Florence singer shines in latest American Idol performance

Kutter Bradley was the only singer out of a handful of Alabama hopefuls to make it to the top 20 on this season of American Idol.

The top 20 performances are happening in Hawaii and have been split into two episodes. Bradley’s performance was in the first episode Monday night, taking on a song by a former American Idol star.

The Shoals native performed “It’s Not Over” by Chris Daughtry, a 2006 American Idol finalist.

Watch the full performance below and see what some of the judges had to say + find out what comes next for the American Idol hopeful.

Kutter Bradley

Monday’s episode marked Bradley’s first performance on the show without a guitar in his hand.

Mentor Braid Paisley gave Bradley some tips about what to do with his hands when they’re free from the instrument. And Keke Palmer said if he can figure that part out, he’ll be just fine because “the voice is there.”

During his performance, the camera showed Bradley’s parents in the crowd (and judge Carrie Underwood) singing along with the song as Bradley paced the stage.

“I’ll tell you what I was listening to: Carrie did not miss one note, not one lyric. Between that and your dad headbanging, what the heck is going on around here?… You were familiar with that. I got right away that was in your wheelhouse. You were very, very in pocket and it showed. Really great.”

Lionel Richie

Palmer said Bradley looked more comfortable on stage, saying he was really in his own lane throughout the performance.

Carrie Underwood echoed that.

“You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

Carrie Underwood

Bradley said he chose the song by Daughtry because of his dad who put it on one of Bradley’s first MP3 players while growing up. It was a song he remembers playing in the car while riding with his dad.

I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.

Kutter Bradley on the American Idol experience

American Idol Season 24

This was the first round where the public vote will decide who moves on to the next round. Votes came in through the American Idol social media channels and through a text line but voting for the first contestants closed Tuesday, March 17 at 6AM.

The remaining top 20 contestants will perform next week.

The rest of the schedule for the shows 24th season has not been released and it’s not clear how many singers will advance to the next round once they all leave Hawaii.

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