Idol Chatter & Voice Views

He had the backstory: a struggle with diabetes.

He had a famous relative: he’s the nephew of Carlos Santana.

He more than impressed the judges with an original song: “These Shoes.”

And he even auditioned playing guitar with a broken thumb.

But it all ended on the final night of Hollywood Week, when the judges axed Adam in a decision that still qualifies as baffling.

Well, the 28-year-old from Danville, Calif., is back for Season 15, and he has a simple mission.

“I came back to American Idol again because I wanted to show what I’m capable of,” he said during Wednesday’s final audition episode. “It’s one thing to be good and sound good, but it’s another to really connect with who you’re singing to.

“I have a second chance to do it and I want to show the jduges what I can be at 100 percent. So that’s my goal now: Not to give them any reason to let me go.”

Adam auditioned with a new look — very clean-cut compared to last year’s headband and long hair — and what he called “a somba version” of Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

And he was a hit with the judges for a second time, advancing to Hollywood on a 3-0 vote. Harry Connick Jr. complimented him on a nice version of a classic song. Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban both said they liked the tone of his voice.

Adam also stands out as one of the most experienced musicians on Idol during a Season 15 in which the show seems determined to showcase as many 15-year-olds as possible.

He’s been playing piano since age 5, writing music since age 11 and has an album and three EPs to his credit.

In the past year alone, he’s released a six-track EP called “These Shoes” — guess which song is on it — and a single called “This Is a Secret.”

You can follow Adam on Facebook and through his website. On Twitter, he’s simply @AdamLasher.

“These Shoes” — official video for title track from 2015 EP

“Real Nice Guy” — from 2015 EP