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'Typical country boy': 'American Idol' fans left unimpressed by Colin Stough's rendition of 'Simple Man'

Colin Stough's version of 'Simple Man' may have failed to win over fans but he got three yeses and is on his way to the Hollywood Round.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The 'American Idol' auditions have begun, and Luke Bryan, as usual, has a soft place for hopefuls interested in country music. Colin Stough, an 18-year-old country musician from Amory, Mississippi, however, did not please fans who compared his guitar talents to #RingingABell.

The hunt for America's next singing sensation has begun! 'American Idol' returns to ABC for Season 21 and its sixth season. Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry travel to New Orleans, Nashville, and Las Vegas with host Ryan Seacrest in search of new talent to be the next 'American Idol' champion. Colin Stough was certain to sweep Luke off his feet.

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Colin reveals in his video package that he lives in a house with his mother, stepfather, and two dogs. Colin has grown up without his father, who is a drug addict and alcoholic. His family's humble home is barely 30 feet away from his grandparents' home. Colin claims that the property has been in the family for a long time. The young man has been through a lot, and his love of horses has provided him with peace. "It’s a way to cope," he says. The singer expects 'American Idol' to transform his life. "Ain’t really nothin’ come from around here," he says. "I wanna change that."

Colin discloses to the judges, Lionel, Katy, and Luke, that he was signed up for 'American Idol' by his mother. The HVAC technician auditions by singing 'Simple Man' by Lynyrd Skynyrd while accompanying himself on guitar. He sings in a gravelly, deep tone. He's stiff and apprehensive, yet he has raw potential. Furthermore, he feels relieved after concluding his song. "It’s nerve-wracking right here!" Colin acknowledges.

"It’s what American Idol is about!" Luke exhales. "You’ve got the magic in you," Katy says. "You got stardust." Luke proposes Colin invite his mother into the room. She's thrilled to see Luke, who greets her with a bear embrace. "This is a very important meeting between you and I!" he exclaims. "We are so thankful you signed this human being up." Colin has been playing guitar since his fifth birthday, according to his mother, "and now we have a house full of guitars!" Colin is described by Luke as "raw, real, humble," and is exactly the sort of contestant that 'American Idol' is seeking for. "This is going to change your life, young man," Lionel adds.

Colin Stough has three yeses and is on his way to the Hollywood Round.

'Can we please not have Noah Thompson 2.0?'

Not impressed with his performance, a fan wrote, "Kinda had a feeling Colin would kinda have that kinda monotone, kinda boring (talking) voice. Just sayin'." Another fan added, "Typical country boy. Yawn." Calling his performance no way spectacular, a fan wrote, "Colin Stough's "Simple Man" was sturdy, but in no way spectacular. Which places him on even footing with ABC's last two #AmericanIdol winners, whose names I honestly am struggling to recall at this moment. Noah? And Chris?" One humble fan requested ABC, "Dear #AmericanIdol … Can we please not have Noah Thompson 2.0? Sincerely, Fans who don’t want another country singer to win." 

Questioning judges' comments, a fan wrote, "Colin Stough is so #Gifted? So #Talented? He plays that #Guitar like #RingingABell?? #AmericanIdol." Not happy with the country story, one fan told, "I ain't doing this country shlt this year.... Ion care how sad the story is I ain't doing it."

'American Idol' Season 21 airs on Sundays at 8 pm ET on ABC.

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