Huntington Quarterly Summer 2022

Noah performed Larry Fleet's "Working Man" to a captivated audience.

but it would be awesome to blend our different styles together and see what we create.” As he looks ahead to the future, Thompson said he’d love to have as many shows as he can back home after receiving so much support from the Tri-State area. “I feel like it was such a proud thing for the entire community. We aren’t usually put on the map, especially on national television, and it seemed like everyone came together to share that pride. The whole point of joining the show is to build a fan base, but it feels like I’ve got forever fans here. I’d love to come to Huntington one day … The people of West Virginia have always been so nice and welcoming.” Representing Appalachia, and Kentucky specifically, has been a blessing for Thompson as he con tinues to learn all he can during this journey. “I feel like God has a plan for ev erything, and for some crazy reason, this was supposed to happen. I didn’t expect to win the show. I went into American Idol just being who I am; I wasn’t trying to change for any body. For me, it’s always been about the music.”

Noah with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie.

WithKentuckymusic on themap in recent years withGrammyAward nomineeTyler Childers and TheVoice finalist Holly Forbes, Thompson noted it feels like country artists from this region are beginning to get the attention they deserve. “I think it’s special — where we’re from.We’re all simple people. We’ve learned to enjoy the little things, and we are who we are. It’s not just the fame and the money, it’s the music,” Thompson said with passion. “I actually got to meet Holly, and have listened to Tyler for years, and I feel like I would die and go to heaven if we ever got to collaborate. It’s not something we’ve ever discussed,

MEGAN ARCHER is a freelance writer living in Huntington, West Virginia.

One of Noah's first to-dos after winning American Idol was to cut his grass.

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