Stacey Harrell from Wingham High taught James in 2008 for his final year of school and she has her fingers crossed that the Australian public will vote him through this Sunday so he will get the chance to sing on big band night.

The theme – which encompasses the jazz and swing music of the 1930s and ’40s – could present somewhat of a banana skin for some of the competitors but it is a style in which James is well-versed.

Ms Harrell said big band was James’ “forte” during HSC music when he performed the crooning number Everything by Michael Buble and the jazz favourite Straighten Up And Fly Right by Diana Krall.

“He likes that era and it suits his voice,” Ms Harrell said. “He could sing just about anything though.”

Ms Harrell said he was “always lovely” in class and “very dedicated” to preparing the best possible performances.

“He took every opportunity available to him,” she said. “He was the only student in the class who went to all the study days – he was very focused.”

His hard work paid off when the marks came in and he was placed on the honour roll for music last year. He was also selected for Encore, which meant he was among the top 50 music students in the State.

Ms Harrell revealed that impressing the chicks was a major motivation for James when he performed.

“He likes playing up to the ladies and the crowd,” she said.

James’ Idol bid is the talk of the town and there’s nowhere it is of higher interest than at Wingham High.

“I have year 11 for the first period on Monday and they always spend the start of each lesson critiquing his performance,” Ms Harrell said.

For the first time in the competition, James’ place in the competition seems at risk.

He received a scare last Sunday night when the Idol audience voted him into the bottom three.

He made it through and went on to show a more sensitive side, singing Who Knew by pop-rock superstar Pink.

Judges Marcia Hines and Jay Dee Springbett heaped praise on James for his emotional rendition, but Ian “Dicko” Dickson was less complimentary, saying the song lacked sincerity and edge.

James needs your votes now more than ever, so tune in to Southern Cross Ten on Sunday at 7.30pm to cheer him into the top seven.

Vote by texting “James” to 19 10 10.