Colin Stough is an American country-rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Gattman, Mississippi, best known as a Top 3 finalist on Season 21 of American Idol in 2023.
After signing with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville, his music has accumulated more than 19.8 million global on-demand streams across two EPs and multiple singles.
Who is Colin Stough?
Colin Stough is a self-taught guitarist and singer-songwriter from a small village near Amory, Mississippi.
He rose to national attention on American Idol Season 21, where his gravelly voice and honest delivery earned praise from judges Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie.
Luke Bryan told Colin during his audition that he is “what American Idol is about.” Katy Perry added that he has “the magic,” and Lionel Richie told him the opportunity would change his life.
Before the show, Colin worked full-time as an HVAC technician after graduating high school. His mother, not Colin himself, submitted his name to audition for American Idol, and the rest followed from there.
He finished third on Season 21 behind winner Iam Tongi and runner-up Megan Danielle. Following the show, he relocated to Nashville to pursue music full-time.
His music blends the distortion of Southern rock with the storytelling of traditional country. By 2025, he had performed at CMA Fest in Nashville and headlined shows across the United States.
Early Life of Colin Stough
Colin Stough was born on July 18, 2004, in Gattman, Mississippi, a small village near Amory with fewer than 100 residents.
His mother, Nara Johnson Goza, raised him largely on her own after separating from his biological father.
His biological father chose alcohol and drugs over the family. Colin spoke publicly about the situation on American Idol, saying his father’s absence made him feel like he wasn’t good enough as a son.
After the separation, Nara brought Colin back to Gattman, her native home, where most of his extended family, including his grandparents, an aunt and uncle, and cousins, lived on the same property.
Colin later said he felt connected to the place because of how much history it held for him.
Nara later married Bunky Goza, who previously served as the director of Monroe County Emergency Operations and also worked at North Mississippi Health Services. Colin grew up in Gattman with Nara, Bunky, and their two dogs.
Music became Colin’s escape from a young age. At 10, he boldly traded childhood possessions for his first guitar at a local pawn shop, an instrument he still plays today.
His mother recognized his talent early and encouraged him to keep developing it.
Colin Stough Age / Birthday
Colin Stough is 22 years old as of 2026, born on July 18, 2004, in Gattman, Mississippi. His birthday falls in mid-July.
His zodiac sign is Cancer, a sign known for emotional depth and loyalty, qualities that show clearly in his personal storytelling through music. Since relocating to Nashville, he writes and records new material daily.
Colin Stough Ethnicity and Nationality
Colin Stough is American, born and raised in Mississippi. His ethnicity is White, and he grew up in a tight-knit rural community where family ties and small-town values shaped both his character and his music.
His upbringing in Gattman, a village surrounded by grandparents and cousins, gave his songs a strong sense of place and belonging. That connection to Mississippi runs through both of his EPs.
Colin Stough Height and Weight
Colin Stough stands 5 feet 7 inches tall, or approximately 170 centimeters. His weight is reported at around 132 pounds, which is approximately 60 kilograms.
On stage, he carries a physically commanding presence for his size, driven by the intensity of his vocal delivery and his guitar playing.
His performances are defined by raw energy rather than polish.
Colin Stough Musical Style and Influences
Colin’s music sits at the intersection of gritty Southern rock and traditional country.
His voice carries a natural rasp that drew comparisons to classic rock-inflected country artists from the first time judges heard him audition.
He grew up listening to a wide range of music and developed his ear for storytelling through years of writing songs on his own before American Idol.
His debut EP Promiseland featured five of the six tracks as co-writes with Colin’s name on them.
After signing with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville, his sound has moved toward co-productions that keep his rougher edges while building out the arrangements.
He has co-written songs with songwriters including Alex Maxwell, Lewis Brice, and Rivers Rutherford.
Colin Stough Education
Colin attended Hatley High School in Mississippi, where he developed his love for music alongside his studies.
He graduated and immediately took a full-time job as an HVAC technician before his music path opened up.
His mother later convinced him to try out for American Idol, an opportunity he had not sought on his own.
Up to that point, his musical education came entirely from self-teaching on guitar and writing songs in his spare time.
He moved to Nashville following his American Idol run and shifted to a daily routine of writing, recording, and taking industry meetings.
Colin Stough Career
Early Start and Social Media (2018-2022)
Colin first started sharing his music online in November 2018, posting covers of songs by American artists to social media. His videos drew an audience well before he appeared on television.
His cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Cold” became one of his most shared early videos. Fans connected with his raw vocal delivery and his stripped-back style of performing with just a guitar.
By 2022, he was still working as an HVAC technician while posting music on the side. His mother saw his potential before most others did and eventually submitted his name for American Idol.
American Idol Season 21 (2023)
Colin auditioned for Season 21 of American Idol with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” a performance that immediately turned the judges’ heads.
Luke Bryan called it a standout and said Colin represents exactly what the show hopes to find.
Throughout the season, Colin delivered performances that ranged from classic rock covers to original material.
He advanced through every round on the strength of his vocal authenticity and the connection he built with the audience.
He finished third behind Iam Tongi and Megan Danielle in the May 2023 finale. Before the finale, the Top 5 contestants released original songs, and Colin took part in that release as well.
Shortly after the show wrapped, he released his first standalone singles, “I Still Talk to Jesus” and “Bad Day,” both of which gave fans a first look at his original voice as a writer.
Signing with BMG Nashville and EP Releases (2023-Present)
Colin signed with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville following his Idol run, joining a roster that has included several established country and rock-country artists.
The signing marked his shift from TV contestant to professional recording artist.
His debut EP, Promiseland, dropped in October 2023. Produced by Alex Maxwell, Sean Rogers, and Austin Shawn, it featured six tracks across a range of emotional territory. Colin co-wrote five of the six songs on the project.
The title track, “Promiseland,” stood as his tribute to his hometown and roots. Other tracks on the EP included “‘Til the Day One Does,” “If Not For Me,” “Shoulda Called Her,” “Sleep Tonight,” and “Lonely Hour.”
He followed Promiseland with his second EP, Lookin’ For Home, released on July 12, 2024. The six-track project carried the theme of a restless young man searching for meaning beyond his hometown. Colin co-wrote all six tracks on the EP.
The Lookin’ For Home tracklist included “Boat Somewhere,” “Makes Two of Us,” “Amen,” “Sober,” “Outside Lookin’ In,” and the title track.
He also performed at CMA Fest 2024 on the Hard Rock Stage in Nashville on June 8, 2024.
In May 2025, Colin released his single “White Trash,” a track co-written with Jamie Collazo and Kenny Whitmire that drew directly from his personal experiences.
He headlined the 2025 Mississippi Makers Fest in downtown Jackson on May 10, 2025.
His music has now surpassed 19.8 million global on-demand streams. He has opened for artists including Chase Matthew, Kidd G, and Drake White, and toured with fellow American Idol alum Will Moseley in 2024.
Colin Stough Discography
| Year | Title | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | “I Still Talk to Jesus” | Single | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2023 | “Bad Day” | Single | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2023 | Promiseland | EP | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2024 | “Makes Two of Us” | Single | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2024 | “Sober” | Single | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2024 | Lookin’ For Home | EP | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
| 2025 | “White Trash” | Single | 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville |
Colin Stough Awards and Recognition
Stough did not win American Idol Season 21, but his third-place finish on one of the longest-running music competition shows in the United States placed him among the season’s most memorable performers.
Colin’s audition performance of “Simple Man” became one of the most-discussed moments of the season.
His signing with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville placed him on one of the stronger country-rock rosters in Nashville.
Colin’s appearance at CMA Fest 2024, one of the largest annual country music events in the country, reflected the industry recognition he has built since the show.
His music passing 19.8 million global on-demand streams as of the label’s published biography further shows the audience he has built independently from television recognition.
Colin Stough Tours and Concerts
After his American Idol season, Colin spent much of 2023 headlining shows across the United States. He also served as support for artists including Kidd G and Drake White during that period.
In 2024, he joined Chase Matthew’s Come Get Your Memory Extended Tour. He also performed at CMA Fest 2024 on the Hard Rock Stage in Nashville and appeared at Fan Fair X as part of an Idol alumni panel event.
He headlined the 2025 Mississippi Makers Fest in Jackson, Mississippi in May 2025. That same year, he toured with Will Moseley and performed new music from his growing catalog at venues across the country.
Colin Stough Fiancée
Colin Stough proposed to Mckenzie Rhett on June 14, 2024, in an outdoor setting in Mississippi. Rhett is a former Miss Jr. Teen Mississippi, having won the title in 2019.
Colin announced the engagement on Instagram, writing that only God knew a pretty little angel would end up with a tatted-up cowpoke.
He described her as his best friend and life partner. Rhett confirmed the news on her own Instagram as well.
Their relationship had been publicly visible during Colin’s American Idol run.
He had been singing at local venues and building his music career while they were together, and the engagement came roughly one year after his Idol season ended.
As of mid-2026, Colin and Mckenzie were searching for wedding planners in North Mississippi, but no wedding date has been publicly confirmed.
Colin Stough Net Worth
Colin Stough hs an estimted net worth is around $200k as of 2026.
His income comes from multiple sources including music streaming royalties, live performance fees, his recording contract with 19 Recordings/BMG Nashville, and touring revenue.
His streaming activity is substantial. With over 19.8 million global on-demand streams across his releases, his royalty income from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music forms a steady part of his earnings.
Both EPs are available on all major streaming and digital retail platforms. Live performances have also been a consistent income source.
Since 2023, he has headlined shows across the country, played music festivals including CMA Fest 2024, and toured as a support act for established artists.
Each of those shows adds directly to his income as a working touring musician.
His growing presence on social media, with verified accounts on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, also creates potential for brand partnership income as his audience expands.
Colin Stough Social Media
Colin is active on Instagram under the handle @colinstoughmusic, where he shares music updates, tour dates, and personal moments.
He also maintains a TikTok presence where he posts short clips of performances and behind-the-scenes content.
His self-titled YouTube channel, created on July 5, 2020, hosts music videos and performance content.
Colin also has accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, where he keeps fans updated on releases and tour activity.
Conclusion
Colin Stough went from working as an HVAC technician in rural Mississippi to performing at CMA Fest in Nashville and racking up nearly 20 million streams, all before turning 22.
His two EPs and growing catalog of co-written singles show a young artist who is taking the long view on building a real career in country music.