Gadsden, AL – A former Gadsden State Community College student is stepping onto the national stage as he competes on ABC’s “American Idol.” Isaiah Moore, a 22-year-old from Springville, will appear on the show at 7 p.m. CST on Sunday, bringing his passion for music to audiences across the country.
A Journey Rooted in Music Moore’s love for music began early in life, singing along to the radio during car rides with his grandmother. His musical talents blossomed in middle school, where he excelled at playing the trumpet before later mastering the guitar and piano. His musical pursuits eventually led him to form Southbound Music, a duo with his high school friend, Caden Mobley. The pair now perform across Alabama in cities like Trussville, Gadsden, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery.
His connection to Gadsden State began when he first saw the college’s Show Band perform at his high school. Instantly captivated, Moore met with Dr. Matt Leder, the band’s former director, and earned a trumpet scholarship. He enrolled at Gadsden State in the fall of 2020 but initially struggled with online coursework during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At first, college was tough,” Moore admitted. “Studying online wasn’t the right environment for me at the time.”
Returning in 2022, Moore immersed himself in the music program, performing with the Gadsden State A Cappella Choir, the Gadsden State Singers, and the Show Band as a vocalist. He credited mentors such as J.T. Harrell, Susan DiBiase, and Chris McCurley for their impact on his musical development.
The Road to ‘American Idol’ Moore’s path to “American Idol” began with a virtual audition on August 23—his 22nd birthday. After years of hesitating, it was his wife, Abby, who gave him the final push to audition.
“My wife sent me the link and pushed me to do it,” he said. “I woke up that morning and decided that it was finally time.”
His audition included performances of “Wanna Be Loved” by the Red Clay Strays and “Where the Wild Things Are” by Luke Combs. After impressing producers in multiple virtual rounds, he was invited to audition live in front of celebrity judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood in Nashville.
Though excited, the opportunity meant a sacrifice—canceling his honeymoon cruise with Abby to make it to the auditions. When his moment finally arrived late in the evening, he dedicated his performance of “Where the Wild Things Are” to his brother, who was unable to attend.
“I’m a sucker for a Luke Combs song,” Moore said. “It’s a great song with a story that will make you cry. If a song can do that, it’s perfect.”
Performing for the celebrity judges was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.
“I blacked out the first half of the audition, but towards the end, I gained confidence,” he recalled. “The judges were so down to earth. They really cared about what I was saying to them.”
Looking Forward As Moore awaits the airing of his audition, he reflects on his journey and the support he has received.
“Gadsden State has made a great impact on me, primarily due to the encouragement from faculty and staff,” he said. “Mr. Harrell is a great mentor; I give him the highest praise.”
Though he has taken a break from coursework to focus on “American Idol” and his role as a worship leader at Redeemer Community Church, Moore plans to return to Gadsden State to complete his associate degree in general studies. His ultimate goal is to become a music educator and inspire young musicians, just as his mentors inspired him.
Moore is eager to watch his audition on Sunday.
“There are parts of the audition experience that I don’t remember, so I’m excited to see how it all played out,” he said. “I’m looking forward to people hearing my story.”
