American Idol finalist Slater Nalley took Nashville by surprise during a recent live show, delivering a stunning duet with Lukas Nelson, the son of country music legend Willie Nelson.


The performance at the Chiefs Choir concert left the crowd in awe and had fans saying they would pay anything just to hear more of Slater’s music live.

Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Slater wrote, “Thank you @lukasnelsonofficial for having me out at Chiefs! What an amazing show with so many talented artists. Be back very soon Nashville🤘🏻”

Watch the video below

The concert was part of a series of shows featuring Lukas Nelson, a GRAMMY Award-winning artist known for his powerful voice and collaborative spirit. With eight studio albums to his name, Lukas continues to rise as one of music’s most respected talents, regularly selling out venues and performing at major festivals like Stagecoach and Farm Aid.


Slater Nalley Signs Major Music Deal, Ready to Launch Career After American Idol Success
Just days after graduating high school—via FaceTime because he was performing live on the American Idol Season 23 finale—18-year-old Slater Nalley announced a big step in his music career. On May 23, 2025, it was revealed that Slater signed a management deal with Play It Again Music (PIA), a respected Nashville agency closely linked to country superstar Luke Bryan.

READ MORE: American Idol finalists are coming back for a big reunion show but Slater Nalley’s missing and fans are sharing theories

Slater Nalley Inks Management Deal With Play It Again Music. : r/americanidol

PIA was founded by Dallas Davidson, who co-wrote many of Bryan’s biggest hits and has been a longtime friend of the country star. Davidson called Slater “special” and praised his raw talent, strong work ethic, and kind nature. “At an extremely young age, Slater carries himself like a seasoned music veteran both on and off the stage,” Davidson said.

Slater’s journey to fame began with a heartfelt audition on American Idol, where he performed “Traces of You,” a song he wrote in honor of his English teacher’s late son. The audition went viral on TikTok, gaining nearly 6 million views and helping Slater quickly rise to the top 5.

Watch: ‘American Idol’ hopeful sings original song about slain teen

In a statement, Slater said, “The past few months of ‘American Idol’ have been nothing short of a blessing, and I feel more inspired than ever to create music that speaks to my fans.” He expressed excitement about working with PIA and promised fans to “stay tuned” for new music soon.

The deal connects Slater with one of Nashville’s most respected teams, blending his Georgia roots with the city’s vibrant music scene. With his fresh southern rock sound and growing fanbase, Slater Nalley is poised to make a big impact on country music and beyond.