Jas-mania is back.

It may be for the evening or for the duration, but “AmericanIdol” fans who were crushed to see Mississippi School of the Artsjunior Jasmine Murray not advance last week can cross all theirfingers and toes once more as Murray was called back for the wildcard round of the popular singing reality show.

Murray was one of eight earlier eliminated contestants to becalled back to the stage Wednesday night. They will sing for arenewed shot at the chance to be America’s next “Idol” Thursday at7 p.m., with three being chosen to advance to this season’s Top12.

MSA Director Vicki Lambert said school officials are ecstatic tohear the good news that Murray will get another shot.

“We’re wildly excited and can’t wait to see how she doestonight,” Lambert said this morning. “Our music teacher thinksshe’s got everything she needs to go all the way to the top.”

Hopes of Brookhaven residents, as well as “Idol” fans all overthe state, were dashed last week when Murray was voted out of thecompetition after performing what judges said was probably a poorsong choice.

Others close to the teen said drawing the first spot had to be anerve-wracking experience as well. Lambert said that has its prosand cons.

“If you go first you don’t have to be nervous the whole timewaiting to perform, but you also set the pace for the evening, soit’s tough to say,” Lambert said. “She probably would have beenmore comfortable closer to the middle or the end of thelineup.”

Murray’s MSA host mother, Jennifer Jackson, said she thinksbeing eliminated might have been a step backwards, but she thinksMurray will be ready for the challenge.

“She’s ready, she is ready. She is going to lay it on them, Iknow she will,” Jackson said. “She’s been dealing with it like atrooper, and we felt all along she’d make it on the wild card,because the judges have obviously liked her from the beginning. ButI knew if she got that she’ll make it all the way through.”

And knowing that Murray has to feel like the pressure is onagain, Lambert offered comforting advice for the teen who isalready a star to her home territory.

“Do your best, and the state of Mississippi is behind you,”Lambert said.

Jackson’s words of wisdom, while similar, were a little moreeffusive.

“I’d tell her to shine and be herself and bring it like a diva.If she’ll bring it like I know she can, I know she’ll make itthrough to the final 12,” she said. “We love her and the wholestate of Mississippi is so proud. She’s made us all so proud.”