By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / For the Reporter

WILSONVILLE — Savannah Coker loves to sing.

The daughter of Tami and Bob Coker of Wilsonville, Savannah is homeschooled to allow her time to pursue her dream to become a singer. She is a member of the girl’s trio Sweet Tea. She decided to try out for American Idol during the Idol Bus Tour that stopped in Tuscaloosa in August 2013.

Although she did not make the cut, she met Dexter Roberts in the audition line. The two immediately bonded and have been dating since then.

Savannah flew to Hollywood with Roberts’ mother on Tuesday, March 11, to see her boyfriend Roberts perform live on American Idol March 12-13.

Roberts, 22, graduated from Fayette County High School and is a farmer pursuing his dream to sing. He loves to hunt, fish, and play music.

“Dexter is extremely funny and totally genuine,” said Savannah’s mother, Tami. “What you see is what you get. He is exactly what you see on American Idol. He is always for the underdog and a great young man.”

“For years people have encouraged Dexter to try out for American Idol,” said Dexter’s mother Deborah Musgrove. “I told him I heard that the Idol Bus Tour was coming to Tuscaloosa. I was in Georgia visiting my daughter’s new baby when his grandmother called and said you will never believe what has happened. Dexter got picked for American Idol and is being interviewed and is on TV. Dexter has a gift from God. His grandmother gave him his first guitar at age five. He has never had a music lesson but can hear a song on the radio and play it back by ear. He can remember lyrics and can sing anything.”

“Dexter has never met a stranger,” said girlfriend Savannah. “He treats me like princess. He always makes people laugh and puts them at ease. I am so excited for this is the first time I have ever seen him perform live.”

You can vote 50 times a night for Dexter by phone 1-855-443-6501; google American Idol and click on Dexter’s picture; text 1 to 83676; or Super Vote TM (App) Americanidol.com/vote.