The Voice 28: Team Bublé Country Battle Results In a Teary-Eyed Reba McEntire Steal
The Voice Season 28 auditions came to an end last week, so that means the Battle round begins. This year the producers slightly tweaked the format, as the artists must choose their own partners from their teams in which to do battle. The coaches are still picking the songs, and each coach has a steal and save. And talk about steals and save, Monday night’s episode featured several of them including an emotional one to end the show.
That duet performance was from Team Michael Bublé’s country pairing, Rob Cole and Austin Gilbert. Rob is a 34-year-old no-chair returnee and dad from North Carolina for whom Michael blocked Reba McEntire to get on his team. Austin is a 25-year-old expecting dad from Oregon who Michael got on his team after sparring with Niall Horan. Reba teased the singer during his audition that she might steal him.
The two vocalists picked each other because they are both country singers. Rob and Austin quickly built a tight bond. Season 27 coach Kelsea Ballerini is the mentor for Michael’s team, and they are thrilled to be working with a country artist. Kelsea describes Rob as “country-adjacent” and “kind of Americana” whereas she thinks of Austin as representing more “traditional country.”
Advisor Kelsea Ballerini suggested that the singers practice in order to stick the landing
The pair sing Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee.” Michael likes how they improvise the song and suggests they continue to do that. Kelsea agrees, adding that whatever they do, they need to be “100% committed.” She also felt they lost it at the last 20 seconds of rehearsal, so advises them to practice as much as they can to “stick the landing.”
Rob opens the song with a gravelly almost country-rock sound. Austin has a ton of energy on stage from the moment he opens his mouth. Rob is the more consistent vocalist, but Austin is more creative in his approach and has more character to his tone. The two don’t do anything crazy harmony-wise, but they sound solid together. I would lean towards Rob just because vocally he has more what it takes to go deeper in the competition. Although the pairing wasn’t a battle I would steal from, a steal makes sense here for Reba who does lack her typical country heavy team.
Team Bublé Chooses Rob Cole…but a steal is coming
Snoop Dogg praises Austin’s energy and Rob’s combination of singing and guitar playing. Snoop is torn as he considers each of their strengths. Niall tells Austin, “The energy of the room got up when you started singing.” Rob, Niall says, reminds him of some of his “favorite country singers,” so he would lean towards Rob. Reba loved how they “lifted each other up,” but she would go with Austin. Michael describes Austin’s voice as “sweet and beautiful.” But he feels Rob was the best. Michael chooses Rob Cole as the winner.
A teary-eyed Austin remarks, “I never thought I would be here.” Reba tears up too, and steals Austin. He cannot believe it. Reba gets emotional saying, “Austin your enthusiasm, your big heart, your gorgeous voice, you’re a cowboy, and I’m so thrilled you are now a part of Team Reba.”
This emotional segment was a heartfelt ending to the show, but for me Monday night’s two best battles came from fellow Team Bublé where 4-chair turn powerhouses, Jazz McKenzie and Trinity fought it out on “Virtual Insanity” with Jazz winning, and Trinity getting saved by Michael after a triple steal attempt. Also, Team Snoop’s opening battle of the night in which Yoshihanna beat Natalia Albertini, a singer Snoop saved after the two sang “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin.
