NATCHEZ — The Natchez teen who sang in the second round of “The Voice” auditions did not get selected to proceed to the show, but he isn’t letting it get him down.

John Ashton Hicks, 17, said he’ll take a break from singing for a while.

“It’s all good,” Hicks said. “I’ll take the input I got and work what I need to work on.”

Hicks said the judges told him he had the talent, but needed more experience performing in public.

Hicks said he’ll continue to sing after his hiatus.

“I’m kind of voiced-out,” he said.

Hicks didn’t expect to win when he signed up to audition, he said.

“It was kind of a spur-of-the moment type thing,” Hicks said. “I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been. Next time I think I’ll be more prepared and more confident.”