When 17-year-old Slater Nalley walked onto the American Idol stage with nothing but his guitar, no one expected the performance that would follow. But from the moment he began singing his original song, “Traces of You,” the entire room fell silent—completely captivated by his raw emotion.

This wasn’t just any song. Nalley wrote it as a tribute to his high school teacher’s late son, Carter Davis, who tragically passed away eight years ago. The young musician was accompanied by his teacher, Mrs. Davis, who introduced him and shared the heartbreaking story behind the song.

A Song That Left the Judges Speechless

Nalley explained that while he had never met Carter, his teacher’s story deeply moved him. After reading a poem she had written about her son, he felt compelled to turn it into something even more powerful—a song that would keep Carter’s memory alive.

“This is the most deep thing I have ever written,” Nalley admitted before strumming the first chords of his performance.

As his voice cracked with sincerity, the judges sat in stunned silence, completely drawn in by the raw emotion in every lyric. By the final note, Carrie Underwood was in tears.

👉 “I couldn’t imagine you doing that any better,” she whispered, wiping her eyes.

Lionel Richie was equally moved, calling Nalley’s delivery soulful, heartfelt, and reminiscent of the blues.

👉 “You just stick to walking on stage and singing with your heart, and the rest will take care of itself,” added Luke Bryan.

A Star in the Making

Slater Nalley may have walked in as a hopeful contestant, but he left as an artist destined for something greater. His ability to channel deep emotion into music is something rare—and it’s exactly what makes stars.

🔥 Don’t miss his unforgettable audition when American Idol premieres on ABC on March 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET. 🔥