Whether or not he becomes the next American Idol, Thunderstorm Artis is already living his dream.
On Sunday’s episode of the singing competition series, the 29-year-old musician came face-to-face with one of his biggest musical inspirations, six-time Grammy-winner James Taylor.
The “Sweet Baby James” singer was a guest mentor to contestants as they sang to secure their spot in the Top 12, but forged a unique connection with Artis. When the American Idol hopefuls were tasked with singing a song from a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Artis decided not to look too far off.
“I’m singing a song that maybe you’ve heard of before,” Artis said cheekily, during his meeting with Taylor. “It’s called ‘Fire and Rain.’ Some guy wrote it.”
“A fine choice,” Taylor quipped in response.
James Taylor and Thunderstorm Artis. John Shearer/Getty; Disney/Eric McCandless
In a clip of their coaching session, Artis then performed his cover of Taylor’s 1970 hit, as he sat back on a stool and watched. Afterward, Taylor was very complimentary, but also offered the younger singer some advice.
“Beautiful. I would just say, remember to keep contact with the audience, keep them involved,” Taylor said. “But you did a version of that that I haven’t heard [before]. Really unique.”
Artis replied, “It’s so special hearing you say that because I’ve connected with your music my entire life.”
Before their meeting, Artis shared that Taylor’s music had “really shaped me as an individual throughout my life,” adding that he first started listening to him at six years old.
In his own private chat with host Ryan Seacrest, Taylor shared that he felt connected to Artis after hearing him sing: “I see him as sort of a version of me,” he shared. “The emotional connection that he has with music it’s a special thing.”
Artis’ live show performance ultimately earned him nothing but praise from the judges during Sunday’s live show.
“It had hints of James Taylor but it had a lot of you,” Luke Bryan told him. “I’m so jealous of you that you got to sit there with him and play that song with him. But way to be you, beneath the Thunderstorm Artis.”
Judge Lionel Richie made sure to let the contestant know that he had a high bar to clear, as Richie, too has a personal connection to Taylor’s music.
“First, I became a writer because I was listening to James Taylor,” he shared. “Secondly, that’s one of my favorite songs by him. And third… You absolutely turned it into your song. What a masterful job.”
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Added Carrie Underwood, “Well done on holding your own with somebody like James Taylor and taking his song and unabashedly singing it your way.”
When Seacrest joined Artis onstage, the singer made it clear that he was still reeling from the experience of not just meeting but singing with Taylor.
“I was melting in my seat. I was nervous as heck, but I wasn’t showing it on the outside,” he admitted. “That was like a dream come true, that was my 6-year-old dream right there, just coming to life.”
The dream isn’t over just yet: the end of the episode saw Artis safe as part of the Top 12 finalists. It was singers Amanda Barise and Desmond Roberts who did not receive enough votes to advance.
Watch Artis cover James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” above.
