Country Singer Grace West Is Blake Shelton’s Final Chair Turn Ever
A historic moment happened on the final night of The Voice Season 23 blind auditions. Throughout the round, the show constantly reminded audiences that Blake Shelton was headed toward his final button push as a coach. And it turned out that Grace West, a young female country singer, and a perfect fit for the country coach, nabbed that last spot. Blake, as every The Voice fan knows, is leaving the series at the end of this season.
Nineteen year old Grace is originally from Canton, Michigan, but relocated a year earlier to Nashville, where she works as a dog walker. She enjoys the job’s flexibility that allows her to juggle both dog-walking and writing songs. At the age of 12, she was recognized after a talent show. Later, she signed a publishing deal with Mucho Love Music in Nashville at the age of 16. She calls songwriting, “one of the most vulnerable things you can do.” Watching the show growing up was a “family tradition,” she said. The Nashville music scene is a difficult one, she contends, “it has been hard to be taken seriously because of how much younger I am than everyone else.”
Grace accompanies herself on guitar for her rendition of “Maybe It Was Memphis” by Pam Tillis. She starts very strong with a rich country tone. The way she navigates the lower notes of the song is effortless and impressive. Her voice is reminiscent of late 1990s and early 2000s country vocalists like Faith Hill and Sara Evans as her voice possesses the same richness as these two. She sounds much older than 19, and her voice employs a nice cry when she belts. Her rendition places her as a frontrunner immediately.
Grace has a chance to make history
Blake and Niall Horan turn mid-song when Grace starts to belt out the chorus with ease. Host Carson Daly notes that Blake has only one spot left.
Each coach seems very impressed. Niall says, “Just to let you know, I thought it was better than he did.” Niall says that Grace’s voice contains “so many sweet tones” calling her a “real born storyteller.” He notes that his Irish music led him to work with country music writers in Nashville. He does a Blake impression, making fun of Blake’s pitch that she’ll be on the last team Blake, realizing that the veteran coach has the advantage here.
Blake mentions that he too moved to Nashville at 17, and worked for a publishing company. He says, “I actually hear Pam Tillis in your voice.” He goes on to say, “I have one spot left on my team. I would be honored if you would join the last Team Blake as the last person I will ever hit this freaking worn out button for.” Surprisingly, Kelly vouches for Blake, insisting that his team is a great fit for the young singer.
Grace ultimately chooses to make history as the final blind audition member on Team Blake. Blake is thrilled knowing that Grace, a young talented country singer will be his last team member, ever. The show probably hoped for a good fit and stand-out as his last button-push.
The Battles begin next week
Other than Grace, NariYella (Team Chance), the final 4-chair turn of the season wowed with a powerhouse cover of the Dreamgirls classic “One Night Only.” It was a great way to wrap up the Season 23 blind audition. The Battles begin airing next week.
