Idol Chatter & Voice Views

As a reward to making the Top 3 on American Idol, Caleb Johnson was treated to a trip home to Asheville, N.C., on Saturday.

While there, he had lunch with his family at a place called 12 Bones, returned to a pre-Idol hangout called The Orange Peel to perform a couple of songs, enjoyed a parade in his honor and performed a free mini-concert Saturday night at The Emerald Lounge.

At The Orange Peel, Asheville’s mayor announced that Caleb will be performing Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” as one of his three songs Wednesday night.

As for the parade in his honor, Caleb called it “epic” in an interview with the Citizen-Times.

“I mean, I was on cloud nine … I was seeing people that I haven’t seen in five, six months … some people that had went away and just came back just to see me. And I’m like, ‘Wow, that is so humbling.’ I literally almost got emotional. And then I was like, ‘Man, I can’t do that.'”

For the Citizen-Times coverage of Caleb’s return, head here.

Meanwhile, here are photos of Caleb’s homecoming, provided by FOX.

Caleb Johnson enjoys a limo ride on his trip home to North Carolina on Saturday. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson poses by a sign welcoming him home to North Carolina. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson gets animated during a radio interview on his trip home to North Carolina. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson shows off his cooking skills during a stop at 12 Bones on his visit home to North Carolina. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson performs at the Orange Peel during his hometown trip to North Carolina on Saturday. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson meets supporters on his trip home to North Carolina on Saturday. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson poses for a photo during his trip home to North Carolina on Saturday. (FOX Photo)

Caleb Johnson waves to fans during his homecoming parade in North Carolina Saturday. (FOX Photo)