Paul McDonald: New 'American Idol' favorite shines in Vegas

Why, hello there Paul McDonald. Where have the "American Idol" producers been hiding you?

McDonald, 25, finally got some much-deserved screen time on "Idol's" Feb. 23 episode, where he first shined during a duet with Kendra Chantelle. They performed The Beatles' "Blackbird," which gave judge Jennifer Lopez chills. "I love his voice," Steven Tyler said during the performance.

For his final performance before the judges made their Top 24 decisions, McDonald took a risk and performed an original song: "American Dreams." Despite the judges stressing his quirkiness, the risk paid off and they sent him through to the Top 24. We wonder if he'll wear that white suit throughout the competition for good luck?

McDonald hasn't really been a main focus throughout the audition episodes, probably because he's not crazy (we're looking at you Ashley Sullivan), nor does he have a sob story à la Chris Medina. He impressed the judges during his audition in Nashville where he sang Rod Stewart's Maggie May, but didn't really make an impression until the "Blackbird" performance.

We hate to use this word due to its tendency to be overused when discussing "Idol," but we really think McDonald has a unique voice that will take him far in the competition.

Below are a couple of videos of McDonald, including "Black Bird" and a live performance of "American Dreams" with his band the Grand Magnolias.