Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Peyton Aldridge, 25, of Cleveland, Mississippi, performed “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band. John Legend turned almost immediately for Peyton’s high-energy performance, and used his block on Blake Shelton, who eventually turned as well. So did Gwen Stefani. John said he was “captivated” by Peyton’s voice, so captivated he used his block in an attempt to land him. Gwen said Peyton already seems to know himself as an artist. Peyton decided to join Team Legend.

Here’s more about Peyton:

* He’s a country singer born and raised in the Mississippi Delta.

* And he’s already the veteran of one televised singing show, having appeared on Season 18 of American Idol.

* He wound up being the focus of Hollywood Week duet round drama when his partner, Madison Paige, couldn’t find him when it was time to rehearse. When located, Peyton explained that he was hungry and had picked up chicken wings at a nearby gas station.

* The duo decided to name themselves “The Chicken Wings,” but their performance of “Don’t You Want to Stay” by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson didn’t quite gel. Peyton apologized to Madison and urged the judges to given her another chance. Moved by his humility, the judges advanced both singers.

* Peyton wound up being eliminated in the final Hollywood round. The duet was his only performance to air.

* Others, apparently, went much better. He sang “Pride and Joy” and “Folsom Prison Blues” at his audition and received three yeses from the judges. And he says they gave him a standing ovation following his first Hollywood performance, a cover of “Nothin’ On You” on piano.

* He also addresses the chicken wing incident in a video on his Facebook page. Head to the 27-minute mark to see what he had to say.

* In his Spotify bio, Peyton says “I always knew that music was my passion, but I never really knew until I actually stepped foot on the stage for the first time with my best friend (John Balducci).”

* That first performance was at a Crawdad’s run by his brother. He and the friend were billed as Biscuits and Gravy, a name they later changed to Mississippi Gravy.

* Prior to that Idol appearance, Peyton had already been performing music in his home state for eight years.

* And he’s released a quartet of country singles as Peyton Aldridge — “Hometown Girl,” “All Because of You: and “Life Ain’t As Good Without You” in 2020 and “Day Drinking” from earlier this year. Check out the latter below.

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