There’s something to be said about anyone who can cover a song by the legendary Vince Gill and still make it just as spectacular as the original.
The Missouri Mother, Hannah Harper, who has already solidified herself as a fan favorite pick on this season of American Idol, returned to the stage for Monday night’s Ohana round. Amongst the final 30 contestants, Harper chose to perform Gill’s iconic 1994 hit, “Go Rest High on That Mountain.”
After two back-to-back noteworthy performances of her viral audition original, “String Cheese,” and Hollywood Week’s “A Little Past Little Rock,” Harper said this time around she wanted to honor her late grandfather with the country classic. The song was not only her Pawpaw Lew’s favorite, but Hannah also credits the musical legacy he passed down as a major inspiration in her own journey. She exclaimed, “I’m really excited about the Ohana round to have the chance to honor my grandpa. He was a patriarch. So many branches of talented people who came from him. He played music until the day he died.”
The song itself is an absolute heart-string puller, rooted in the losses Gill experienced in his own life and channeled into the powerful ballad. Inspired in part by the deaths of both Keith Whitley and Gill’s brother, it has since become one of country music’s most memorable songs of remembrance. The singer-songwriter legend also famously performed it at George Jones’ funeral in 2013, alongside Patty Loveless, who stepped in to help finish the emotional performance.
Given the weight of this song and the deep ties Harper must’ve attributed it to while dedicating it to her Pawpaw, it’s even more impressive to listen to her stunning rendition and consider the amplified emotions she must’ve been feeling. Hitting every note impeccable with a voice that many are now comparing to Allison Krauss or LeAnn Womack, Harper made her performance uniquely her own. The 25-year-old mama surely has the voice of an angel that delivers itself effortlessly with every belting lyric.
The crowd and judging panel reciprocated the admiration for this jaw-dropping performance with a standing round of applause. Judge Luke Bryan noted, “Gosh their are so many parallels with your voice and Dolly, and it’s just so beautifully country.” Adding on a bit of guiding direction as she moves on in the competition, he noted, “Just remember that key that you got to at the end and really live in the space cause your voice really opened up there. You’ve got the goods, and your voice is so beautiful to me.”
Unsurprisingly, Harper made it through the 10-contestant cut of the night, earning herself a spot in the reigning Final 20 in the competition. The aspiring artists will remain in Hawaii for next week’s show, airing Monday, March 16, at 8 pm on ABC, with mentors Brad Paisley and Keke Palmer stepping in for some extra guidance as the competition heats up.