Dave Matthews Challenges ‘American Idol’ Contestant Phillip Phillips to Take Over His Band

After weeks of having his singing style compared to Dave Matthews, 'American Idol' contestant Phillip Phillips finally took the plunge last week and covered one of Matthews' songs on an episode of the show. Naturally, an intrepid reporter for New York Magazine's Vulture asked Matthews to give his thoughts on the performance -- and although he admitted he hadn't heard it, he was willing to weigh in.

Saying he'd missed seeing Phillips perform 'The Stone' on the April 25 episode of 'Idol' because "I keep my head in the sand," Matthews nonetheless gave his youthful doppelganger his seal of approval. "More power to him, I don't mind," he told Vulture. "I wouldn't imagine that imitating me would bring any quality of popularity, but that's OK if it does."

But do the charts have room for two guys that sound like Dave Matthews? "Oh, I don't feel threatened. I am what I am," Matthews said. "Maybe I paved the way for him. I wish him the best of luck! He should kick my a-- -- maybe I can retire and he can take over my band."

So the gauntlet has been thrown. But with a new Dave Matthews Band record on the horizon for this fall, something tells us Phillips is going to have to wait his turn for a while -- and in the meantime, he's got the looming 'American Idol' finale to worry about. Watch Phillips' performance of 'The Stone' below, and let us know if you think he's got what it takes to front the DMB of tomorrow.

Watch Phillip Phillips Performs Dave Matthews Band's 'The Stone' on 'Idol'