AMERICAN IDOL: Hannah Harper Honors Grandpa With Emotional Performance Of “Go Rest High”
on Mar 09, 2026
Early favorite, Hannah Harper, paid tribute to her late grandpa, Pawpaw Lew, with her Top 30 performance on American Idol Monday night.
The American Idol Season 24 Top 30 gathered at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii for the first-ever Ohana Round. During this round, contestants performed for three focus groups: the judges, “industry tastemakers,” and their own families.
Each of the three groups will have the honor of presenting one Platinum Ticket, which will allow an artist to advance directly to America’s votes.
This round is the last time the judges have any say over the hopefuls’ fate. The Top 20 will be revealed at the end of the Ohana Round, and the future of each contestant will be in the hands of America.
Hannah Harper returned to the stage with a powerful performance.
Missouri native Hannah Harper won America’s hearts with her now-viral audition performance of her original song, “String Cheese.” The stay-at-home mom of three boys grew up in a musical family, playing at bluegrass festivals and churches around the country.
Her stage experience has come in handy for her American Idol journey, as the pressure of the competition doesn’t seem to faze her.
On Monday night, Hannah chose to sing Vince Gill’s tear-jerking tribute song “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” She chose the song as a way to honor her late grandpa.
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“He was a patriarch. So many branches of talented people who came from him. He played music until the day he died,” Hannah recalled. “The legacy that he left was such a strong impression on my life. I want to do the same for my kids.”
While Hannah’s grandpa wasn’t there in body to witness her sing his favorite song, her grandma Barbara was in the audience and wept as Hannah sang.
The Idol judges praised Hannah’s performance.
“There are so many parallels between your voice and Dolly’s. It’s just so beautifully country,” Luke Bryan told Hannah. “You’ve got the goods and your voice is so beautiful to me.”
As Hannah exited the stage, Lionel Richie told his fellow judges, “She’s got that straight, authentic mountain voice, boy.
Watch Hannah Harper’s emotional performance of “Go Rest High On That Mountain” in the video below.
