As winner of this season of American Idol, Laine Hardy is one of a select few to make it through multiple rounds of performing and votes to emerge as a winner and receive a chance to record an album. But Layne also has something in common with 115 million Americans: He’s a credit union member.

Specifically, he’s a member of Neighbors FCU, Baton Rouge, La., and the credit union threw a watch party, “Party with Hardy” during Sunday’s finale.

“We’re truly appreciative of Neighbors for stepping up and not only making this event possible, but for showing so much support for one of Livingston Parish’s own,” Livingston Mayor David McCreary said. “It’s inspiring to see a local business stepping up like this for one of their members.”

It was at the “Party for Hardy”  where hundreds of Hardy’s supporters watched him sing Marc Broussard’s “Home,” Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” and Sam Cooke’s “Bring it on Home to Me,” a performance that was enough to put him in the books as the winner of the 17^th season of American Idol.