All three American Idol judges served high praise for Hannah Harper’s sweeping cover of a great Merle Haggard ballad. Carrie Underwood even made the young finalist promise she’d record a proper version soon.
Harper — a 25-year-old mother of three from Bunker, Mo. — was coasting up to this point. Season 24 favorites include Jordan McCullough and Keyla Richardson, with the remaining singers offering consistently solid performances.
READ MORE: Every American Idol Winner Ranked, Least to Most Memorable
Hannah Harper’s American Idol Country Covers
Her country cred was always present but not quite as celebrated even though she’s performed nearly a half dozen great country songs since the Top 20 round:
- ‘Ohana Round: “Go Rest High On That Mountain” by Vince Gill
- Top 12 90s Songs: “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina
- Top 11 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: The Chicks, “Landslide”
- Top 7 Taylor Swift / California Songs Night: “Mean” by Taylor Swift, “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Merle Haggard
On Monday (April 27), Harper picked Haggard’s “That’s the Way Love Goes,” a Grammy-winning, No. 1 hit in 1983. The oft-covered song (Johnny Rodriguez actually made it a hit first, in 1973) wasn’t a populist pick but Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie all heaped praise on her.
In singing the song, Harper did the thing so few American Idol finalists have the courage to do: she let the song do the heavy lifting. This wasn’t a made-for-television moment, it was a beautiful song interpretation that showcased her maturity.
Watch Hannah Harper Sing Merle Haggard
This performance helped get Harper into the Top 5. Next week will find voters trimming the field once more, to a Top 3 ahead of the May 11 finale on ABC.
Who Is Hannah Harper?
Harper grew up in rural Missouri as part of a family band called the Harper Family. They were a bluegrass-inspired gospel band through which she not only learned multiple instruments, but honed her songwriting.
Flash-forward to now and she’s a young mother to three small boys willing to focus on the hard parts. During her audition, she performed an original called “String Cheese” which she said helped her beat postpartum depression after the birth of her then 1-year-old.
Read More: Who’s Left On American Idol? Top 5 Revealed
That moment led to legends like Lee Ann Womack responding publicly, which was surreal for Harper. She remains humble on the Idol with a guitar strap that roots her. Look closely and you’ll find drawings of her three boys across it.
Every ‘American Idol’ Winner Ranked: Least To Most Memorable
We’ve sorted each of the show’s 23 champions in order of who is most famous to country fans. No. 1 may be predictable but a thorough scroll may trigger voting memories from seasons past, plus an update on who is still active in music today.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Remaining ‘American Idol’ Contestants: Season 24
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
