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Isaac Atkins of Lewiston showed the crowd and judges on “America’s Got Talent” Tuesday night what he can do with his voice during his first live performance on the show.

The 23-year-old U.S. Army sergeant sang “Way Down We Go,” a song by Icelandic blues rock band Kaleo. The name “Kaleo” translates to “the voice” in Hawaiian.

“I feel very overwhelmed, I still feel nervous and jittery,” Atkins said during a phone call to the Sun Journal. “I feel like I could have done some stuff better but that’s what life’s about: just pushing and perfecting your craft.”

Following the performance by Atkins, who is nicknamed the “Singing Soldier,” former Spice Girl Mel B was quick to speak, calling his effort “amazing.”

“That voice, that voice is everything,” said Mel B, one of the show’s four judges. Atkins got the Golden Buzzer from Mel B in the audition rounds earlier this season, sending him straight to the live rounds.

Another judge, actress and model Sofia Vergara, commented on his composure, saying his energy and confidence was incredible.

It was Atkins’ second time performing on the AGT stage and the first time singing during the show’s live television broadcast.

He said that as he walked onto the stage, the only thing he could tell himself was to not mess up.

Twenty-three-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac Atkins performs “Way Down We Go” during his live performance Tuesday night on “America’s Got Talent.” (Courtesy of Trae Patton/NBC)

“I felt the nerves, but you need to push past that,” said Atkins. “If you don’t push through it, you’re bound to mess up. I just tell myself to not mess up and pushed through it.”

Despite the positives, judges Howie Mandel and Kenan Thompson both gave Atkins some constructive criticism, wishing he had more range during his performance.

“I know we haven’t even tapped into the potential you have,” Mandel said.

“Mel and Sofia, they loved it, they were all in,” said Atkins. “Howie and Kenan, they offered some constructive criticism and I found some truth in it. That’s something that if I get voted through I would work on and be better for the next performance.”

Thompson, an actor and comedian, is sitting in for Simon Cowell, who is undergoing a medical procedure that will force him to miss live episodes, according to E! News.

Singing the selected song Tuesday night, Atkins said he felt powerful, at one point grabbing the camera on the stage and singing into it.

Although he said it was something he rehearsed, he said the moment felt surreal to him.

“My raw vocals and just the power and the grit and the volume of the song, it all felt very powerful and I felt it in me,” he said.

Atkins, who is currently on active military duty in Hawaii, said there was no connection between the song and where he is stationed. He said he worked with the music team at “America’s Got Talent” and the song is what they settled on.

Atkins said moving onto the next round would mean the world to him.

“It would show me that people see I have a passion for this and see me continue to move forward and continue to thrive. If I get voted into the next round I’m going to be better and knock the socks off these people.”

Fans were able to cast a vote for Atkins at this link. Voting ended at 7 a.m. Wednesday. The names of the three acts Tuesday night that received the most votes will be announced on the show Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on NBC. They will advance to the semifinals.