American Idol 2024 Audition: Max Dasher Covers Utah Phillips ‘Rock Salt & Nails,’ Reminds Lionel Richie of James Dean
American Idol 2024 auditions continue on Sunday (March 3) with a new crop of hopefuls, including a VERY nervous 18 year old Country singer, Max Dasher.
The Black Mountain, North Carolina native is so nervous, he almost forgot his name in front of the judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. But once he begins his audition, an authentic acoustic performance of “Rock Salt & Nails,” by Utah Phillips, he settles in for the most part.
“You have that sparkle,” Katy said after the performance. “It’s the stuff. There’s an undeniable authenticity. It’s like a gold rush.”
“Here’s lesson No. 1,” said Luke as he got up out of his chair. After flipping up the collar of Max’s jacket, and taking his guitar, Luke instructed the young singer to make another entrance, but with swagger. “You got to have the strut,” Luke instructed. After a second try, in which the nervous singer came out of his shell enough to point at Katy flirtatiously, Luke is satisfied. “Way to go buddy!’ Lionel remarked. “Is that Rob Pattinson!” Katy squealed.
“See, what I love about you,” said Luke, “is you just did your audition exactly the way I would have. Freaking out, playing the guitar like you were trying to break a string.” Luke added, “If we can get you to breathe and calm down, and understand that you’re pretty damn cool, man you’ve got a little bit of magic to you.”
“Your manta should be “I’m 18 and look like James Dean,” added Lionel. Max laughed nervously. Any bets on whether the teen from small town North Carolina has any clue about the 50’s movie icon James Dean? His mother would probably know. Or more likely, grandma.
Mex’s sister Laela joins him and auditions as well, according to psoilers.
“You’re going to have to bump up your vocals,” Lionel added, “But remember, your attitude comes with it.” At that, Max received 3 yeses, advancing him to the Hollywood round.
In the meantime, Max’s sister Laela Dasher was outside with host Ryan Seacrest listening in and anticipating her brother’s fate. “He sounds incredible,” she said, “I just hope the judges think so!” It’s not included in the below clip but according to photos from the ABC press site, and spoilers, Laela joins her brother on the seal and auditions as well. According to @IdolSpoilers, She sang John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery.” Additionally, she and Max dueted on “Rivers and Roads.”
American Idol airs on Sundays on ABC at 8 pm ET/PT and streams the following day on Hulu.
