Country star and former “American Idol” runner-up Lauren Alaina has begun playing the guitar again for a bittersweet reason. In an Instagram video on February 19, 2025, Alaina choked back tears as she revealed her decision to pick up her six-string again was prompted by the loss of her dad.
Jerry Eugene (J.J.) Suddeth died suddenly at age 52 in July 2024, according to his obituary. In the post Alaina shared on February 19, she sat strumming an acoustic guitar she had received during her “American Idol” journey in 2011, when she placed second behind Scotty McCreery.
“Why I decided to play this guitar on stage again,” Alaina captioned the video, taken as she continues her U.S. tour with Rascal Flatts. “I know Daddy is playing right along with me with the best seat in the house 🤍”
Lauren Alaina Says Her Dad Always Wanted to Play Guitar With Her
Alaina, who is expecting her first child with husband Cam Arnold, strummed her guitar before sharing what’s inspired her to begin playing again, including onstage.
“I started playing guitar because my dad always wanted me to play guitar,” she said, dressed in a black jogging suit and tan winter cap. “My daddy grew up playing the banjo and he played guitar. And he always tried to get me to sit down long enough to play with him, and I would play with him sometimes, but I never really stuck to it.”
“And when my brother and I went to clean out his house, we each took one of his guitars,” Alaina continued. “And I said, ‘I’m gonna start practicing and playing.'”
Pausing as she choked back tears, Alaina eventually said, “So, here I am.”
The video then transitioned to footage of Alaina playing and singing a couple of lines from her newest single, “Those Kind of Women.”
“Fun fact,” Alaina then interjected. “This guitar was given to me when I was on ‘American Idol.’ So I thought it would be the perfect one to play for the first time, where it all began. So, hope y’all are enjoying it. Makes me nervous, but I’m doing it.”
Lauren Alaina Also Shared a Video of Her Dad Playing Her ‘American Idol’ Guitar
Fans filled the comment section of Alaina’s post with words of encouragement and sympathy, including many who told the “Thicc as Thieves” singer that they are sure her dad would be proud of her.
One person wrote, “That’s beautiful hun, you know he is sitting next to you playing and singing with you ❤️❤️❤️”
Another fan shared, “just want you to know the blessings like this that are coming out of this unimaginable heartbreak & tragedy are the most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen for you la.🥺🤍 as a fan & as a human im very very proud of you.”
Alaina shared the sad news of her dad’s death via a brief Instagram post on July 24. She wrote at the time, “We lost my daddy last night, and I really don’t have words yet.”
On August 8, she posted a throwback video of her and her dad performing together at church, with him playing what looked to be the same guitar she is now playing on the road.
“I know you’re singing with angels and rejoicing His name,” she wrote in that post. “I’ll miss you forever daddy. Your little turd loves you so much 💔”
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Lauren Alaina Gets Choked Up Paying Tribute to Her Late Father With Her ‘American Idol’ Guitar