Christian rocker Jesse O'Brien is praising God for his early Christmas present - a son named Joel.

The Hamilton preacher's wife, Catharina, gave birth on Friday to the couple's third child.

The top 10 NZ Idol finalist had to pull out of the Idolized tour to be at his wife's side.

Joel, weighing 2.94kg, was born at 2.45pm on Friday.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday News from Waikato Hospital Jesse said he was over the moon.

"He's a very cute little boy," a beaming Jesse said.

"I'm feeling great and really, really excited and really, really proud.

"I just can't believe we've got another little baby.

"He's so cute. We're just over the moon."

This is the second time the bleached-blond singer has pulled out of NZ Idol gigs. In 2004 Jesse shocked NZ Idol bosses when he turned down his shot at fame to be at the birth of daughter Carmel, now two. Jesse missed three Idolized shows but isn't concerned.

On Thursday, the 28-year-old flew from Timaru to Hamilton for the birth.

He joins his NZ Idol mates today to finish off the nationwide tour. Jesse is touring and performing with soul diva and NZ Idol winner Rosita Vai, hunky runner-up Nik Carlson and other top 10 finalists.

"Apologies to all the people in Dunedin. That's where all my family come from.

"I was a bit gutted to miss that," he said.

Jesse will spend time with his family once the tour is finished.

And he plans to go hard with his music in 2006.

"I love music and I really want to make something of it," he said