He may have finished second on American Idol, but John Foster just scored something way bigger than a trophy—a potential record deal with Brooks & Dunn’s label, Arista Nashville.
Just days after his powerful finale performance, country music legends Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks reportedly extended an offer to bring the 22-year-old Tennessee native into their musical family. The duo, known for their commitment to classic country roots, had been keeping a close eye on Foster throughout the season.
“He’s got that rare spark,” Kix Brooks shared in a statement. “Reminds me a little of Travis Tritt and Randy Travis, but he’s got his own sound. We believe in what he’s doing, and we want to help him make music that really lasts.”
If the deal goes through, John will join a star-studded roster at Arista Nashville, alongside artists like Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, and of course, Brooks & Dunn. It’s a major vote of confidence for a guy who was just singing on his grandparents’ porch in Knoxville not too long ago.
John’s raw, emotional performances—especially his original songs—touched fans across the country. His finale track, “Back Road Revival,” even climbed to No. 2 on the iTunes Country Chart within a day of its release, proving he’s already got a loyal following.
But behind the scenes, the end of Idol brought unexpected challenges. After the show wrapped, John was hospitalized with vocal cord strain and stress-related fatigue. The whirlwind of attention, pressure, and expectations took a toll.
“He gave everything he had,” a family member shared. “He wanted to make people proud, and he felt like he didn’t do enough. But when the call from Brooks & Dunn came, it gave him a reason to keep going. He told us, ‘If they believe in me, maybe I really do have what it takes.’”
Now back on his feet, John is expected to finalize the deal this summer. Early plans for a debut EP are already in motion, with Brooks & Dunn reportedly helping him build a dream songwriting team—and rumors of a duet with the duo have fans buzzing.
He didn’t win the Idol title, but John Foster may have just won something even better: a chance to build the kind of music career he’s always dreamed of—authentic, soulful, and built to last.
As Ronnie Dunn reportedly told him after the show, “Second place doesn’t mean it’s over. It just means your real story’s about to begin.”
