If Crews Wright was nervous during his “American Idol” audition, he certainly didn’t show it. The country singer from Samson, Alabama, sang for three powerhouse judges on Sunday’s episode of the ABC reality series, smiling and bantering with Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie.

Wright, 17, flirted with Underwood, performed a duet with Bryan and prompted a standing ovation from Richie, a fellow Alabama native. It was an impressive performance on the series’ Season 23 debut, marked by the teen’s confidence and down-home personality.

“I’ve never really been scared, so to speak,” Wright told the “Idol” production team before his audition. “But definitely performing in front of three huge names is crazy to think about.”

Wright’s song of choice was George Strait’s “The Fireman,” a 1985 hit for the country legend that was written by Mack Vickery and Wayne Kemp. The teen’s rendition certainly wasn’t as polished as Strait’s, but he did have an undeniable twang.

Wright — decked out in a cowboy hat, Western shirt, jeans, boots and big ol’ belt buckle — clearly charmed the judging panel with his strong voice and willingness to be playful on camera.

Wright brought a friend along to play guitar while he sang, but he took the spotlight from the get-go and ran with it.

The teen told series host Ryan Seacrest that he’s been singing since he was “knee-high to a grasshopper” and emphasized that his goal is to be a country music star. When asked by Bryan what he does in his hometown, Wright had an answer ready, referencing songs made famous by all three judges.

“Sometimes I’m huntin,’ fishin’ and lovin’ every day; other times I’m letting Jesus take the wheel,” Wright said. “And other times, I’m takin’ it easy on Sunday mornin.‘”

READ: Alabama singer to be featured in ‘American Idol’ premiere: ‘I’m a diehard traditional country guy’

Wright, who joked that Samson is known as “Snuff City,” also had a cheering section from home, waiting outside the judges’ studio. “He’s having a time in there,” Wright’s father said. “He’s putting that magic on now.”

After his initial performance of “Fireman,” Wright coaxed Bryan to sit down at a nearby piano and sing another chorus with him. Underwood chimed in, too, from her seat at the judges’ table.

“Boy, that was amazing,” Richie said. “You’re gonna go places, son.”

“He’s got a good little voice in there,” Bryan said.

“He’s got a good voice, and a good performer,” Underwood agreed.

It was no surprise, then, when Wright received a golden ticket to Hollywood, and celebrated with hugs from his family members and friends.

“See that right there?” Wright said, holding up his golden ticket. “Looks pretty good to me.”

The teen moves on to the Hollywood round, a notoriously tough part of the competition marked by several challenges and deep cuts. He’s the first contestant from Alabama to show up on “American Idol” this season, but possibly not the last.

Auditions will continue over the next few weeks, airing on Sundays at 7 p.m. CT. Early episodes of the season are filmed in advance.