Appomattox 'Idol' contestant talks southern roots, chasing dreams

When it came time to choose his “American Idol” audition song, Appomattox native W.T. Thompson wanted something that would pay tribute to his hometown.

The eventual winner? Little Big Town’s “Boondocks,” an ode to owning your roots (“I feel no shame, I’m proud of where I came from/I was born and raised in the boondocks”).

“I’m from Appomattox,” Thompson said with a laugh Tuesday. “It doesn’t get more boondocks (than that).

“It wasn’t the best vocal song I could have picked,” he added. “I got a lot of flack for not singing something else. I was really trying to represent Appomattox and the people around here, to (give them) something to be proud of.”

Thompson auditioned for judges Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson in Savannah over the summer. He continued his run for “Idol” glory during the Fox series’ Hollywood rounds, which have already been filmed and will air at 8 p.m. tonight, Thursday and Feb. 15.

He wasn’t allowed to reveal what happens to him in this round, but Thompson had plenty to say about the experience so far.

“It’s one thing to hear people from your small town tell you you can sing,” he said. “But it’s another thing to hear three judges tell you you can sing … and you’re going to Hollywood. It’s the best feeling in the world. It definitely sparks a fire within you to do even better.”

Lopez even commented on the twinkle Thompson had in his eye during the audition, something he attributes to his southern roots.

“That’s definitely a southern gentleman thing,” he said. “We tend to have that thing in our eye when we see a beautiful lady, and it don’t get much prettier than Jennifer Lopez.”

Thompson gave most of the credit for his current success to his wife Laura, who was six months pregnant when he tried out for the show (she gave birth to their son, Levi Jax, in December).

“She really believes in me,” said Thompson, who began singing in church as a child but really fell in love with it as a member of the Appomattox County High School choir.

“We were just like, ‘I gotta do this now, or I’m never going to have the chance.’ She told me once the kids come along, (I wasn’t) going to have the money or resources to do it.”

Following his heart meant leaving behind a job at the Farmville Detention Center.

“I told them, ‘Listen, this is my dream, and I’m chasing it. If I gotta run out of here to catch it, I will,’” he said. “I ended up running out on the job because, to me, a dream is something bigger than money.”

Thompson’s audition aired Jan. 18 alongside footage of him at home with Laura, walking down a country road and playing with their dogs.

“To have three minutes on national television, or however long it was … it just means so much because a lot of people don’t get that chance,” he said. “Out of all the people that auditioned, they chose me. It feels great.”

Since the episode aired, Thompson said he’s gotten lots of positive feedback — and even surprised a few people back home.

“You have no idea how many people have come up to me and said, ‘We didn’t even know you could sing.’”