25-year-old trucker makes it past ‘American Idol’ judges

At American Idol auditions in Orlando, Fla., 25-year-old Matt Lawrence breezed past the judges with a soulful rendition of Ray LaMontagne’s “Trouble.” What most viewers might not have noticed was Lawrence’s occupation — he’s a manager with his father’s trucking company in Starke, Fla. Less sanguine, perhaps, is the fact that he’s also done time for bank robbery (at age 15). In any case, below is the interview Idol interview conducted with him after judges told him he was going to Hollywood. Keep an eye on him — he’s good. If he gets to the later rounds, he ought to be a treat to watch.

You can check out his audition on this page.