aspiring singers, with fan favorites like Brooks, Chris Tungseth, Jordan McCollough, and Lucas Leon returning to the stage.
Another standout in the competition, the Missouri mother of three, Hannah Harper, will also make her comeback, to no surprise. Harper has consistently proven to be a top contender to make it to the end of this competition, swooning the judges and viewers with her humble persona and sweet vocals.
However, the 25-year-old, hailing from her family’s bluegrass band, is in for a bit of a curveball for tonight’s episode. Following last week’s throwback ’90s judges’ picks, the show will keep the thematic momentum rolling, honoring Rock & Roll Hall of Famers through their performance picks.
Given Harper’s shown a strong alignment with her Midwest roots, singing country tunes from Lee Ann Womack’s “A Little Past Little Rock” to Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” fitting into this genre may be tricky considering the most rocking energy she’s show on stage was her cover of Bethel Music’s “Ain’t No Grave.” This new wheelhouse might either produce a completely unique rock anthem mashup with her southern twang or gift fans with another country classic.
If Harper wants to stick to what she knows and keep it comfortable for this round as the competition tightens, there are a few country artists who have been inducted in the past, including Hank Williams (1987), Johnny Cash (1992), Willie Nelson (2023), Floyd Cramer (2003), etc. The Hall of Fame also made waves when they inducted none other than Miss Dolly Parton in 2022, the leading lady of country music, to whom many have made strong comparisons of Harper’s vocals.
Since her initial audition with her now viral original, “String Cheese,” many have noted the resemblance of Harper to the country legend, with a rumor even starting mid-show that Harper had left the season to join Dolly’s label, Butterfly Records. While Parton herself was hesitant at first to accept her class of 2022 initiation, given that she saw herself as lacking any influence on Rock & Roll, she still ultimately accepted and performed her 1973 hit, “Jolene,” at the induction.
Now, not only would “Jolene” be an incredible, uptempo pick for Harper tonight as well, but this could also present a unique opportunity to cover loads of suitable tracks from Dolly’s discography, whether it be the belting “Here You Come Again” or one of her bluegrass favorites like “The Grass Is Blue.”
Time will tell whether Harper decides to finally give her growing fan base this perfect crossover tonight, with the episode airing on ABC tonight, April 13, at 8 p.m. ET.