Thanks to his mom, Chavis’s admiration for Presley started when he was a little boy, he revealed. Lisa, his mother, remembered that he would make up words to Elvis songs before he knew the lyrics, so she got him a little white suit similar to Elvis’s.

Among the new judges introduced in the season premiere—Ariana Grande, Shelton, Legend, and Kelly Clarkson—was Chavis, and his audition was the show-stopper. Calling this chance his greatest to date, Chavis hopes to reawaken a new generation to the joys of old  music.

Clarkson joked about Chavis being from another age, while Grande said that his performance had her dancing in her seat, but neither of them turned their chairs. Nonetheless, they were both impressed. Legend was so excited to collaborate with Chavis that he complimented his tone and range. After much consideration, Chavis hired Blake Shelton to be his season coach.