Jake Thistle posted this picture of himself on social media.
In an episode of the 24th season of “American Idol” that aired tonight, New Jersey singer-songwriter Jake Thistle earned yes votes from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, receiving a Golden Ticket that will allow him to advance to the competition’s Hollywood Week. You can watch his performance, of Blind Faith’s ‘Can’t Find My Way Home,” below.
As the 21-year-old Thistle — a Paramus native who recently graduated from Rutgers University — performed, Bryan said that he “sounds like Bryan Adams, a little bit.”
“I love your confidence,” Bryan said after the song was over.
Richie said that the performance was “fresh” and that “you’re checkin’ some boxes for me.”
Underwood said he had a “very cool voice.” After Thistle said that he started playing he was 9, she added that “you can tell you’ve been playing, you can tell you are comfortable with the guitar. I’m excited for you.”
The show’s “Hollywood Week” is actually taking place this year in Nashville. “Hollywood Week” episodes will air Feb. 23 and March 2 on ABC.
Previous NJArts.net interviews:
Jake Thistle, 16, makes surprisingly mature music in the spirit of Petty, Springsteen and Browne
Jake Thistle, a veteran rock artist at 21, will celebrate milestone birthday with Wonder Bar concert
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