Tim Mahoney at the Basillica Block Party pre-NBC. / Star Tribune file

It took Minneapolis club veteran Tim Mahoney less than 30 seconds to make a strong impression on one of the judges on NBC's "The Voice" -- never mind that he completely made a wrong impression.

"It's going to get weird before it gets normal," Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine warned the singer as he started to explain why he picked him for his team during Tuesday's prime-time telecast. "I thought you were a chick."

If you haven't seen the incessant promos for the new series, the audition portions of "The Voice" require the four all-star judges to listen with their backs to the singing contestants. If they can't see them, then it's really all about "the voice." Each of the four judges are also competing against each other to assemble the best team of singers to coach. The judges signal their approval by pressing the button on their chair to swivel around and face the stage.

A regular at the Fine Line, Cabooze, O'Gara's and just about every suburban bar with a stage, Mahoney indeed sounded sweet and pretty if a bit husky for a "chick" as he sang Sam Cooke's "Bring It on Home to Me" for his audition. Levine pushed his button right away, but then looked surprised when his chair turned around. He went on to explain that he needed a woman for his team, "and sadly you have a penis." This did not deter Levine's vote of confidence, though, as he said his voice has also been mistaken for a woman's a time or two. "I think you and I can work really well together," Levine said at the end. That prompted a ditto and a deadpan from fellow judge Blake Shelton (the other two, Christina Aguilera and Cee-Lo Green, said nothing). "I'm not as interested in talking about your genitalia," the country singer cracked, but then added, "If Adam hadn't pressed his button, I thought I might. But I'm glad he did. You guys will make a great couple."

Mahoney advances to next week's "battle round," when eight singers on each team will go head-to-head against each other to whittle each coach's crew down to four. Local bias aside, Tim did give one of the stronger performances on Tuesday, so I'd say he has a very good chance of rolling on. With his parents by his side, the 39-year-old singer told host Carson Daly before his audition how he has encountered "a lot of 'almosts' " in his 14-year career. "This show is so important to me," Mahoney said. "I'm not getting any younger. I feel like this is my last chance."