Jayson Arendt and the Texas Tailgaters Bring Baseball, Dance, and Country to “American Idol”
Jayson Arendt, a 24-year-old Banana Ball League player and aspiring singer from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, made one of the most unforgettable entrances of the season during his American Idol audition, blending baseball, dancing, and country music in true Banana Ball style.
As the audition room speakers blasted “Cotton Eyed Joe,” a group of men in royal blue baseball jerseys—led by Arendt—danced their way inside. Known as the Texas Tailgaters, the team is part of the entertainment-driven Banana Ball Championship League, made famous by the Savannah Bananas. The surprise entrance left the judges—Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan—momentarily speechless.
“What’s happening? What’s going on?” they asked. Bryan couldn’t resist joining the fun, dancing with the group in the middle of the room.
Arendt introduced himself as the team’s singer and handed each judge a custom Texas Tailgaters jersey. He explained, “We’re part of the Banana Ball Championship League. Entertainment baseball keeps fans engaged while we perform, and I got involved as a singer. We also put on concerts outside the game.”
Underwood and Bryan playfully bantered with the team before Arendt got to the heart of his audition: singing. Wearing his team jersey, khakis, and a baseball cap with a duck emblem, he performed Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” with confidence and soul.
The judges applauded, praising Arendt’s distinct voice and charisma. Richie called it “a nice, distinguishable voice,” Underwood encouraged him to show more emotion, and Bryan offered advice about controlling his vocal power.
With three “yes” votes, Arendt earned his golden ticket to Hollywood Week in Music City. But he wasn’t done—he and the Texas Tailgaters launched into a choreographed line dance to Jason Aldean’s “Hicktown,” with Bryan joining in to show off his moves.
“I didn’t expect Luke Bryan to bust a move like that, but you see something new every day,” Arendt said. “I’m going to Hollywood Week!”
The Season 24 premiere of American Idol aired Monday, January 26 at 8/7c on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu, with new episodes continuing each Monday.