Natchez teen gets golden ticket on American Idol

Bryce McGlothin, a not quite 17-year-old student of Cathedral High School in Natchez, auditioned for the 20th season of American Idol and earned a golden ticket to Hollywood. His air time has not been announced, but as auditions wind down it is likely that he could be featured this Sunday on ABC.

His performance of CCR’s “Born on the Bayou” pushed him through three rounds of virtual auditions before finally performing on the American Idol stage.

“I did make it through the first round, I got a golden ticket and went on to Hollywood Week,” McGlothin told the Natchez Democrat.

McGlothin said it was an honor to perform for Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. He said it was also nerve-racking.

“These are three people just like me. I had to get that in my head,” he said.

Besides getting to meet the superstar judges, the American Idol audition has brought other opportunities to the young musician. After the first round, McGlothin signed with PCG, an artist development company based in Nashville. PCG hooked him up with a vocal coach as well as a social media coach.

“It has shown me what the music industry looks for in an artist,” McGlothin said. “They gave me some constructive criticism and since then I’ve really tried to perfect my music.”

McGlothin grew up watching his dad’s band and says his parents have always been supportive of his dream.

“My mom (Elizabeth Atkins-McGlothin) is one of my biggest supporters and my dad was in a band for 40 years. Watching him when I was a little kid shaped who I am as a musician.”

Now, McGlothin has a band of his own called “Easily Distracted” with his friend Tyler Gregg. To learn more about Bryce McGlothin’s music and upcoming shows, visit www.brycemcglothin.com.