With American Idol returning in a few weeks, fans prepared for not just a new season but a new judge. After Katy Perry left the show, the producers turned to former American Idol winner Carrie Underwood to fill the spot. Sitting alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, the judges hoped to find the perfect singer. And while Bryan has been part of the show for years, he recently discussed what it was like to judge on American Idol and the one past that still made him anxious.

For most singers, getting anxious before a performance is perfectly normal, but for Bryan, his nerves don’t come before a concert. Appearing on Good Mythical Morning, the country singer admitted the stress that comes when having to let an aspiring artist go. Not always knowing if they made the right decision, Bryan said, “I’ve kind of gotten good over the years to really try to handle the kids, where you don’t really feel like you beat them up too bad.”

Knowing that every singer who walked in front of them had a dream to perform on stage, Bryan never wanted to ruin that dream. “You don’t ever want to tell somebody something that throws a roadblock in their potential dreams. Because you still don’t know how driven they can be, and they may go turn their career into something special.”

Luke Bryan Enjoying His Time With Carrie Underwood

As for the new season of American Idol, Underwood used her return as a chance to look back on her career and how it all started during season 4 of the hit show. When watching audition footage of herself, Underwood said, “I can’t believe it. Twenty years ago today, I was standing on a stage just like this one.”

Excited about the upcoming season and working with Underwood, Bryan praised the singer, telling Extra, “It’s going great. Carrie and I had always been in the business together, but we never spent much time together, so to sit behind the desk and watch her really learn how to transition out of being the winner of American Idol and a superstar to being the judge at the table… she’s doing good.”

Don’t miss the new season of American Idol, airing on March 9th at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.