‘Idol’ Hopeful Honors The Late Joe Diffie With “Pickup Man” Cover

‘American Idol’ contestant Kam’ron Smith covers Joe Diffie. (Main: Kam’ron Smith / Facebook, Inlay: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

Aspiring Singers Chase Their Dreams On A Brand-New Season Of American Idol 

American Idol has returned! Season 23 of the beloved reality singing competition premiered tonight (March 9th) and introduced viewers to exciting rising talent. The show premiered in 2002 and has had a lasting impact on pop culture and reality television.

Idol has produced countless chart-topping artists, many of whom now have highly awarded music careers, and has also influenced other singing competitions globally.

One of the show’s greatest success stories, Carrie Underwood, has taken the judge’s chair for the first time. Alongside returning judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, Underwood says she hopes to be “honest and constructive, but still kind” in her new role.

Kam’ron Smith Celebrates 90s Country With A Joe Diffie Cover on American Idol 

Aspiring singer Kam’ron Smith hoped to impress the judges and earn a spot in Hollywood by covering the late Joe Diffie’s “Pickup Man.”

Diffie released “Pickup Man” in 1994. It would ultimately become his longest-lasting number-one hit, spending four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

For decades, various artists have covered “Pickup Man.” Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, and HARDY performed a rendition of the song at the 2023 CMA Awards and later recorded it for the album Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape.

Who Is Kam’ron Smith?

21-year-old Kam’ron Smith was born and raised in Rocky Mount, Virginia. The young man told local news station ABC13 that, prior to American Idol, his singing experience was limited to “singing around in the truck. Sitting in the tractor and stuff like that with my buddies. Just singing to them, basically, in my free time.”

Smith’s friends recognized his talent and reportedly sent a TikTok of his singing to the show for consideration.

Watch on TikTok

 

Ultimately, the gesture of faith paid off, and Smith was able to go to New York to audition live in front of the judges. He recalled:

“I was just blessed to be out there. Soaking it all in because being on camera was not anything I really thought about doing. I just kind of got thrown in there with the wolves, but I made the best of it.” 

Kam’ron Smith Advances To The Next Round Of Idol 

The Idol judges were impressed by Smith’s joy and energy during his audition. Carrie Underwood sang along to the 90s country classic as Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan exchanged excited glances.

Ultimately, Kam’ron Smith received a golden ticket to Hollywood Week and will advance to the next round of competition! Watch Kam’ron Smith sing Joe Diffie’s “Pickup Man” on American Idol below.