The Voice 26 Recap: Blind Auditions 2 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 26 Blind Auditions continue to episode 2 with new coaches Michael Buble and Snoop Dogg alongside returning vets Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani. Carson Daly returns as host. We’ll be live blogging all the Blind Audition performances right here.
For the Blinds: Each team winds up with 14 artists. Each coach gets a block, and new TWIST called “The Coaches Replay” which allows a coach to hit their button after an artist is done singing (typically, coaches must turn during the performance).
The Voice 2024: Full Season 26 Schedule (New Twist!)
The Voice 26 Contestant Preview (15 Singers to Watch!)
Inexplicably, Snoop walks into the studio accompanied by a Mariachi band. OK then. Gosh, the hijinks never end!
Dreion – 27 – Shining Star by Earth Wind and Fire
Dreion is from Omaha, Nebraska. He’s opened up on tour for the legendary band Earth Wind and Fire, which he’ll be covering. He met them through the group’s foster care charity. His parents were young parents, but the father was absent, and his mother abusive. He ended up living in 5 different foster homes. Eventually, he reconnected to his mother. Dreion is married with two kids.
Well that opening woke everybody up. He delivers an energetic performance from the first note, including crazy runs and high notes. Also, he works the stage impressively. Eventually, all four coaches hit their buttons.
Reba calls him powerful, “very entertaining.” She talks like she doesn’t expect to get him. “That’s not an easy song to do,” Gwen remarks. Michael loves his falsetto. Snoop declares himself the singer’s coach, promising to help him. Gwen points to her long career in a band to convince him. But Snoop is fighting really hard. Michael promises to help him “pop.” And unsurprisingly, Dreion picks Snoop – 4 chair turn, Dreion picks Team Snoop.
Mor Ilderton – 20 – Coal by Dylan Gossett
His mother passed away when he was two and he first lived with a grandparent, and then a stricter uncle, which Mor needed. He’s only been singing for two years. He describes his taste as indie folk and has not performed in front of an audience. He’s never used a mic before.
Inexperienced singers often wilt on the big stage. He’s obviously nervous, but his tone is raw and emotional. He’s got potential. Michael hit his button fast, Snoop followed, and then Reba…but Michael blocked her! Mor’s authentic alt country sound would have been a good match for Reba.
Michael loves Willie Nelson! He loves distinct voices, he says. Gwen heard “tuning issues.” She says that a lot. Reba called his voice “sexy.” She teases that she might steal him later. Snoop loved the way he projected his lyrics. “Country/Gangsta goes together,” he quips. Michael promises to name his next son after Mor, that’s how much he wants him, he claims. Michael and Snoop turn, Michael BLOCKS Reba. And Mor picks Team Buble.
Crystalla Gonzalez – 34 – Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar
A self described “rocker,” Crystalla is hoping that Gwen hits her button. She’s got a few pitch issues. And unfortunately, female retro rockers are often no turns for some reason. And nobody turned for Crystalla.
Michael was “looking for something else.” Gwen says “you were so close.” She suggests Crystalla not give up. As a consolation prize, Gwen joins the singer on stage to sing an “I’m Just a Girl” duet. They perform as if they rehearsed ahead of time. – No Turns
Felsmere – 33 – Some Kind of Wonderful by Grand Funk Railroad – (First solo return contestant ever)
The singer explains that she’s the first artist to come back to The Voice after previously turning a chair. She first auditioned back in season 1 as a teen. Now, she’s over a decade older and boasting a new sound she hopes the coaches like. It takes a while, but Michael and Gwen eventually turn for the singer’s slinky and soulful sound.
In front of the coaches, she explains that in 2011, she was known as Kelsey Rey. Adam Levine, CeeLo Green and Christina Aguilera turned for her rendition of “American Boy.” She picked Team CeeLo. However, she lost in Battle to The Thompson Sisters singing “Unwritten.” She called the experience, at 20, the best in her life. Now, she writes and produces her own songs.
Gwen believes she can help Felsmere find out who she is. I think Felsmere knows who she is at this point? Michael describes her as a cross between pop and jazz, then makes a chucky cheese joke. Neither is trying that hard to get her. But Gwen nabs her. So is bringing back former contestants going to be a thing for The Voice? They kinda did already with a solo singer that returned in a group. But Kelsey is the first solo singer to get another chance as a solo. – Gwen and Michael turn, Felsmere picks Gwen
Kamila Kiehne – 17 – Black Velvet by Alannah Myles
Black Velvet was a STAPLE of singing shows back in the aughts and early teens. What a blast from the past. Reba got excited before Kamila began to sing. She, Michael and Snoop turn pretty fast. Kamila’s version of the song is solid, but not spectacular. Her voice cracks a little after the turns. Hm.
Michael notes Alannah is Canadian, like him. Gwen who didn’t turn, sensed a lack of control. Kamila explains that she’s been singing since 9, including singing worship at church. Michael promises to help her pick great songs. She chooses Team Buble. After, Michael compares her to Kelly Clarkson. Hm. – Michael, Reba and Snoop turn. Kamila picks Team Buble
Tanner Frick – 26 – Thought You Should Know by Morgan Wallen
The Tennessee native is a maintenance foreman. After his parents divorced, his father raised him. He gradually began to support his son’s musical aspirations. Aw. Dad tears up talking about him. Former The Voice artist Morgan Wallen inspired him to audition.
The country singer has a pleasant sweet tone featuring a hint of a rasp. Eventually all four coaches turn their chairs. A likable personality comes through his performance. He’s an earnest guy.
Snoop brags that he turned first. “Your uniqueness came through,” says Gwen. Michael swears that he loves country music. So far, Tanner has only performed in small local venues. Reba compliments his “Chris Stapleton growl.” Gwen notes she’s married to Blake Shelton. But while the others can only offer once-removed associations, Tanner goes for the real thing, Reba. – 4 chair turn, Tanner picks Team Reba
Iris Herrera – 19 – Gypsy by Stevie Nicks
Iris lives with her mother and younger siblings and is close to her family.
Her vocal tone is suited to the song, but she lacks dynamics. She’s also a bit pitchy. On the higher notes, she’s like a Stevie Nicks dupe. She sounds so much like her, a tribute band for the legendary singer could be in her future. No turns. The pitchy stuff and wonky low notes did her in.
Gwen suggests she film her self, practice more and come back. For a minute, Michael thought he was being punked. He suggests she return and pick a non-Stevie song. – No Turns
Rowdy Shea – 23 – You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This by Toby Keith
He’s from Kentucky, but works on a huge horse and cattle ranch in Texas. He self-identifies as a cowboy. Music kept him company on the ranch, and then he eventually began singing at rodeos. The singer recently got married and got gifted a goat!
A generic song choice, his voice is likewise. Nevertheless, Gwen hits her button pretty fast. Michael hits at the last minute. Meh. Note that Reba did not turn.
He explains that he named himself after a character in the old Clint Eastwood TV show, Rawhide and trades cattle talk with Reba. He must be disappointed she didn’t hit her button. But she did mention she might steal him. Gwen appreciates his “warm smooth” voice. Michael wonders if he’s interested in singing other genres. NOT REALLY. Heh. He brings his wife out. They were married a week before his audition. THEY pick Gwen. – Gwen and Michael turn. Rowdy picks Gwen
323 – Trio – You Drive Me Crazy by Britney Spears
“323” is the first three digits of the Tallahassee zip code. They aren’t siblings, but met at church in their hometown. They describe how their different personalities serve different purposes in the band’s career.
As a trio, the harmonies are weak. But the gal is a decent singer. She might consider a solo career. Her voice cuts through! But compare them to Girl Named Tom, for instance. The sibling Voice winners blow this group away.
Reba loves that they are a trio, because she grew up singing in a family group. Michael jokes that he did too (no) and calls their sound beautiful. Reba would love to sing with them. She’s winning them over. Michael and Reba turn, 323 pick Reba
Gail Bliss – 61 – If It Hadn’t Been for Love
That age is not a typo. Gail, from Little River, SC. is 61 years old. She’s the oldest in the competition, she declares. She’s still working as a flight attendant. Her father passed up a record deal to devote his time to family. Her parents look like they could be her siblings. She played Patsy Cline in a show for 30 years. Auditioning for The Voice is on her bucket list.
She doesn’t SOUND her age. She’s taken good care of her voice. She’s strong and confident. But no turns yet. Or ever. Hm. Gwen compliments her “professional” voice. Gail wants to inspire older folks like herself. Someone’s gonna use that coaches replay button when they hear her story. And indeed, inspired by the spirit of his mother, Snoop uses his replay. Again, like the replay last week, Gail deserved a turn. Weird that nobody turned. It’s not like teams are filling up. In other words, Gail felt like a setup.- No turns, Snoop uses his Coaches Replay Button
Austyns Stancil – 34 – Ooo Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
He’s a single dad to 3 daughters and works as a district manager at a retail store. Family obligations made it hard to pursue music full time. “Those girls are my world,” he says. His beloved father died of a heart attack several years ago.
He sings almost the entire song in falsetto, He falters a little, because THAT’S HARD! When he finally hits his chest voice, well that’s impressive too. He moves effortlessly between both registers, inspiring a 4 chair turn.
Austyns love singing old school songs. Michael appreciated his mid range. Reba brags that she won last season. Gwen pulls out that whole “I can help you find who you are.” Snoop pulls out a corny rhyme. Gwen brags that she’s a vet and knows what she’s doing! And he picks her. That’s a surprise. I thought he might pick the other old school singer, Michael.- 4-chair turn, Austyns picks Team Gwen
The Voice returns NEXT Monday (Oct 7) and Tuesday (Oct 8) with 2 hour episodes on each night.
