The Cedar Party lad exuded confidence as he put his own stamp on the Gnarls Barkley hit Crazy in his live semi-final showing.

The judges applauded the 18-year-old’s savvy song choice and showmanship, and his dance moves were a hit with the both the adjudicators and the audience.

“Elvis was in the room,” judge Marcia Hines said.

“I think that was a really good, strong song choice,” Jay Dee Springbett said. “Young girls are going to love you.”

Ian “Dicko” Dickson did express some minor quibbles over James’ dress (“I think you look like the office junior on a night out”) and he feared he was in danger of pigeon-holing himself as a pin-up boy for preteen girls, but he was full of praise for the vulnerability he showed in his vocal performance.

“There’s a real innocence about you and a vigour and just a natural hunger for music that’s really attractive – and I think you’re travelling really, really well,” Dicko said.

Throughout the show, James has been branded as the talented boy from the bush.

Our town of Wingham rated a number of mentions during the broadcast; host Andrew G even referred to Beef Week as “his favourite week of the year”!

We now wait to see whether the Wingham High graduate has received enough votes from the public to crack the top 12.

The result of the semi-final will be announced at the start of the program this Sunday.

If he misses out at this stage he may be given a second chance by the judges in the Wildcard round – where the best of the remaining semi-finalists are chosen to sing again.

So, don’t miss Australian Idol this Sunday from 6.30pm on Southern Cross Ten.