Colin Stough

Growing up in Mississippi, Colin Stough developed his craft as a singer and songwriter whose music draws deeply from classic country traditions and Southern rock influences. Following his stint on the twenty-first season of American Idol, the artist put out his initial release, the track “I Still Talk to Jesus,” during 2023.

Originating from the town of Gattman in Mississippi, Stough found himself captivated by music from a young age, acquiring his initial guitar when he reached ten years old. As a high school student in 2020, he posted a version of Chris Stapleton’s “Cold” on his social media platform, resulting in millions of streams. Additional interpretations of material by Elvis and Luke Combs helped him attract further listeners, leading him to audition for American Idol’s season 21 in 2023. His rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” impressed the panel enough to advance him, and he reached the final three contestants before being outdone by Iam Tongi, the season’s victor. Shortly thereafter came the launch of Stough’s debut single “I Still Talk to Jesus,” succeeded by “Bad Day” and “Promiseland” in the remaining months of that year.