THE Railway Hotel was jumping on Monday night when Boort singer Elias Lanyon hit the TV screen in the season opening of The Voice Australia.
The 20-year-old local farmer wowed judges in the blind auditions to be first to be selected in coach Kate Miller-Heidke’s team.
Australia’s competitor in Eurovision Song Contest 2019 hit the button saying Elias had a gorgeous voice and belonged on her team. 
She said Elias’ performance of the orchestral gothic pop ballad inspired by Paul the Apostle’s teachings and Biblical allusions, Daylight, had been “emotionally underpinned with real authenticity”.
The recorded show’s live audience cheered when Elias chose to be on Kate’s team - two other judges had also wanted him - were matched in Boort where Elias had gathered in the hotel with more than 30 family and friends.
“Mum and dad were there and some friends. We watched the show and then I went home and watched it again, then spent a long time replying to phone messages,” he said on Tuesday.
“It was unreal. A massive difference to what I have been doing around the area ... I was shaking with nerves and trying to make sure my voice did what it normally does. The feeling walking off stage was insane.”
Elias’ parents Rosemary and Isaac had encouraged him to enter the national competition. 
They were side stage when episode one of the blind auditions was recorded. “A few friends were in the audience but they didn’t make footage on the show,” he said.
Elias said he chose the sing Daylight because “it resonated with me and the lyrics are cool”.
“I was able to put my own spin on it in a performance I hoped would bring out my best and impress the judges.”
And Kate agreed: “I felt you were really inside of that song.”
Fellow judge Guy Sebastian also praised the unique voice of the Boort singer.
Four judges will each select six singers during the blind audition episodes before they prepare the musical aspirants for team battles and showdowns in the 13th series of The Voice.
Elias, who has been singing since he was 15 and is a regular at Loddon Shire events, also has several gigs booked in the region in coming months.
He said the “cool experience” aired on Monday night had been “pretty unreal”.
The Voice continues next Monday night.