Dawson Coyle thought he was going home -- not so!
WILLIAMSTOWN -- For a moment Tuesday night, Dawson Coyle thought his journey on "The Voice" was over.
But just as the 17-year-old singer from Williamstown was saying his farewell to coach Blake Shelton, who chose Coyle's "Battle Round" competitor to advance, fellow panelist Alicia Keys hit her button.
"We have a steal!" yelled host Carson Daly, and the South Jersey teen was born anew on the NBC singing reality show, advancing to the "Knockout Round" of 32 with the soulful pop songstress Keys guiding him from now on.
Coyle did well in his rendition of Katrina and The Waves' hit "Walking On Sunshine," injecting life and some theatrics to balance a strong, pop-ready vocal. Though he was paired up against 14-year-old Aliyah Moulden, one of the season's young phenoms, who doled some huge belts and won Shelton's vote.
In the blind audition round Coyle sang a bright version of Needtobreathe's "Happiness," and earned Shelton's chair-turn in the song's last few bars.
"My favorite thing about your voice is how much absolute passion and how much of yourself you pour into your performance," Shelton said.
Keep an eye out for Coyle, as well as Teaneck nurse Felicia Temple, in the next round, which begins April 3.
Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.