Jamal Roberts Transforms “Tennessee Whiskey” with Soulful, One-of-a-Kind Idol Performance

Originally made famous by George Jones and then redefined by Chris Stapleton in 2015, “Tennessee Whiskey” is a vocal mountain that few dare to climb. But from the very first note, it was clear Jamal wasn’t here to imitate — he was here to reinterpret.

Backed by a stripped-down band and moody amber lighting, Roberts brought R&B phrasing, bluesy grit, and unmistakable soul to the country ballad. His smooth falsetto and gritty low tones danced effortlessly over every note, hitting the iconic chorus with a slow, deliberate burn:

“You’re as smooth… as Tennessee whiskey…”

The crowd swayed. The judges leaned in. And by the final note, Jamal had delivered a performance that felt both timeless and fresh.

Lionel Richie, clearly feeling the groove, was the first to stand:

“Jamal, I’ve heard that song a hundred times. But I’ve never felt it quite like that. You poured your heart into it. That was velvet, man. Velvet.”

Katy Perry added with a smile:

“You turned country into soul, and it worked. You owned that stage like a seasoned artist.”

Luke Bryan, himself a country star, gave perhaps the most meaningful praise of the night:

“Chris Stapleton’s version is sacred in country music. And you didn’t copy him — you channeled something real. You honored the song while sounding completely like yourself. That’s not easy, Jamal.”

Almost instantly, clips of the performance started making waves on social media:

• “Jamal just baptized that stage in soul. I’m done.”

• “This man needs to record an album ASAP. That voice belongs on vinyl.”

• “Smooth. Effortless. CHILLS.”

Even Chris Stapleton fans weighed in, many praising Jamal for honoring the song’s roots while taking it in a new direction.

Jamal Roberts is no longer just “that guy with the smooth tone” — after Tennessee Whiskey, he’s a front-runner, a storyteller, and a voice with depth far beyond his years.

Whether he’s headed for the finals or the recording studio, one thing’s certain: he just gave Tennessee Whiskey a new flavor — and we’re still buzzed.