John Foster Wows with “Amarillo by Morning” on Idol — A Performance So Good, It Deserves a Spot on the Charts
With a voice tailor-made for country radio and the charm of a seasoned performer, John Foster has captivated audiences across America — but for those who’ve followed his journey from the beginning, his star power was clear long before American Idol.
One performance, in particular, is now getting renewed attention online: Foster’s soulful hometown cover of George Strait’s “Amarillo by Morning.”
The Cover That Started It All
Before stepping onto the Idol stage, Foster took part in a small-town event where he performed the George Strait classic with stunning precision. The clarity, confidence, and emotion he brought to the song left the audience in awe — and now, years later, the performance is being hailed as one of the best “Amarillo by Morning” covers in recent memory.
🎶 “It’s so polished, you’d think it was a studio recording already climbing the charts.”
The resurfaced video has sparked a wave of praise on social media, where fans are once again discovering how Foster’s raw talent was undeniable from the very beginning.
From Small Stage to American Idol Spotlight
Now a Top 10 finalist on American Idol Season 23, Foster has built on that early momentum with a series of standout performances. Most recently, his emotional rendition of “I Told You So” — originally by Randy Travis, and famously reimagined as a duet with Carrie Underwood — earned him a standing ovation and one of the most heartfelt responses of the season.
The performance served as a tribute to Underwood, now one of the show’s judges, and showed just how much Foster respects the roots of country music.
“I was blushing!” Carrie admitted, visibly touched by the nod.
Mentorship, Emotion, and a Moment to Remember
During rehearsal, Foster was mentored by Fantasia Barrino, American Idol’s Season 3 winner. In a lighthearted moment, Fantasia jokingly called him a “Ken doll,” but quickly recognized the emotional depth he brings to his performances.
For “I Told You So,” Foster left his signature guitar behind, opting instead to sit center stage and focus on pure vocal delivery and emotional storytelling. It was a bold move — and it paid off.
Fans immediately took to social media with reactions:
“If it were up to me, John Foster would be the winner.”
“Watching John Foster sing ‘I Told You So’ to Carrie Underwood had me bawling — he’s incredible!”
The Future of Country Music Starts Here
Whether he’s singing in a small-town auditorium or performing live in front of millions, John Foster consistently proves that he’s not just another Idol contestant — he’s a rising country star.
💬 And for fans who’ve been watching from the beginning, his “Amarillo by Morning” cover wasn’t just a beautiful performance — it was the very first sign that greatness was coming.
