He's 27 and has "little experience"? I'm not buying it. I'd be surprised if he hasn't had some vocal training, as well.
90% deaf in one ear
Never went to school for music
Sang karaoke at a local bar in Richmond. Current girlfriend met him there, encouraged him to try out for Idol
His own mother didn't know he could sing until she found out that he had been selected to sing before the 3 judges in Boston
He has obviously received some coaching in the last 3 months since he started AI but that's it.
His mother is a professional singer. In fact he said in the preperformance interview that the standards were what she sang as a professional. He may not have had "formal" lessons but he's at least had some exposure and influence from her.