Travis Garland: Who Is He?

Travis Garland

/ Geffen Records

NEW YORK (CBS) FOX's "American Idol" pulled a hat trick last night with an up-and-comer named Travis Garland.

After watching him perform a show-stopping "Believe," TV audiences are asking themselves today : "Just who is he?"

A good ol' boy from Lubbock, Texas, the 20-year-old singer is signed to Geffen, managed by Jessica and Ashlee Simpson's dad, Joe, and championed by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton. He has a Texas churchgoing background to boot and he built his chops in the largely unknown boy band NLT (Not Like Them), a group which also features Kevin McHale, who plays Artie on FOX's "Glee."

The guy's got "pop" plastered all over him.

Perez Hilton, who sported a Travis Garland T-shirt while chatting with Ryan Seacrest before introducing the singer, says he has "a better voice than Justin Timberlake."

Usurping the "New King of Pop" isn't an easy feat. But if this dude can trump even pre-teen idol Justin Beiber on the "American Idol" stage Wednesday night, we might want to look out.

His new single "Believe" was released on iTunes May 18.

[gsivart]

He was more than ready for the show! he is super talented I loved his performance go Travis! you have a fan here!

[spinilli]

Well CBS should have waited to write about this Travis guy. He was HORRIBLE. Perez thinks he's better then Timberlake. That was the most laughable thing about the night. I'm not a fan of Bieber but even he sounded terrific compared to this dude.

[IdareUshay]

OK to be honest, I have to (sort of agree) Travis didnt do his best on American idol. IDK if it was too much dancing going on that it overpowered his singing or what. But I HAVE to say, as a fan since he was a member of NLT, he is extremely talented and he's an amazing artist so Perez isn't dilusional or lying about that.

[mikeybinlex]

Come on, where is your research department? Glee is not an ABC show. It's on Fox. If you can't get the network right, then what else is incorrect in your "news"?

[Sooperstar21]

Kevin McHale plays Artie on FOX's "Glee" - not ABC

[chotex]

NOPE!!! Was not ready for the big live show. Now he'll be known as the guy who tanked on idol. Kinda blah...