From the moment John Foster began singing “She Used to Be Mine,” you could feel the shift in the room. No flashy intro. No theatrics. Just a soft, aching voice that immediately pulled everyone in.
With every word, Foster delivered the kind of performance that doesn’t need to raise its voice to be heard. His tone—gentle, slightly raspy, and full of quiet heartbreak—made it feel less like a performance and more like a private confession.
As he reached the first chorus, his voice swelled—not in volume, but in emotion. It was subtle and controlled, yet deeply stirring. You could tell he wasn’t just singing the lyrics—he was feeling them. And in doing so, he made the audience feel them too.
His face remained calm, but his voice carried the weight of every line. Every pause was intentional. Every breath was felt. There was no need for dramatic gestures—the emotion lived entirely in the sound.
Midway through the song, as the lyrics shifted to themes of loss and longing, his voice wavered ever so slightly—like he was trying not to cry. And somehow, that made the moment even more powerful.
There were no background tricks or vocal effects. What made the performance so moving was its honesty. Foster didn’t try to wow the audience with big notes—he moved them with his vulnerability.
Even the softest transitions and key changes were full of purpose. He wasn’t showing off technical skills—he was guiding us through the emotional journey of the song, step by step.
Then came the final note. Foster didn’t belt it out. He brought his voice down to a whisper—barely audible, yet completely unforgettable. It didn’t feel like an ending. It felt like a memory still hanging in the air.
That’s what makes John Foster’s performance so special. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. But it was unforgettable—because it was real.
A Tribute That Came from the Heart
Earlier in the show, Foster took another moment to honor someone close to his journey—Carrie Underwood. He covered her duet with Randy Travis, “I Told You So,” as a thank-you for her unwavering support throughout the competition.
This was his first time performing without his guitar, but he stood tall, delivering a heartfelt rendition full of respect and admiration. “I’m blushing!” Underwood said after his performance. “You keep pushing yourself, trying new things—and it’s been such a joy to watch you grow. I’ll speak for Randy Travis here—I think he would’ve loved it.”
The Top 10 Are In
With the votes tallied, the top 10 contestants moving on were announced (in no particular order):
John Foster, Josh King, Jamal Roberts, Mattie Pruitt, Thunderstorm Artis, Slater Nalley, Gabby Samone, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan, and Breanna Nix.
Sadly, Che and Filo were eliminated this round. But for the top 10, the journey continues as they take the stage again on Sunday, May 4.
@qtmandyyy No worries…its just @officialjohnfoster singing @Thenashvillepalace with James Carothers and fiddle player, Andy Varner. #johnfoster #johnfostermusic #musicbyjohnfoster #thenashvillepalace #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #nashville #musiccity #wedontownrightstothismusic #rawvideo #raw #brooksanddunn @Ronnie Dunn
