Chris Sligh, the "American Idol" contestant who has won fans thanks to his curly mop of hair and soulful voice, has a few people concerned with his departure from strictly Christian music.
But for most others in this city of 56,000 about 100 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C., Sligh has become a hometown hero.
Jonathan Pait, a spokesman for fundamentalist Bob Jones University where Sligh attended for several years, said: "We really are somewhat disappointed with the direction he has gone musically."
He nonetheless tunes in each week to monitor Sligh's progress. People say that Sligh, a 28-year-old son of missionaries, may be singing rock 'n' roll on television, but he's always clear about the faith that motivates his music.
"He's not going to back away from the fact that he's a Christian," said Chris Surratt, pastor of Seacoast Church, where Sligh has been music leader for more than two years. "He's going to let that shine through in what he does." Hundreds of people gather each week to hear Sligh's music at Seacoast, where his electric guitar and vocals have become an integral part of services, Surratt said.
Support for Sligh also is strong at North Greenville University, the small Baptist school he attended for several years after leaving Bob Jones in the late 1990s.
Cheryl Greene, the professor who helped Sligh hone his vocal talents, said just because Sligh may not be singing strictly Christian-themed songs shouldn't reflect on the depth of his faith. "It would be like me being in a jazz band," Greene said. "You can be a Christian or non-Christian. It's a style of music."
Local fans — some wearing fake glasses and curly wigs and calling themselves the "Fro Patro" — gather each week at restaurants and bars to cheer Sligh on.
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