On a sizzling Louisiana afternoon, fans from near and far gathered to cheer on American Idol finalist John Foster in a celebration that was pure southern charm. With a lively parade through his hometown of Addis and a sunset concert at Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park, the day was nothing short of unforgettable.
The excitement kicked off at 6 p.m. as Foster rolled through town atop a giant crawfish-shaped float, tossing beads and gripping his cowboy hat against the wind. The streets were lined with cheering fans, many in homemade “Team John” shirts and holding hand-painted signs.
“If George Strait is the king, then John Foster is the prince of country!” declared superfan Dempsey Stassi, who even dubbed his parked van the “John Foster Bus.” He’s been following Foster’s journey long before Idol and says it’s Foster’s voice, values, and humble charm that make him so easy to root for.
Classic cars also joined the fun — Harold and Julie Prejean drove their shiny red 1957 Chevy Bel Air in the parade, proudly flying flags and rocking a John Foster sticker on the hood. Harold recalled the first time he heard Foster sing at a local car show: “I told him right then, ‘You’ve got the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.’”
From Bayou to the Big Stage
As the sun began to set, the party moved to Bayou Plaquemine. At 7:15 p.m., Foster made a grand entrance by boat, waving to fans as they chanted his name. By 8 p.m., he was on stage, ready to turn a local concert into a national moment.
He opened with Alan Jackson’s toe-tapper “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” then kicked it up with “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis. Slowing things down, he delivered an emotional performance of “I Told You So,” a song made famous on Idol by Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis.
Fans sang along as he continued with “Neon Moon” by Brooks and Dunn — one of his most-loved Idol covers — before debuting his original ballad, “Tell That Angel I Love Her.” The song, a heartfelt tribute to his late friend Maggie Dunn, brought both tears and applause.
To close out the night, Foster had everyone on their feet with Garth Brooks’ high-energy anthem “Callin’ Baton Rouge.” Fireworks lit up the sky as he waved goodbye from his boat, floating off down the bayou, leaving fans with a night they’ll never forget.
