John Foster Shares How His Family Helped Launch His Music Career

John Foster Shares How His Uncle Shaped His Music Career

American Idol finalist John Foster recently shared how he never planned to have a career in music, but a family member was the catalyst to push him to take this path.

The country singer explained that growing up, he wanted to be a paleontologist or doctor, and being a “rock star” was never on his mind.

“I never wanted to be a musician. I’m not one of those people that you know was 3 or 4 or 5 years old and said ‘I wanna be a huge rock star one day,'” Foster said.

However, Foster’s uncle had deep connections in the music industry and encouraged him to sing.

“So my uncle Galen Martin is the reason I’m a musician, I’ll tell – I’ll tell everybody that,” the Louisiana-native said. “And so when I started to kind of feel out music and think about exactly what I may wanna do, he was there to push me, sometimes physically push me on the stage.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Fable House Podcast (@thefablehousepod)

Foster Says The Crowd’s Enthusiasm Encouraged Him To Pursue Music

The singer admitted that seeing positive reactions from even the small amount of people in attendance were instrumental moments that gave him the confidence to pursue music.

“I would get on stage and there was a very positive reaction and that was kinda my, those positive reactions from the crowd from those little bitty crowds that I thought were huge…as a very young musician, just being in front of a crowd was incredible.”

Foster explained that the people who showed him support from the very start will always hold a special place in his heart.

“You could’ve swore I was playing in the Grand Ole Opry, because man even those 40, 50 people that were in attendance that day, were huge to me,” he continued.

The American Idol runner-up shared how if it weren’t for those moments of his uncle pushing him in more ways than one, he wouldn’t be where is today.

“I would say it were those early moments of my uncle pushing me on stage, my uncle pushing me in front of these people and their support,” Foster said of what impacted his journey the most.

John Foster’s Career Is Continuing To Soar Post Idol

Foster came in second during the season finale, just behind soulful Jamal Roberts.

“Man, what a true blessing to share this Idol stage with so many incredible heroes, both new faces and legends. I’m beyond thankful, and I can’t wait to keep making music for y’all as long as the good Lord lets me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart – times a million.” the country singer wrote on social media following the show.

Although Foster came in second on Idol, his career is absolutely just getting started.

Earlier this month, the country singer made his Grand Ole Opry debut, wowing the crowd with his rendition of “Murder on Music Row,” a duet by Alan Jackson and George Straight and a beautiful version of “How Great Thou Art.”

The singer shared his excitement on social media, recalling that performing at the Opry is a lifelong “dream come true.”

“I fought back tears because I was so overwhelmed with joy,” Foster posted on Facebook, recalling his initial Grand Ole Opry trip. “As an amateur country music historian, there is no more significant place to my passion (country music) than the Grand Ole Opry. This has been my #1 dream ever since I started music, and now, because of your support, my dream will come true!”