Webster resident who broke through on ‘The Voice’ auditions for ‘American Idol’

A Webster resident who turned heads, and chairs, two years ago on NBC’s “The Voice” is giving competition television another go.

Jack Rogan, 20, is among the featured hopefuls on Season 21 of “American Idol,” premiering at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, on ABC.

He revealed the news Jan. 13 on Instagram, saying he was excited for the opportunity to sing in front of the three “Idol” judges: country crooner Luke Bryan, pop star Katy Perry and music legend Lionel Richie.

No word on whether Rogan will appear on Sunday night’s broadcast; the auditions will fill the first three episodes.

Alyssa Rogan said that initially, her brother was invited to audition via Zoom by “Idol” executives, based on one of his TikTok videos. He sang “Whiskey and You” by Chris Stapleton and “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile, which led to his in-person audition Nov. 14 in Nashville.

“My dad was the only one with him there in Nashville,” Alyssa Rogan, 26, wrote in an email from Atlanta, where she lives. “No one else in the family has seen his audition yet!”

The fifth of six children, Jack Rogan graduated from Monroe Community College in December 2021 with an associate degree in business administration after being home-schooled. He now works for a local technology company.

He’s played gigs in the Rochester area, including at the B-Side in Fairport, and in late 2022 he performed at a concert in Montana to benefit homeless people.Rogan broke through during Season 21 premiere of “The Voice” on Sept. 20, 2021.

Within 15 seconds of launching into a moody rendition of The Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” judges Kelly Clarkson (the original “American Idol”) and John Legend spun around in their seats.

Clarkson said Rogan’s voice evoked Johnny Cash, Ray LaMontagne and Chris Stapleton, while R&B star and producer Legend said he was struck by “the gravity and beauty” of the young singer’s tone.

Rogan chose Legend as his vocal coach and after being eliminated during a subsequent battle round, thanked him on Instagram for his guidance.

“This experience will forever be something I look back on and smile thanks to the friendships I made during my time @nbcthevoice that are lifelong and so authentic,” he wrote. “This won’t be the last you see of me!!”

He isn’t the first “Voice” contestant to cross over to “Idol” or vice versa. More than a dozen singers have been featured on both shows.

Said Alyssa Rogan, “We are so proud of him and excited to see him represent Rochester, New York, once again.”

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: American Idol contestant Jack Rogan previously appeared on The Voice