The Voice season 18 Blind Auditions continue with returning coaches Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. New coach Nick Jonas joins the panel. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
The Voice Season 18 Contestant List Spoilers: Blinds, Battles, Knockouts
KELLY CONFIRMED DURING TONIGHT’S SHOW: ONLY TEAMS OF 10 THIS SEASON! That means a Top 40 going into the Battles instead of the usual Top 48.
Allegra Miles – Use Somebody by Kings of Leon – 16 – St. John US Virgin Islands – She grew up on the beach, diving and snorkeling in paradise. Her family is very musical. At 11, they left VI for Florida. Currently, she gigs all over the place. She sings a ballady version of the song, accompanying herself on electric piano. Kelly is the first to hit her button. Nick turns next. Allegra sounds older than sixteen. John heard a couple of control things, but he loves her tone. Tone is definitely her standout quality. Kelly compares the singer to Brynn Cartelli from a couple of seasons ago. Allegra is clearly a Kelly Clarkson fan! Nick notes that he comes from a musical family, just like Allegra. Blake loves her head voice. Allegra picks Nick! I’m a little surprised. But Nick can be VERY persuasive.
Kelly and Nick turn, Allegra picks Team Nick
Cammwess – Earned It by The Weeknd – 21 – Blythewood SC – His parents put the kids in sports early on. His dad was an airborne ranger in the military. He switched to music from sports, and his family was supportive. He studies music education at school. Camm has a a slinky soulful sound which gets John hitting his button almost immediately. Actually, their styles are very similar. Blake hits his button at the last minute. It would be amazing if Camm picked him! But I doubt it. Kelly knew she had no chance, so she didn’t turn. The coaches sing happy birthday to Camm–he’s turning 22 the next day. Why is Kelly losing it? Calm down girl. John calls Camm a force to be reckoned with on the show. Blake begs to be his coach, knowing he has virtually no shot. And indeed, Camm picks John.
John and Blake turn, Camm picks Team Legend
Joei Fulco – Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves by Cher – 22 – Lancaster CA – Joei is in shadow when the song starts, without a video package. Now why are they hiding her from us? Blake hits his button after a bit. She has a very Cher like quality to her voice. It’s raspy deep voice. In the meantime, Blake blocks Nick. Kelly calls her sound old school. Joei says she grew up in a family band and wants to sing country rock. She’ is an interesting singer, but is she worth a block? Hm. And I still don’t understood why they hid her.
Blake turns, he blocks Nick
Sara Collins – Johnny and June by Heidi Newfield – 18 – Baton Rouge LA and Gatlinburg TN- This isn’t a great song choice, but Sara has a big voice. Nick and Kelly take a minute, but they eventually hit their buttons. Once again, it’s Kelly vs Nick. John heard some pitch issues, so he didn’t turn. That’s why Blake didn’t turn either. Nick compares her to Maren Morris. He describes how he loves writing country music. DANG HE’S GREAT AT PITCHES. Kelly namechecks all of her country connections, and stresses that she has won the show with young country females They saved her video package for the end–Sara plays Blake’s club, Ole Red all the time. She’s also opened for artists like Hunter Hayes. Sara picks Kelly!
Nick and Kelly turn, Sara picks Team Kelly
Clerida – Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae- 30 – Long Island NY – She started playing cello in middle school. After college, she played at a bunch of high profile gigs. But in the past couple of years, she has focused on sining. Tonight, she will accompany herself on the instrument. She has a jazzy voice, but it’s missing something essential. She’s a little pitchy and sounds nervous. Nobody is turning. I wouldn’t! Yup. No turns. The cello surprises the coaches. Nick calls her bold, but not quite there yet. John thought her voice only shined in a few moments. Blake says come back, and save the cello for later.
No Turns.
Samantha Howell – Take it on the Run by REO Speedwagon – 19 – Virginia Beach, VA – She did a talent show at age 8. She taught herself guitar and wrote her first song at 13. At 17, she recorded an EP in California. Now, she lives in Nashville. She sings at night for tips. OK. That denim shirt she’s wearing is a HUGE NOPE. Oops Kelly uses her block on Blake. He knows it, but hits his button anyway. To get it over with, I suppose. Nick eventually turns. Her vocal displays a rather ordinary country twang. She’s old fashioned, but not in an interesting way. Kelly rubs it in, that she used her ONLY BLOCK on Blake. He’s so upset that he pulls his hair into interesting configurations. Nick feels Samantha is more than just a country singer. Samantha describes herself as a singer/songwriter in the Brandi Carlile mold. So, tonight is all about the war between Kelly and Nick. They are 1 to 1 right now. Blake, out of revenge, advocates for Nick. Heh. Kelly is the better coach for Samantha, obviously. And Samantha picks Kelly!
Kelly and Nick Turn, Kelly Blocks Blake Samantha picks Kelly
Jamal Corrie – Be Alright by Dean Lewis – 26 – San Francisco CA – He’s been busking for about 4 or 5 years. He makes a lot of money! He supports his autistic brothers and ailing mom. He’s busked all over the world. It will be his first time performing on an actual stage. He sings in a very pretty falsetto. He better bust a big note, though. Blake hits his button. Kelly didn’t turn because she didn’t feel he was “all in.” See: Needs a big note! John agrees with Kelly. He sounded a little “tight” to John. Blake believes in Jamal, and is looking forward to helping him.
Only Blake turned
Ruby G. Hard Place by H.E.R. – 29 – Brooklyn NY – She played in her synagogue band. After moving to NY she sang hooks in a hip hop group. Neither of her parents are musical. She has a nice lower register, and an interesting tone. She’s not much in her upper register though. It’s gonna hurt her chances. Kelly seemed torn, but did not hit her button. John thought the song pick was wrong, she needed those sweet high notes. The coaches urge her to come back.
No Turns
Samuel Wilco – Lately by Stevie Wonder – 39 – Fort Knox KY – Samuel is in the Army, joined at 18. He’s been deployed to Kuwait 3 times and is currently training new recruits at Fort Knox. He calls cadence during marches. He started doing shows locally, and won an Army talent show. He’ll be retiring in 2021, so he’s looking ahead. His wife LOVES The Voice. I was expecting more from his vocal. It’s kind of thin. And I don’t love his tone either. The audience seems to love it, though. Kelly hits her button on a high note, and Nick follows. Kelly loves the song choice, and his voice. “We need a voice like yours in this competition,” says Nick. Blake is still trying to sell Nick, but then decides it might be better just to lay back. Sam picks Nick because his kids love him. Heh!
Nick and Kelly turn, Samuel picks Team Nick.
Hawk McIntyre – Lie to Me by Jonny Lang – 20 – Boone IA – Hawk introduces himself as a blues musician. His parents split up when he was 3 years old. His dad has been raising him ever since. Guitar playing was an escape for Hawk. He’s been performing around his hometown for several years. He seems really nervous. His singing is OK, but could be more assured. Hm. He’s very very pitchy. I think it’s nerves. Aw. No turns. Kelly wanted more upper range. Nick suggests he come back. Blake thought the song didn’t highlight his vocal.
No Turns
Thunderstorm Artis – Blackbird by The Beatles – 23 – Haleiwa HI – We previewed this performance earlier HERE. The singer comes from a family of 11 children. Everyone is musical. Each of the kids have hippie-dippie names like Thunderstorm. His dad was an artist and a jazz musician. Sadly, he passed from a heart attack when the singer was only 13. For a while, Thunderstorm and his brother performed as a duo. But eventually, his sibling broke off, believing Thunderstorm needed to be a solo performer. His rendition of The Beatles’ classic is gorgeous, delicate and original. He gets three immediate turns. Blake hits his button last.
4 chair turn – Thunderstorm picks Team Legend
