‘American Idol’ finalist back in Louisa, performs free concert

“American Idol” finalist and Louisa native Noah Thompson rode in style during his homecoming parade Tuesday. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick

By Lilly Adkins

Lawrence County’s idol, Noah Thompson, made it to the top three on Sunday night’s “American Idol” after he performed a song with only a guitar and a stool, mesmerizing the audience with his rendition of “Working Man” by Larry Fleet.

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — Lawrence County’s Noah Thompson made it to the top three on “American Idol” Sunday night and came home Tuesday to find thousands of people waiting to see his return and congratulate him on his success thus far.

Louisa Mayor Harold Slone signed a proclamation declaring May 17 as Noah Thompson Day to recognize him for his successful advancement on “American Idol” and rallying his hometown and citizens across the nation to support him in his career in music.

The streets were lined with fans wearing their “Noah” shirts as a parade led him through town, and businesses were decorated to show their love for the hometown boy. Fans came from all over the country to witness his return home, show their support for him and, of course, attend a free concert at his alma mater, Lawrence County High School, to hear him and “special guests” sing.

At press time, the identity of the special guests had not been released.

A watch party was held Sunday night at the Garden Theater in Louisa so local residents could see favorite son Noah Thompson advance to the top three on “American Idol.” BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick

Volunteers put the homecoming together within a matter of days, and Lawrence County Tourism sold more than 1,000 “Protect the Accent” shirts to help support Thompson and show their pride in their Lawrence County idol. The shirt’s logo is a reference to a comment “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan made to Thompson after he was selected to appear on the show.

On Sunday, Thompson had recovered from his bout with COVID-19. Unlike the other contestants, he didn’t get to meet Carrie Underwood in person, but he still was mentored by her virtually.

Noah Thompson waved at fans when he arrived in downtown Louisa Tuesday morning. Photo/Pam Doty

Each of the contestants performed a song by Underwood; Thompson chose “So Small.” During his performance, he moved around on stage more than he had during any of his performances. Bryan came out of his seat, walked onto the stage with him and led him over to the people lining the stage so he could touch their hand.

“I don’t know what you found between those two ferns for a full week, but it was good, and I have never seen you move from that stage to this stage,” judge Katy Perry said, referencing his previous week’s performance when he sang in his hotel room in between two plants.

Judge Lionel Richie told Thompson that what makes him so appealing is him being “a real person.”

“On top of that, you have the ability to tell stories,” Richie said. “You can tell stories, you’re believable, but more importantly, I want you to understand something. There’s a point in your life, it happens to all of us, where we sit there and say, ‘Wow, is this really happening to me?’ Noah, this is really happening to you.”

For his second performance, Thompson sang “Working Man” by Larry Fleet with nothing but his guitar and a stool, mesmerizing the audience.

“All I got to say is, Noah, you just aced that test,” Perry told him.

“You on a guitar with a stool is enough to hold any room in any world that you’re in,” Bryan said.

Thompson will join HunterGirl and Leah Marlene in Sunday night’s finale.