Casey James was ousted from American Idol this week, narrowly missing out on being one of the final two contestants left standing on next week’s finale. That said, he appeared on this morning’s episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and told the talk show host/Idol judge that he never expected to win. “I’m more of a musician than a singer,” the Cool, Texas native said. “I just didn’t think it would be the type of outlet that would accept me. I was so shocked to make it as far as I did.” Watch Casey sing the blues after his interview below!

Ellen reassured James by telling him, “I think you’re a great singer. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Casey, arguably one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen this year, then goes on to explain that he didn’t own a TV set until three weeks before showing up for Idol—which makes us wonder if he thought taking your shirt off during the auditions was just the norm?