During the latest vote, Meridian native Jamal Roberts, 27, made American Idol’s Top 14, ensuring that raw, soulful voice is back for yet another chance to be named the country’s top vocalist.

 

The physical education teacher at Crestwood Elementary has taken Season 23 by storm with his energetic, foot-stomping style of performances so engaging they’d fit into most any Southern church.

 

Throughout the competition, Roberts has sung songs not for the faint of heart, including Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and Jelly Roll’s “Liar,” but this week he turned to a goody but oldie made most famous by legendary crooner Otis Redding.

 

Roberts’s impact – which has been called “possessed” and “explosive” by judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan – revealed itself in Roberts’s usual style of a calm, collected manner as he began “Try a Little Tenderness.”

 

However, it didn’t take long for Roberts to dig deep into the soulful anthem of longing and desire to the delight of his audience, both live in studio and in homes across the world.

 

Though Roberts had everyone one his or her feet by the end of the song, it’s not over yet, as there are 13 singers he still has to best, including Thunderstorm Artis, Amanda Barise, Ché, Filo, John Foster, Canaan James Hill, Kolbi Jordan, Josh King, Slater Nalley, Breanna Nix, Mattie Pruitt, Desmond Roberts and Gabby Samone.

 

The next event is the popular American Idol Rock & Roll Hall of Fame episode, which airs live on ABC Sunday, April 27, at 8 p.m., or the next day on Hulu.