American Idol 2023: Oliver Steele’s original song “Too Soon” climbs the charts
When American Idol contestant Oliver Steele took the stage on the Top 20 episode Sunday night (April 23) with his first original song this season, judge Katy Perry was impressed, but wondered why he “didn’t show that earlier.”
“It wasn’t recorded yet!” he exclaimed about the new song, “Too Soon.” And, indeed, the singer had only released the acoustic love ballad three weeks ago. After performing it live on stage, “Too Soon” began climbing the iTunes charts. When it hit No. 3 on the Top 40 US R&B and Soul Tracks chart Oliver wrote on Instagram, “I DONT KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED, BUT I COULD CRY RIGHT NOW!!! thank you to my @pitchmeeting family for making this dream possible!!!”
The folks he named checked in the message are a part of Pitch Music, a non profit artist development organization. The group’s recording arm produced and released the song. They also put together open mic nights in Nashville for aspiring artists. American Idol alums Maddie Poppe, Walker Burroughs and Leah Marlene have performed on their stages. (Maddie has mentioned in interviews that she and Oliver are friends).
“This feels like a dream”
Eventually, the song rose to No. 1, afterwhich Oliver wrote, “Guys…this feels like a dream I should’ve woken up from now,” Oliver wrote on Instagram. “I keep thinking this isn’t possible….to @soohungry @mp_gannon @jbmookie @danbankhurst @liamplaysdrums please know that you guys are the reason this happened and you’ve changed my life forever. I love every single one of you, as well as the rest of my musical family back home!!
Produced by Mike Gannon, Oliver penned “Too Soon” on his own.
Oliver’s touching story
The singer-songwriter works in Nashville, but was born in Michigan and raised in Mt. Juliet TN. His father, an accomplished blues guitarist accompanied Oliver to his Idol audition, despite having suffered a recent stroke that made it difficult to walk. Oliver said during his emotional audition, that if his father were able, he would have accompanied him on guitar.
In his Top 20 video package, Oliver explained that the hospital had just released his father after a five week stay, and that he is currently on dialysis. But what keeps him going is knowing that his dad supports his musical ambitions 100 percent.
Oliver’s performance of “Too Soon” propelled him into the Top 10 based on America’s Voee. He’ll perform again on Sunday April 30 for Hall of Fame night, and a chance to make the Top 10.
