Country Star Jesse Sludds: From Doubt to Dream

0:00It's April 20th. From breaking headlines to political updates, this is Europe news today, powered by AI. Nineteen-year-old Jesse Sludz from Wexford just snagged a top spot in RTA's The Late Late Show opening-add competition. He beat out four other finalists with a killer cover of Tracy Chapman's bass car, earning the nod from the country music judges and industry jury, plus second place in the public vote. Now he gets to open for Shania Twain at Tom and Park in Limerick this July, right in front of tens of thousands, and kick off the late Late Show. Country special, come October. Earlier this week on Friday night, the win hit him like a freight train. He was speechless on stage. He almost skipped entering altogether, feeling he wasn't country enough for the gig, but friends and family pushed him to just go for it. Turns out, chanting his arm paid off big time. Jesse's still wrapping his head around the buzz, especially since nearly everyone he knows tuned in. He's excited but nervous about those massive crowds, admitting he had no victory speech

1:03ready because the other contestants blew him away in, rehearsals. Coming from a musical family dad, gigging R&B in soul, nanny feeding him country vibes, he's been drumming since he could walk, picking up guitar, piano, and more along the way. Thanks for it to Monday, and he's laughing about not feeling country enough even now. It's all surreal, but he's gearing up for those huge spots and plotting his own path. With music in his blood, Jesse's eyeing singles, albums, and his own tour in the next five years, proof that stepping out your zone can launch you, straight to the stars.