VIDEO: Mrozinski, Artist with Eagan Roots, Advances on NBC's "The Voice"

Follow Eagan Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter | Blog for us

Country music star Blake Shelton gave one-time Eagan resident Nicholas Mrozinski a gentle ribbing this week as Mrozinski battled his way through his first vocal duel on NBC's "The Voice".

"You look like Jesus, and people like that," Shelton joked, following Mrozinski's Monday performance.

Friendly banter aside, the celebrity coaches heaped praise on Mrozinski, who goes by the stage name Nicholas David on the nationally-televised singing competition. In the end, Mrozinski's coach, Cee Lo Green, chose him over fellow contestant Todd Kessler. Both Mrozinski and Kessler performed a duet of Daryl Hall and John Oates' classic "She's Gone".

"There's nobody else in this world like you," Shelton said, commenting on Mrozinski's vocal performance.

Mrozinski, born in St. Paul, moved to Eagan with his family and graduated from Eagan High School. The longtime musician has produced five albums, with the latest released in 2011. He's currently working on a sixth album, according to a biography posted to his Facebook page.

Following his televised battle on Monday, Oct. 15, Mrozinski will advance to the knockout round and will face another fellow contestant in a one-on-one musical duet. The knockout rounds start on Oct. 29 with two, two-hour episodes of "The Voice".