From Staff Reports 

Despite dropping his microphone, Asheville rock singer Caleb Johnson recovered quickly and won raves for his April 23 performance of The Black Crowes’ “Sting Me” in television’s “American Idol” talent competition.

Afterward, Johnson was just two “American Idol” votes away from an Asheville homecoming parade. (The Daily Planet went to press early April 30, so the returns for the final April performance were not available for the May edition.)

However, Johnson was safe again in the voting results show that aired April 23 on Fox. Johnson was to sing among the top 5 in the April 30 live performance show.

In two weeks, the remaining top 4 will compete to be the three finalists accorded trips to their hometowns, where parades and a free concert are typically on the agenda, along with reunions with family, friends and teary school teachers.

If Johnson makes the cut, “American Idol” madness could descend on Asheville sometime on the weekend of May 9-11. Johnson is a graduate of Erwin High School, so a visit there would seem likely, according to media reports.

What’s more, Johnson will be singing near Asheville this summer as the American Idol Live tour visits the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville, S.C., on July 22. The tour includes the top 10 finalists. General admission tickets will go on sale May 10.

Johnson reportedly received — by far — the most positive comments from the judges and the longest ovation from the live audience on April 23. The sustained cheering came after he dropped the microphone, slid on his knees to grab it and recovered without missing a beat during his performance of “Sting Me.”