In a small town in Louisiana, stories live in old photographs, passed down from grandparents to grandchildren. On American Idol’s Hollywood Week stage, John Foster brought one of those stories to life. Millions now follow John Foster for their raw honesty and relatable feelings, and his performance of “In Color” showed exactly why his voice speaks to so many.
The song, originally by Jamey Johnson, is about looking at black-and-white pictures and remembering the real moments behind them; times of love, war, and survival. Foster’s version felt quiet but powerful. You could hear pride, pain, and love in every note. He sang it like he’d heard these stories before like they belonged to someone in his own family. His voice was gentle, but his emotion was strong.
John Foster | In Color | Hollywood Week: Showstopper | American Idol 2025
Listeners say the performance felt like sitting down with someone you trust, someone who remembers things you’ve only heard about. John showed two sides on stage; one that tells the story, and one that feels every word. When he sang “You should’ve seen it in color,” it wasn’t just a lyric. It was a reminder to look deeper, to feel more.
You can hear that same emotional honesty in his performance of “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn. If “In Color” is about remembering what was, “Neon Moon” is about sitting alone with what’s been lost. It’s a softer, lonelier kind of sadness. But it’s just as real. Foster’s voice in this performance is full of quiet heartbreak, and it shows how deeply he understands the stories behind country songs.
John Foster Covers “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn | American Idol
In “Neon Moon,” John leans into the silence between words. His voice feels fragile in the best way like someone still healing. He doesn’t try to impress the crowd. He just tells the truth. And that’s what makes him special. He’s not just a great singer. He’s a great storyteller.
John Foster doesn’t need big lights or loud sounds to move people. Just a guitar, a mic, and the truth. Follow him on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. His next song might be exactly what you need to hear.