If teenage “American Idol” contestant Crews Wright didn’t surprise the “Idol” judges with his mature voice, then his song choice for Hollywood week certainly did.

The 17-year-old Alabama singer impressed judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie during Monday night’s episode, which showed Wright singing the 1988 song “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty.

The episode marked the beginning of Hollywood week, where “Idol” hopefuls who earned golden tickets faced off against each other for the first time. The episode also revealed the return of the “Idol arena,” an intimidating elimination round where contestants are called to perform before the judges — and their competition — without warning.

“I feel I should be the next American Idol because I believe in keeping traditional country alive,” Wright said, addressing his peers onstage at the Orpheum Theatre before his performance. “Music isn’t about something that’s trending, it’s about something that lasts, and I try to leave a little piece of me on every stage I walk across.”

Wright’s deep voice and command of the crowd left the judges in disbelief regarding his age.

“You swear you’re 17?” Bryan said.

“We need a birth certificate,“ added Underwood.

After teasing Wright, Bryan shared his assessment of Wright’s song choice.

“To pick a Conway Twitty song – I mean, I grew up on that and lived it,” he noted. “And the fact that you’re 17 and that’s where your brain is with music, and that’s where you want to sing, is pretty cool stuff.”

The performance ultimately secured Wright a spot in the “showstoppers” round of the competition, which will air next week.