The Voice 28 Recap: Premiere Blind Auditions Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 28 Blind Auditions begin with a new coaches lineup, including two-time winners, Niall Horan and Michael Buble, 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!)
We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
For the Blinds, each coach gets a block, and the new TWIST called “The Carson Call Back Card” will be in play. That allows Carson to pick a no-turn artist for a second chance to sing again for the coaches.
The Voice 28 Premiere kicks off with a coaches performance
The premiere kicks off with the coaches singing classic rock song from the 70’s “The Joker,” by Steve Miller. I swear the show picked this song for the “gangster of love” lyric for Snoop to sing, in addition to the marijuana references. Reba singing about being a smoker and a midnight toker is kind of funny.
Aiden Ross – 20 – Love in the Dark by Adele
Aiden is currently a sophomore at Texas A&M University studying industrial engineering. During high school he performed at the family farm. The singer is not picky about who turns for him.
Snoop turns first, followed by Michael and Reba and then Niall. Michael sings with a sweet, soulful tone, perfectly suited to this romantic Adele cover. He’s boasts incredible range and an impressive falsetto and phrasing.
Niall loves how he made the song his own. He mentions that he’s worked with similar voices on the show. Reba is impressed with this stage presence and how he used the stage. Michael wants to make a genuine connection with his artists. His was the best pitch. Snoop calls him Aiden Ross the Boss. He boasts that he turned his chair first and that he’ll help after the show. Niall calls him a potential finalist. Aiden chooses Team Niall
Mindy Miller – Wildflowers and Wild Horses by Lainey Wilson
Mindy is a mom who is also trying to manage a music career in Nashville. She hopes to get at least one chair to turn.
Snoop is looking for his country artist. He turns first. Once Mindy’s enthusiastic performance gets going, Reba turns her chair. Snoop is sunk. Oh wait. He blocked her. WHOOPS. Mindy is probably pissed as Snoop does a victory dance. – Snoop turns and blocks Reba
Max Chambers – 14 – I Want You Back by Jackson 5
Max has been performing since he was two years old. He was recently on Broadway playing young Michael in MJ the Musical last year.
The artist performs “I Want You Back” just like Michael Jackson did–when he is ten! He’s obviously a very young singer, and somewhat unformed. Yet, Michael turns, followed by Reba.
Max’s stage presence is good–Max is a cutie, but his voice hasn’t matured yet. Consider how MJ performed like a mini adult at that age. Max isn’t there yet. Niall acts all surprised when he turns. But c’mon. That kid sounded VERY young.
Reba stresses her versatility beyond country music. Michael compliments his runs and pitch. He feels he can help Max with vocal control. Niall regrets not turning. Max chooses Team Buble (whom he calls Mr. Buble. SO polite!)
Manny Costello – 28 – Almost Home by Craig Morgan
From Athens, Georgia, Manny refers to himself as a “pretty big girl dad.” He loves hanging out with his two daughters. The singer tears up speaking about them. He’s very new to music, and mostly sings in his house.
Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, Manny sings with a distinct twang and trembly tone. Reba turns first, followed by Snoop. Too bad Snoop used his block, Manny is a better singer than Mindy.
Manny’s performance made Reba homesick. She loves his old-school style and chokes up as she talks about the greats. Snoop brags that he hung out with Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, writing a song about pot. Manny picks Team Reba
Ari B – 30 – Are You That Somebody by Aaliyah
Ari is a single mom from Detroit, Michigan. She describes herself as a “mail lady.” On Mondays she sings dittys she makes up about mail for social media. That’s awesome. However, she believes life as a mail carrier is not her destiny.
Nerves seem to be affecting her pitch, which is probably why no coaches are turning. She gains more confidence toward the end of the song, but it is not enough.
Niall notes the pitch issues. Snoop wanted something more soulful. Michael felt she chose the wrong song. – No Turns
Dek of Hearts – Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina
The Voice has a trio this season, Dek of Hearts is a country group that performs with tight harmonies. The group is made up of two guys (Dylan John and Kollin Bailey) and a gal (Emily Clapp). The group has only been together for 14 months. Currently, they are playing gigs in Nashville.
This trio sings IMPECCABLY. Reba didn’t take long to hit her button. Niall turns next and then Snoop. Michael hits his button turning the audition into a 4-chair turn.
Niall is impressed that the trio has developed such tight harmonies in only 14 months. He begs them to choose him. He was also in a band! Reba loves three part harmony so much, she’s crying (not really). Michael calls the situation unfair and begs them to take a risk. Snoop feels he can help them. “Dare to be different.” The fake audience reaction insists upon Reba but then Dek of Hearts picks Team Niall! Shocker.
Peyton Kyle – 26 – Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars
Peyton’s got a couple of elderly stans! A couple befriended him when he moved to Georgia to start his music career. They are both in California to support his audition. After a gig, they handed him a $400 tip and begged him to audition for the show. Oh no, his appendix ruptured in Los Angeles close to audition time. But obviously, he’s well enough to sing.
His superfans noted Peyton’s unusual tone. And he does have that! His vibrato is very fast. His middle range is strong. He’s theatrical without being cloying. Reba turns first, and she is the only one.
Peyton’s voice touched Reba’s heart Niall is immediately regretful. So is Michael, he hints that he could steal Peyton later. – Only Reba turned. He deserved more turns!
Ralph Edwards – 30 – Lights by Journey
The Fresno, California native auditioned for The Voice eleven times! “This is the farthest I’ve ever gotten” he confesses. Ralph is a full time musician.
He sings displaying a solid throwback rock voice. The coaches go wild hitting their buttons for him. A 4-chair turn happens quickly. His upper register boasts a pleasing rasp. Ralph’s got great range and possesses an impressive falsetto!
Reba loves his range and great pitch. Michael LOVES Ralph. “Whoever you choose is going to win The Voice,” he claims. Liam reminds everybody that HE’S been on a singing show too (One Direction on X Factor). Snoop brings his “family” out on stage. Oh, he introduces a bunch of artists he works with, including former The Voice contestants.
He brings out: Georgia Starnes, Charlie Bereal, Jane Handcock, Jeremy Beloate, Jenn Em and Torre Blake. He reminds everybody that Team Snoop has got it going on. Good pitch! Michael mentions that he’s won twice and is producing a record for Sofronio Vasquez. Ralph brings out his family to help with the decision. Ralph picks Team Snoop
Jack Austin – 21 – This Town by Niall Horan
Jack hails from Battle Creek, Michigan, the home of Kellogg’s. He swears the air smells like cereal. Jack started singing in theater camps as a kid. He currently studies music at Western Michigan University. Jack had the opportunity to perform in New York City with Broadway vets.
Jack feels his training has helped him become a storyteller. He’s excited to transform Niall’s song into his own. His voice is pretty and high–very sweet and listenable. Michael hits his button first. Obviously liking what he hears, Niall goes for it. Reba eventually turns. For a theater student, he’s not overly theatrical. He sounds current.
Michael notes that he turned his chair fast. Niall thanks him for the song. He notes Michael’s nerves, but appreciated his melody choices. Then, Niall does that thing where a Voice coach sings with an artist. It’s very nice. Michael and Reba are cooked. Reba calls his voice pure and sweet. And of course, Jack picks Team Niall
Ryan Mitchell – 25 – Cigarette Daydreams by Cage the Elephant
A Los Angeles native, Ryan’s father is also a musician and built a small studio at home. He and his older sibling were in a band together and played the Whiskey when they were only tweens. The singer struggled with alcohol dependence as a teen and became homeless. However, with his family’s help, he got sober.
The Voice experience isn’t easy for Alternative performers. Because in the alternative world, it’s not so much about conventional sounding vocals. If Ryan doesn’t hit a big note, or show that he can take the song somewhere significant, he won’t get turns. And indeed he does not. Too bad. He’s got talent.
Michael compliments his voice, but feels he’s too stylized. Niall wanted to hear different sides of his voice. Reba suggests he come back and try again. OH CARSON IS GOING TO USE HIS CALLBACK CARD GOOD MAN! Ryan will pick a new song and try again in 24 hours!- No Turns, but received Carson’s Call Back Card.
Jazz McKenzie – 31 – What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner
Jazz works for a large wireless company. Her mom is a big fan of the show, and is a singer as well.
She’s a pretty solid vocalist, but it’s hard to imagine her singing beyond working in a cover band or on a cruise ship. Reba finds her so valuable that she blocks Snoop. Jazz ends up with a four chair turn. OK then. She’s good, but not phenomenal.
Jazz is in tears. Michael calls her “sought after.” Snoop gives Jazz a hug, nevertheless. Niall calls her impressive and brave to take on a Tina song. Reba gets Jazz emotional after saying that she hit her right in the heart. Michael is frustrated that he keeps losing, so he brings out Irish step dancers? Really. Niall joins in. He knows what’s what. Some of these gimmicks are so pointless. But it works because Jazz picks Team Buble.
