# Caleb Lee Hutchinson

Caleb Lee Hutchinson (born March 2, 1999) is an American singer-songwriter, and runner-up on the sixteenth season of American Idol.

## Early life

Caleb Lee Hutchinson was born in Dallas, Georgia, to William and Piper Hutchinson. He has a brother Tyler. He started playing guitar when he was 12, attended South Paulding High School, and graduated in 2017. In 2015, at age 16, Hutchinson appeared on the ninth season of The Voice auditioning with "The Dance", but none of the presiding judges Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton turned their chair, and Hutchinson was eliminated from the show.

## American Idol

In 2018, he auditioned to season 16 of American Idol with the song "If It Hadn't Been for Love" from The SteelDrivers. All three judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan voted "yes" for him to continue. During the season, he sang "Die a Happy Man" (Top 24), "Midnight Train to Memphis" (Top 14), "You've Got a Friend in Me" (Top 10), "When Doves Cry and "Amazed" (Top 7), "So Small" and "Stars in Alabama" (Top 5) qualifying for the shows' finale. On May 20, 2018, he performed "Don't Close Your Eyes", "Folsom Prison Blues" and his single was "Johnny Cash Heart" finishing runner-up to winner Maddie Poppe.
From the time he first appeared on the show until the end of the season he lost about 70 pounds. During the final, Caleb declared that he and winner Maddie Poppe were dating.
| Episode | Theme | Song Choice | Original Artist | Order # | Result |
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | If It Hadn't Been for Love | The SteelDrivers | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 Solo/Duet | Contestant's Choice | Die a Happy Man Meant to Be (with Bebe Rexha) | Thomas Rhett Bebe Rexha | 1 | Advanced |
| Top 14 | Contestant's Choice Victory Song | Midnight Train to Memphis Gettin' You Home | Chris Stapleton Chris Young | 1 9 | Safe |
| Top 10 | Disney | You've Got a Friend in Me | Randy Newman and Lyle Lovett | 8 | Safe |
| Top 7 | Prince Year You Were Born | When Doves Cry Amazed | Prince Lonestar | 14 6 | Safe |
| Top 5 | Carrie Underwood Mother's Day | So Small Stars in Alabama | Carrie Underwood Jamey Johnson | 4 9 | Safe |
| Finale | Winner's Single Reprise Song Hometown Decision | Johnny Cash Heart Don't Close Your Eyes Folsom Prison Blues | Caleb Lee Hutchinson Keith Whitley Johnny Cash | 1 4 7 | Runner-up |

## Music career

Hutchinson's song on American Idol, "Johnny Cash Heart", was released after his performance on the show. The song charted at number 16 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart on its first week of release.
On 28 June 2019, Hutchinson released a self-titled EP, produced by Kristian Bush of Sugarland. Two songs from the EP, "Left of Me" and a cover of Post Malone's song "Better Now" were first released in January 2019.

## Discography
### Albums

| Year | Title |
| 2023 | Southern Galactic |

### Extended plays

| Title | EP details |
| Caleb Lee Hutchinson | Release date: June 28, 2019 Label: Caleb Lee Hutchinson Formats: Digital download |

### Singles

| Year | Title | Album |
| 2018 | "Johnny Cash Heart" | Non-album single |
| 2019 | "Better Now" | Non-album single |
| 2019 | "Left of Me" | Non-album single |
| 2021 | "Who I Am" | Non-album single |
| 2021 | "Slot Machine Syndrome" | Non-album single |
| 2023 | "Silverado" | Southern Galactic |
| 2023 | "I Miss You" | Southern Galactic |
| 2024 | "White Dress" ft. Remo Drive | Mercy (Deluxe) |