There’s no doubt that Sam Hunt’s cell phone was blowing up Wednesday night with calls, text messages, Facebook notifications and Twitter feeds from his fans.

Hunt, a Polk County native who was once known as a star quarterback on the Cedartown High School football field, has been staying busy these days making it big in the Nashville music scene.

Wednesday night was proof of that when country music superstar Keith Urban and judge for “American Idol,” gave Hunt a shout-out in front of millions of American viewers.

Urban, in speaking to a contestant about the music business, said, “It’s a tough town. There’s guys like Sam Hunt, who’s this new artist who is a crazy-talented, writer and singer.”

Almost instantly, it was a top subject of discussion on Facebook and Twitter. Hunt’s Polk County fans were posting YouTube clips of the show and cheering him on. Hunt said the feedback has been overwhelming.

“It’s great to hear that people back home heard that and support me and what I’m doing,” he said. “It’s just a blessing that I am doing what I love to do.”

Hunt has had songs recorded by Nashville artists Kenny Chesney, Neal McCoy and Blake Wise — most notably Chesney’s No. 1 hit single “Come Over.”

Hunt said he’s currently working on a record of his own. In fact, he was in the studio when he learned about Urban’s complimentary words.

“I was doing some overdubs and got a couple texts about it,” Hunt explained. “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Keith on the phone before, and he seems like a great, just a genuine person so I was glad to hear that he’s a fan of what I am doing. Giving props in front of that many people watching was a really nice thing to do. I’m really appreciative.”

In the fall of 2008, after graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Hunt moved to Nashville and quickly signed a publishing deal.

Since the success of “Come Over,” Hunt has been writing and holding songs for his own project while working alongside other Nashville artists.

Right now, Hunt said he’s been laying the groundwork for his new album and, so far, the experience has been great.

“I’m working on putting together a website and social media sites, videos — all that is in the works. I’m hoping to finish the album in the next few months,” he said.