Brown choose to sing a song his dad wrote, making for a heartfelt father-son moment.
Christian Brown; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Christian Brown, 23, is following in his father’s footsteps and carrying on the musical legacy in the family. Country fans know his father, Marty Brown, as the songwriter behind Tracy Byrd’s hit “I’m From The Country” and a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Now, Christian is launching his own journey, starting with his audition on American Idol.
He explained to judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan that he currently works as a delivery driver in Franklin, KY, however it’s clear that he is destined for much more. Before proving his own talent, he proudly shared a few of his dad’s career highlights.
“He put out three records in the ’90s. He’s played on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He’s a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. He is all in all just a great songwriter, great singer, and a great dad,” Christian shared.
The audition started out on a lighthearted note as the father and son delivered a few lines of “I’m From The Country” and then it was time for Christian to take center stage and prove why he deserves a spot in the competition. The hopeful singer choose to sing another song his father wrote called “Wildest Dreams,” which was inspired by fatherhood.
“It’s a song about how much you love somebody. I’m going to be singing for my dad. It’s my way of telling him I love him too. I would not be where I am today without him.”
With his dad watching in awe and tears swelling up in his eyes, Christian belted out the emotional tune that hones in on the moment a father realizes that his children are the reason he wakes up every day filled with so much love in his heart. He delivered a slow, twangy strum that immediately pulls the audience into the story while his gritty vocals made the sound unmistakably his own.
Silence filled the room as he sang the final notes and instantly earned a round of applause and an excited “that’s my boy” from his emotional dad.
Bryan caught wind of the love between the father and son and noted, “It’s got to make you proud to watch your boy do that, right?”
“Yes, it really does,” Marty responded.
Richie was first to share his thoughts. He began by joking that he could take both Christian and Marty on the road right now and “make a lot of money,” but then revealed that he instantly fell in love with the budding artist before him.
“Your enthusiasm on performing, I love. I want to hear more from your vocals.”
Underwood pointed out the “surprising range” that his vocals offer and commended him on the high notes that are “a weapon in your arsenal for sure.”
Last to comment was Bryan, who was quick to agree with his fellow judges in regards to Christian’s talent.
“I think you definitely got all the tools to really see some rounds in this competition. I think really digging more and more…It’s a big time competition, but I want to see you go after that. I want to see you grow. I’m a yes.”
Bryan’s “yes” was followed by two more from Underwood and Richie meaning Christian Brown earned a golden ticket and is heading into Hollywood week.
The judges weren’t the only ones who were impressed with the audition. After watching his son earn his spot in the competition, he admitted that watching the 22-year-old made him feel like he was that age again.
“Well, I’m going to tell you, I was moved. It just felt like I was … He made me feel like I was 22 again.”
The pair exchanged a few “I love yous,” reflecting on the moment that was made even more unforgettable because they got to experience it together.
“That’s what this is all about,” he added. “It’s just a moment that we will have forever in our lives together.”
Christian’s journey continues as Idol heads to Nashville for Hollywood week once auditions come to a close. New episodes air Monday nights at 8/7c on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
Source: countrynow.com