ABC allowed Carrie Underwood to reintroduce herself on Sunday, offering curious viewers a taste of what she’ll bring to the judges’ table when American Idol officially returns for Season 23 on March 9 (8/7c).

American Idol hopeful Slater Nalley checks all of the boxes as the kind of contestant judges love: He’s confident, he’s talented, he writes his own songs — but most of all, he’s a good dude with a compelling story.