American Idol Season 21 winner Iam Tongi came to hang out on Taste of Country Nights and had something to say to Luke Bryan fans across the world.
Tongi was asked what it was like to open for Bryan at one of his shows in Florida. His sound -- a unique blend of island reggae, folk, pop, and R&B -- isn't exactly country, but that didn't stop fans from showing up and supporting him.
"That was really cool," Tongi says. "But it was such a weird feeling. I go out there and I'm like, 'Man, everybody in the lineup is singing country and I'm going out there singing, Is this love, is this love, I'm singing reggae, man.'"
Tongi explains that the jitters of opening for Bryan on such a big stage were intense on their own -- but adding the pressure of being a brand-new artist who doesn't play the kind of music the crowd paid to hear made it downright gut-wrenching.
The American Idol winner went on to say, "I just went out there and had some fun, and people were jamming out! They were all jumping, man. I was like, 'Oh shoot, they just wanna have fun too!'"
He was thrilled by how accepting Bryan's fans were of him and his music, speaking highly of the crowd and their energy. Tongi shared that Bryan's fanbase has supported him since day one of American Idol -- just like Bryan himself has.
Iam Tongi is only 21 years old and was born on Sept. 1, 2004.
Iam Tongi comes from the most western part of America, Kahuku, Hawaii.