Hundreds, if not thousands of people, packed the small town of Louisa, Ky., on Tuesday to welcome a hometown hero with a country twang who hopes his voice will carry him to victory on “American Idol.”

“I feel like I can breathe again. There are no words for it,” Noah Thompson told Eyewitness News in an exclusive, one-on-one interview before a parade in his honor and a concert. “I’ve been gone, like you said, for two months. There’s no place like home. This place is where my heart is, where my people are.”

Below is the full interview Eyewitness News’ Brandon Lawson had with Thompson, who has made it to the top three of “American Idol” and will be vying for the win in the show’s finale on Sunday.

As the 20-year-old tried to soak it all in, he just shook his head at the amazing journey that has brought him this far.

“I’m just excited for everybody almost, because this this is a big deal for everyone, not just me,” Thompson told Eyewitness News.

Meanwhile, an estimated 10,000 poured into the Louisa native’s hometown for the parade on downtown streets and for Thompson's concert at Lawrence County High School. Some drove for hours, as far north as Indianapolis, to see Thompson.

Below is video of the parade or click here if you are on a mobile device.

The singer rolled by in a convertible with his 1-year-old child Walker and was greeted by his girlfriend, Angel. Excited fans lined up to get a glimpse of and a chance to say hello to Thompson.

“He’s my idol,” one girl said. “He makes me want to go sing on American Idol.”

An older fan said he likes Thompson’s music and respects him for what he represents.

“I respect the fact he cares about his son and his girlfriend, and he’s a family man,” the man said. “When you hear him talk, he wants to advance for that, not so he can get his fame. He’s kind of like the grandson I never had.”