An " American Idol " contestant impressed legendary singer-songwriter and musician James Taylor with a rendition of one of Taylor's hit songs Sunday night. During Sunday night's episode of "American Idol," contestant Thunderstorm Artis took the stage and sang Taylor's "Fire and Rain."

Thunderstorm Artis may be one of the Top 12 contestants on American Idol now, but that doesn’t mean he’s immune (or averse) to meeting his musical hero.

The 29-year-old singer earned praise from all three judges and Taylor himself with a cover of "Fire and Rain."