Idol Chatter & Voice Views

We haven’t heard a lot of impressive male country singers on American Idol in Season 13.

Dexter Roberts helped changed that at the Salt Lake City auditions.

Dexter Roberts was one of the contestants to earn a ticket to Hollywood at the American Idol auditions in Salt Lake City. (FOX Photo)

After all, the 22-year-old hails from Fayette, Ala. He works as a farmhand, spending most of his day on a tractor. He has a side job training dogs to hunt ducks.

And he showed up in a plaid shirt and baseball cap.

Then he uncorked an impressive version of “Drive,” a song recorded by former Idol finalist Casey James, who finished third back in Season 9.

Keith Urban said he liked the blues influence in Dexter’s voice. Jennifer Lopez called him “really impressive.” And Harry Connick Jr. called him “very authentic.”

Dexter is a graduate of Fayette County High School in Alabama and attends Alabama Fire College, according to his Facebook page.

He’s also the generous sort, according to the Tuscaloosa News coverage when the Idol bus tour stopped in town.

Dexter let two other contestants borrow his Gibson guitar for their auditions. Turns out all three made it to the next round.

“I guess it’s got some luck to it, I reckon,” Dexter told the newspaper.

He also appreciated the fact that Idol allowed singers to use guitars during their auditions.

“I feel naked without it because I play all the time,” he said.

While he auditioned with a country song, Dexter said in his Road to Hollywood video that his versatility might help him on Idol.

“I can sing just about anything,” he says. “I can do the country. I can do the blues. I can do the gospel.”

Oh, and he plays drums and a little piano to boot.

Here’s a link to Dexter’s Facebook page, his Facebook music page and his Twitter account (@dexter_rbrts).

He also has a YouTube channel, but there’s only one song on it, and I’ve embedded it below.

For profiles of more than 90 other Season 13 contestants, head here.

“County in My Soul”

“Let Me Be Your Romeo”

“See You Tonight” (Scotty McCreery cover)