The Voice 28 Recap: Blind Auditions 6 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 28 Blind Auditions END tonight with episode 6 (Oct 7) with a new coaches lineup, including two-time winners, Niall Horan and Michael Bublé, one-time winner Reba McEntire, and hoping to nab his first trophy, Snoop Dogg.
The Voice 28 Format Explained, Including Twists and Turns!
The Voice 28 Contestant Preview (16 Singers to Watch!)
Team Snoop and Team Reba have three spots left on their respective teams, while Team Niall and Team Bublé have two each.
Trinity – Don’t Let Go (Love) by En Vogue
Trinity loves singing, but as a kid, she was shy about it. She did not even want to sing in front of her family. But her mother was extremely supportive of the singer’s musical aspirations.
Trinity kills it on this En Vogue cover. Her tone and phrasing are exquisite. She brings her own thing to the performance. Niall, Reba and then Michael hit their buttons. Snoop brings up the rear. A 4-chair turn!
Reba calls her a “powerhouse.” Michael calls it “so cool” watching Reba watch the other coaches NOT TURN. He thinks Trinity could crush the phone book. Snoop felt she held the song down impressively as a solo. He calls her a “superstar.” Niall turns on the charm. Or he tries. He also calls her a superstar. – 4-chair turn, Trinity picks Team Bublé! He is stunned, truly.
Letter to Elise – Take on Me by A-ha
Elliot Hunt (27) and Chris Lillis (30), make up Letter to Elise, a duo from Buffalo, New York. The two are best friends. They have been singing together since high school choir. Eliot auditioned last season as a solo, and got no chair turns. Now he’s back with his duo.
The guys sing a ballad-y rendition of the enduring 80s hit, “Take on Me.” When the coaches figure out it’s a duet, chairs begin to turn. Snoop and then Reba. They seem nervous–some pitch things here and there. But they got chairs to turn. Does it matter?
Fun fact: The name is inspired by The Cure. They love 80’s music, I guess! It reminded Snoop of Junior High School music. Niall thought there were more than two people on stage. Reba loved the harmony. She loves duos. Finally, Michael recognizes Eliot from last season. He didn’t turn because of the pitchy bits. Reba and Snoop turn, Letter to Elise picks Team Reba
Camille Tredoux – 26 – Behind Blue Eyes by The Who
The song reminds Camille of her father’s battle with cancer. Two days before he passed, he bought her a bunch of recording equipment. The singer is from Johannesburg, South Africa. She doesn’t have an accent!
Camille delivers a tender version of this rock classic. I was expecting big vocals, but she gives the song the singer-songwriter treatment. But she also has the ability to belt out the big notes, as she does on the chorus. She’s interesting. Reba and Niall turn.
Michael didn’t turn, but he loved her voice, quick vibrato and Janis Joplin vibes. Niall also compares her to Janis and Joni Mitchell as well. Reba calls her performance an “ah” moment. She describes it as sweet, crisp and “real butter.” Snoop hints that he might steal her later. Niall and Reba turn, Camille picks Team Niall.
Oh looky. Host of American Ninja Warrior, Matt Iseman is in the audience. A little NBC cross promotion going on here.
Emmanuel Rey – 27 – Primera Cita by Carin León
The singer, grew up in Inglewood, California, and is a huge Snoop fan. He struggled growing up in a tough neighborhood. He was the first in his family to go to a 4 year university, and now he’s a 2nd grade teacher. He sings for his kids all the time.
Emmanuel’s sweet, smooth tone inspires Snoop and Michael to hit their buttons. He performs the song entirely in Spanish. I don’t understand what he’s singing, but can feel the emotion.
Snoop shouts ENGLEWOOD as Emmanuel introduces himself. Of course, Michael breaks out the ole Spanish. HEY EMMANUEL, MICHAEL ALREADY HAS A LATIN ARTIST ON HIS TEAM. Snoop admires the singer’s confidence and mentions that he has a Latin artist on his label. Snoop and Michael turn, Emmanuel picks Team Snoop.
Myra Tran – 26 – Symphony by Clean Bandit
Myra lives in California, but was born to a traditional Vietnamese family. She learned to sing in English before she could speak English. She competed in singing completions in Vietnam as well. She came to the US at 18 years old.
However, English is Myra’s second language and she needs to learn to enunciate her words more clearly. Plus she ran in to a few pitch problems on stage. So, no chair turns.
Snoop believes she has the skill set to be great. Reba suggests to a tearful Myra that she come back. Michael felt she should come back with a different song and arrangement. Snoop gives the young singer a hug and a pep talk. – No Turns
Aubrey Nicole – 19 – Burning House by Cam
The singer grew up watching The Voice. She knows that the teams are almost full. She’s nervous, and montaged! Reba is the only coach to hit her button. She is moved by Aubrey’s emotional performance. Snoop hands a tissue to a crying Aubrey. – Only Reba turned
Aaron Nichols – 37 – Cold by Chris Stapleton
The singer hails from Bakersfield, California, but now lives in Nashville. Growing up, his family was poor. His mother worked a couple of jobs, but regardless, she managed to pay for guitar lessons. Eventually Aaron played weddings and parties. His wife supported a move to Nashville. Eventually, the two had a child together.
Man, SO many artists cover Chris Stapleton these days. That’s what happens when an artist consistently pens great songs. Aaron sings with a raspy, deep tone. On the chorus he goes for it, prompting Reba to turn. Michael and Snoop hit their buttons at the last minute.
Michael loves his gravelly, gritty voice. But he feels Reba will get him. Snoop rhymes a little to woo Aaron away from Reba. His sales pitch is good. Reba DID hit her button first, however! Reba, Michael and Snoop turn, Aaron picks Team Reba. Because the wife would be BIG mad otherwise.
Reba’s Team is Full!
Jerrell Melton – 29 – Go the Distance by Michael Bolton
The artist has spent most of his time behind a piano, but he loves to sing. The Georgia native has done music directing, taught piano, and weddings. When he was 18, his mother was diagnosed with the connective tissue disease, scleroderma. Sadly, she died earlier this year. His sisters say mom would be so proud.
Michael has super adult-contemporary vibes and a big classical sound. Nice tone! When an artist says they have not sung primarily, they usually aren’t great. Lucky for Jerrell, Snoop liked what he heard, but was the only chair-turner. Jerrell would have been perfect for Michael.
Snoop heard his big voice. He loved the Broadway sound. He assures Jerrell that he’s not competing with anybody. The coaches meet his sisters. More hugs from Snoop! He loved his mother too. – Only Snoop turned
The Voice season 26 winner, Sofronio Vasquez, is in the house. The Filipino singer won alongside Michael Bublé. A clip has Michael and Sofronio hanging out with Paul Anka. That’s pretty hip. (not).
Elias Gomez – 29 – Lonely Teardrops by Jackie Wilson
NBC previewed Elias’ performance a few days ago, and nothing in that clip prepared me for his background as a circus performer. He demonstrates hammering a huge nail into his nose. YUCK. He performs fire tricks and such on the streets. If The Voice does not work out, he can always check out America’s Got Talent! But, Elias prefers singing.
Elias sings the classic Jackie Wilson tune in his own way, giving it a Western/Latin flavor. His voice is fluid and easy on the ears. In the end, the singer grabs three chairs, and that’s only because Reba’s team is full.
In order to impress him, Michael introduces his season 26 winner, Sofronio Vasquez, who is sitting in the audience. Thumbs up! Snoop does not fight that hard for Elias, but does compliment him. Niall believes he could sing anything. Michael, Niall and Snoop turn, Elias picks Team Bublé (at Elias’ mother’s urging).
Michael’s team is FULL and he’s FEELING GOOD.
Alex Brown – 26 – How Can You Mend a Broken Heart by Bee Gees
The singer describes himself as an introvert and much different from his Elvis-impersonating dad. Alex lives in Nashville, by way of Huntsville, Alabama. He moved to Music City right after college. Currently, he runs audio for other bands at various venues. His wife is also a singer.
What’s funny about Alex, an Alabama boy, is that he walks on stage wearing a jacket and a trucker hat. But then an ethereal, heavenly, soulful vocal tone comes out of his mouth. His head voice and falsetto are crazy-delicate and sweet. His control is insane. He is reminiscent of the late singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley who performed in a similar style. Michael and Reba teams are full. Niall and Snoop fall over themselves hitting their buttons. (I may have found my new favorite).
Snoop calls the singer a “bad man.” Snoop admires that he stayed in pocket and is a great artist. Niall respects his control and effortless appeal. Reba loved his spin on the song. Michael is VERY bummed he couldn’t turn. Snoop and Niall turn, Alex picks Team Niall. He compares Alex to Justin Timberlake.
Team Niall is FULL
Bullfrog – 43 – Soulshine by Allman Brothers
Bullfrog is the truck driver’s CB name. Oh boy. At home, he hangs out in the Florida woods. He sang in church growing up, and currently sings at bars and motorcycle clubs. Oh. He didn’t pursue a music career as a young man.
He’s better than I expected. Unfortunately, he’s auditioning for only one remaining spot. Snoop isn’t going for it. That’s for sure. He’s a little pitchy on the verse, but with more experience, he could be a decent singer. No turns.
Niall calls him powerful, but a little pitchy. Yes. Snoop has something else in mind, but he enjoyed the singer’s performance. Michael suggests he come back and sing “Joy to the World.” YUCK. YUCK. YUCK. – No Turns
Makenzie Phipps – 23 – 4x4xU by Lainey Wilson
Growing up in small town Virginia, Makenzie has never been to the West coast before. She’s been singing since 15 years of age. Eventually, she joined a band. Eventually, she and her parents moved to Nashville in order to pursue the singer’s dreams. She currently works at a donkey daycare facility.
If Makenzie had performed earlier in the process, she would have possibly gotten 4 chairs.. At least three! She belts the song with passion in a full strong voice. Obviously, Snoop is going to turn, and he does at the very last minute.
Reba hints that she MIGHT steal Makenzie. Michael assures the singer that Snoop will be an awesome coach. Snoop felt Makenzie’s spirit. And also, Reba would have been mad if he didn’t hit his button – Snoop completes his team.
Snoop’s team is FULL
The Battle Rounds begin next Monday, October 14.
