Millions seek the approval of American Idol judge Randy Jackson. Brad Paisley got it without even trying. Randy was flying into Nashville for a round of Idol auditions when he ran into Rolling Stone contributor David Wild.

That’s when Randy gave Brad a big thumbs-up, according to David’s Twitter account.

“Flew in with Randy Jackson who I knew pre-Idol,” David tweeted.

“Loves Nashville. Called @BradPaisley a ‘monster player.’”

Ever the professional journalist, David even took a picture of Randy on the plane to prove the two had contact.