One of this year's male American Idol finalists lives and works in Branson, Missouri.

Grand Prairie, Texas native, Jason Yeager, moved to Branson two years ago. Since that time he's performed in both the Country Tonight and Shoji Tabuchi shows.

But last year, he started working at another establishment. A business we found now has a track record with sending employees into the American Idol kind of show business.

You can get all kinds of food at Mel's Hard Luck Diner. But, every entrée comes with a side of entertainment.

"They have talent," said restaurant regular Don Norris of the signing waiters at the Diner. "They have to have talent to sing here."

It's the kind of talent even Hollywood is recognizing.

"I'll bet there isn't another place in the country that's had two American Idol contestants," said Mel's Hard Luck Diner owner Mel Bilbo.

Three years ago, Matt Kester made it to the top 44 in Season Four of the show. He left his job at the Diner for Hollywood.

"It was so exciting.  It was nauseating." remembered Kester.

And now server Jason Yeager is in the top twenty of the current season of American Idol.

"He's very happy and very excited," said co-worker and friend Mark Bliss. "We're really excited for him."

But it's not just his co-workers cheering the current contestant on.

"I'm voting regularly," said Norris. "So is the whole family."

Customers who've heard him sing here in Branson are applauding him from around the country.

"They'll call and say is that the Jason from the Hard Luck Diner?" said Bilbo of the multiple phone calls from across the country he's received. "We want to make sure we're voting for the right one!"

"It's funny, we're here in little ole Branson and we're known all over the country," added Bliss.

Technically, Jason is still employed at the restaurant.

"I hope he doesn't come back as a server because that means he's gone on to bigger and better things and I would say that about all of our servers," said Bilbo.

Server or not, Jason's still getting tips from his fans at Mel's Hard Luck Diner.

"I just told him not to let his nerves get to him," said Kester of the advice he gave Yeager. "But he's made it so far, he's not going to let his nerves get to him."

Jason's co-workers regularly call and text-message him. They say he's having a great time in L.A., but is a little homesick. They believe if he sings like he usually belts it out at the Diner, expect to see him in the final round.

Wednesday night is the females' turn on American Idol and one of the ten is also from Southern Missouri. We'll have more on Asia'h Epperson from Joplin on Wednesday.