A 17-year-old stepped onto that stage, heart pounding like boots on a wooden porch, ready to prove he had country music running through his veins. With a cover of George Strait’s classic, he didn’t just sing—he owned it. The moment his voice filled the room, it was pure, undeniable country. Carrie Underwood couldn’t help but harmonize, her voice weaving into his like two old friends at a front porch jam session. Then, as if the magic couldn’t get any stronger, Luke Bryan got pulled into the moment, sliding onto the piano bench and singing right along with him. By the time the last note faded, there was no question—this Alabama teen wasn’t just good. He was golden. And with a Golden Ticket in hand, he’s heading straight for Hollywood.

American Idol is back with the season 23 premiere airing Sunday night (March 9). The two-hour show brought loads of talent, including an impressive George Strait cover that was pure country.

17-year-old Crews Wright stood in front of the judges to showcase his voice and his showmanship with a cover of George Strait’s “The Fireman.” The Samson, Alabama, native told local media, “I grew up in music my whole life. I remember singing, you know, since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. My mom, she sang a little bit, and I grew up in church, and I sung hymns and sung in church a lot … That’s really kind of what kicked off my music.”

Crews brought his talent to American Idol and garnered attention for the judges for both his voice and his personality. The energetic teen livened up the show with his rowdy cover of “The Fireman” by George Strait. Carrie Underwood sang along in harmony, and Luke Bryan got roped into playing the piano and singing along with Wright.

The audition earned Crews a unanimous vote from the judges to advance to the Hollywood round of competition.

Story Behind “The Fireman”

“The Fireman” was released as a single by George Strait in 1984. It was the third and final release from his album, Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind.

The song has been covered by numerous artists, but most notably by Alan Jackson. Jackson performed the song for the George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert in honor of King George.

Prior to paying tribute to George, Alan told the crowd, “I started listening to George’s music back in the ’80s when I was a young man down in Georgia. I thought then, he’s just a good ol’ boy from Texas that likes country music. And after knowing him for 20 years, you take all that hit stuff away from him, he still seems like a good ol’ boy from Texas that likes country music.”

Alan explained that he chose to cover “The Fireman” because it’s a song he sang “many a night in a smoky bar just wishing I was George Strait back then.”