IDOL: Crews Wright Conquers Hollywood With “Goodbye Time” By Conway Twitty
on Apr 01, 2025
Crews Wright Champions Traditional Country Music During Hollywood Week On American Idol
17-year-old Crews Wright wanted to bring a little traditional country music to Hollywood Week on American Idol—and did so with a cover of the Conway Twitty classic “Goodbye Time.”
The Idol audience was first introduced to Wright when he auditioned in front of judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan. He performed a rowdy, pure country cover of George Strait‘s “The Fireman.”
He charmed the judges and earned himself a Golden Ticket to Hollywood.
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The first episode of Hollywood Week aired on Monday (March 31). The judges made some major cuts from the lineup. 144 contestants advanced to Hollywood, but only 62 contestants advanced to the next stage following the first round of cuts.
Was Wright one of the contestants who made it through?
Before he sang, Wright spoke to the judges about why he believes he has what it takes to become the next American Idol.
“I feel I should be the next American Idol because I believe in keeping traditional country alive. Music isn’t about something that’s trending, and it’s about something that lasts. That’s right. And I try to leave a little piece of me on every stage I walk across. So I’m going to give you a little bit of that today.”
Crews Wright Sings Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time” During Hollywood Week On American Idol
The “traditional country” Wright shared with the Idol judges was a cover of Conway Twitty’s “Goodbye Time.”
Twitty released “Goodbye Time” in 1988 as the first single from his album Still in Your Dreams. The passionate song reached #7 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
“Goodbye Time” got a second life when Blake Shelton covered the track in 2004. His version reached #10 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Now, Wright can add his name to the list of artists who’ve pulled off an unforgettable cover of “Goodbye Time.” When he finished singing, Luke Bryan jokingly asked, “Do you swear you’re 17?”
Carrie Underwood teased, “I need to see a birth certificate.”
Bryan heaped praise on Wright after that, sharing how he believes he has “so much to offer” to the world with his talent and love for classic country.
“I mean, to pick a Conway Twitty song… I grew up on that and lived it,” Bryan said. “And the fact that you’re 17, and that’s where your brain is with music and that’s where you want to sing is pretty cool stuff.”
Bryan added, “…you’re going to grow so fast and have so much to offer. That was great. Just watching you kind of win the room is pretty cool stuff. So good job.“
But was Wright’s performance enough to help him advance to the next stage of the competition? The answer is…yes!
Tune in to the video below to watch Wright conquer Hollywood Week with his cover of “Goodbye Time.” It truly is hard to believe that he’s only 17!
