American Idol finalist Colin Stough performing at 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Some American Idol star power is joining us for the 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Season 21 finalist and country artist Colin Stough will be performing his just-released cover of Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas."

"It's the song that I grew up listening to," Stough says. "I was like, 'Man, do you think we can put a twist on it? And I said, 'I can try!'"

Last year, Colin was a senior in high school in Mississippi, working for an HVAC company. He auditioned for Idol on a whim, and he came in third place.

Now, he's making new music and playing arena tours.

He says this holiday season, he's counting all of these blessings.

"I'm grateful that I get to do something I love every day and that I have people out there who love it as much as I do," he says.

He reflects on how much Idol has changed his life.

"Before the show, I was just working a dead end job. I wasn't going to college," he says. "I went on the show because my mom wanted me to. I never even dreamed I'd make it as far as I did."

Catch Colin Stough and a star-studded lineup of performers on the 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade. The fun begins at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning on 6abc.

For more information on the 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade, visit 6abc.com.