Jersey Rocker Thistle Brings Springsteen Flair to 'American Idol'

The 21-year-old Asbury Park musician will make his debut on the singing competition show.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Jake Thistle, a 21-year-old musician from Paramus, New Jersey, will make his "American Idol" debut on the Monday, February 16th episode. Thistle is a regular performer on the Asbury Park music scene and has even shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, making him a favorite among local Springsteen fans. He will perform the Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home" on the show.

Why it matters

Thistle's appearance on "American Idol" is exciting for the Asbury Park music community, as he has been a fixture on the local scene for several years. His connection to Bruce Springsteen, a beloved figure in the area, has also garnered him a loyal following among Springsteen fans who will be tuning in to support him.

The details

Thistle, who is 21 years old, has been performing regularly in Asbury Park for several years and has even shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen at various events. He will be performing the Blind Faith song "Can't Find My Way Home" on his "American Idol" debut. Thistle has also released a new single called "Sleep on Me" that will be out on February 20th, and he has a show scheduled for February 21st at the Ringside Pub in Caldwell.

  • Thistle will make his "American Idol" debut on the Monday, February 16th episode.
  • Thistle's new single "Sleep on Me" will be released on Friday, February 20th.
  • Thistle has a show scheduled for Saturday, February 21st at the Ringside Pub in Caldwell.

The players

Jake Thistle

A 21-year-old musician from Paramus, New Jersey who has been a fixture on the Asbury Park music scene for several years and has even shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen.

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary musician from New Jersey who is beloved in the Asbury Park community.

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What’s next

Thistle will perform on the Monday, February 16th episode of "American Idol".

The takeaway

Thistle's appearance on "American Idol" is an exciting moment for the Asbury Park music community, as he has been a dedicated performer in the area for years and has even shared the stage with local legend Bruce Springsteen. His connection to the Boss has earned him a loyal following among Springsteen fans who will be tuning in to support him on the national stage.