Caleb Lee Hutchinson (born March 2, 1999) is an American singer-songwriter, and runner-up on the sixteenth season of American Idol.
Early life Caleb Lee Hutchinson was born in Dallas, Georgia, to William and Piper Hutchinson. He has a brother Tyler. He started playing guitar when he was 12, attended South Paulding High School, and graduated in 2017. In 2015, at age 16, Hutchinson appeared on the ninth season of The Voice auditioning with "The Dance", but none of the presiding judges Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton turned their chair, and Hutchinson was eliminated from the show.
American Idol In 2018, he auditioned to season 16 of American Idol with the song "If It Hadn't Been for Love" from The SteelDrivers. All three judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan voted "yes" for him to continue. During the season, he sang "Die a Happy Man" (Top 24), "Midnight Train to Memphis" (Top 14), "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Top 10), "When Doves Cry and "Amazed" (Top 7), "So Small" and "Stars in Alabama" (Top 5) qualifying for the shows' finale. On May 20, 2018, he performed "Don't Close Your Eyes", "Folsom Prison Blues" and his single was "Johnny Cash Heart" finishing runner-up to winner Maddie Poppe.
From the time he first appeared on the show until the end of the season he lost about 70 pounds.People.com: American Idol Contestant Caleb Lee Hutchinson Details Amazing 70-Lb. Weight Loss During the final, Caleb declared that he and winner Maddie Poppe were dating.
+EpisodeThemeSong ChoiceOriginal ArtistOrder #ResultAuditionAuditioner's ChoiceIf It Hadn't Been for LoveThe SteelDriversN/AAdvancedTop 24 Solo/DuetContestant's ChoiceDie a Happy Man Meant to Be (with Bebe Rexha)Thomas Rhett Bebe Rexha1AdvancedTop 14Contestant's Choice Victory SongMidnight Train to Memphis Gettin' You HomeChris Stapleton Chris Young1 9SafeTop 10DisneyYou've Got a Friend in MeRandy Newman and Lyle Lovett8SafeTop 7Prince Year You Were BornWhen Doves Cry AmazedPrince Lonestar14 6SafeTop 5Carrie Underwood Mother's DaySo Small Stars in AlabamaCarrie Underwood Jamey Johnson4 9SafeFinaleWinner's Single Reprise Song
Hometown DecisionJohnny Cash Heart Don't Close Your Eyes
Folsom Prison BluesCaleb Lee Hutchinson Keith Whitley
Johnny Cash1 4
7Runner-up
Music career Hutchinson's song on American Idol, "Johnny Cash Heart", was released after his performance on the show. The song charted at number 16 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart on its first week of release.
On 28 June 2019, Hutchinson released a self-titled EP, produced by Kristian Bush of Sugarland. Two songs from the EP, "Left of Me" and a cover of Post Malone's song "Better Now" were first released in January 2019.
Discography Albums +YearTitle2023Southern Galactic
Extended plays Title EP detailsCaleb Lee Hutchinson Release Date: June 28, 2019Slot Machine Syndrome Release Date: September 17, 2021Songs I'll Never Play Again Release Date: October 28, 2022
Singles Year Title Album 2018 "Johnny Cash Heart" rowspan=5 2019"Better Now""Left of Me"2021"Who I Am""Slot Machine Syndrome"2023"Silverado"Southern Galactic"I Miss You"2024"White Dress" ft. Remo DriveMercy (Deluxe)2025"One Trick Pony"Non-album Single
References
External links Hutchinson Caleb Lee Hutchinson on American Idol