The Voice 26 Recap: Blind Auditions 3 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 26 Blind Auditions continue to episode 3 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!)
NBC seems to be pushing their streaming service Peacock by withholding performance videos on Youtube etc. It took 3 days to post every performance last week. And because the show, for a second week, didn’t post a full preview, holding the videos back may continue. ETA: NBC uploaded all the videos in the a.m.
Georgia Starnes – 21 – Too Good at Goodbyes by Sam Smith
Sam shares that people are often surprised by her voice. I’m not sure why? Is it because she looks like a cowgirl (she’s from Texas), but sings like a pop star? Her runs could be more discriminate, but she has a pretty tone and decent range. Michael turns first followed by Gwen, Snoop and then Reba.
Michael compliments her control and tone and thinks she could become a star. She’s been gigging around Los Angeles lately. Gwen’s boots are crazy. Georgia admits she dabbles in a bit of country. “You look terrific,” says Reba, not trying very hard. Snoop compliments her stage presence. Michael promises to help her establish herself. Gwen boasts her veteran status on The Voice. Once again Snoop brags he owns his record company. Georgia picks Snoop! 4-chair turn, Georgia picks Team Snoop
Edward Preble – 19 – Luck by a Lady Tonight by Frank Sinatra
Here’s another standards singer on the heels of last week’s no-turn. Edward is from Florida. Let’s see if this dude can swing. He literally admits he’s curated a rat pack “accent.” He needs to stop that. His father’s family were jazz musicians, and currently he’s studying music in New York City. Oh. He wanted Snoop Dogg to turn, until he realized Buble was on the panel.
He sings with a resonate tone. Snoop turns right away. OK, he’s actually a solid jazz singer. Better than the guy who auditioned last week. Michael isn’t turning. Naturally, he’d be picky about this sort of thing. FINALLY he turns at the last minute. Snoop appreciates his showmanship. Michael gushes over jazz. He explains that he’s “highly protective” of the genre. Ultimately, Edward picks Michael. – Snoop and Michael turn, Edward picks Team Buble.
Creigh Riepe – 32 – Beautiful Things by Benson Boone
The singer is originally from Virginia, but now lives in Nashville. He’s married and has a couple of daughters. He attended college in Nashville. He had a band, but they split up. Afterward, he foundered, and became dependent on alcohol. He’s been sober for two years.
He’s a very different singer than Boone. His tone is a bit raspy and country tinged. He’s doing his own thing with this popular song. No turns, until he exploded on that big chorus. He’s got a way with dynamics. Great phrasing. Reba and Gwen both eventually turned.
Gwen calls his voice “genuine and real.” Snoop and Michael both regret not hitting their buttons. Reba compliments his emotional delivery. Creigh picks Reba. He admits she was his first concert. – Gwen and Reba turn, Creigh picks Team Reba
Tiffany Taylor – 39 – What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish
She attended the Philadelphia School of the Arts, and appeared in the movie Camp. But she never had her moment after that. She had her first baby and a career took a backseat. Eventually, she put out an album.
She sings with a fast vibrato that’s distracting and the song is slightly out of her range. She strains on the high notes. Maybe she’s nervous? Indeed, nobody turns a chair.
Michael noted the shake in her vibatro. He tells her not to give up. Gwen also believes the key was too high for her. Snoop suggests she pick another song and come back. – No Turns
Adam Bohanan – 40 – Home by Marc Broussard
Adam, a self-described nerd, is from Minneapolis. He and his wife fight over Star Wars. They got married on Picard Day. OK then. Currently he works as a wedding singer, but he also writes R&B songs.
He’s a funky singer with a gravelly voice. He’s not the greatest vocalist, but he exudes personality. He opens up on the chorus, singing in a more comfortable register. It takes a while, but Reba hits her button.
Michael had more questions than answers by the time he finished, which is why he didn’t turn. Adam describes himself as “dirty soul.” Snoop claims that he decided not to turn when Reba looked excited. “Everything was great,” said Reba, who hit her button despite trying to pace herself. – Only Reba turned
Jeremy Beloate – 25 – Heartbreak Anniversary by Giveon
He and his family watched The Voice together as he grew up. Jeremy started singing with a kids group at 4. He moved to New York City. His brother, a drummer passed away after a battle with addiction. Then, a few years later his father and another brother passed, also from addiction.
I was NOT expecting that vocal. It’s kind of Broadway sounding, but soulful and deep. Really unique sounding. Michael turned first, followed by Gwen, Snoop and finally Reba. That last bit was incredible as he flowed into his falsetto.
Reba admits he’s not in her wheelhouse, but she had to turn. He reveals the losses his family experienced. Michael senses he could sing anything. “Don’t waste your pain,” Gwen advises. She thinks she can help him find his lane. Snoop wants to help him. Before Jeremy decides, he brings his mom and sister on stage. Snoop runs up on stage to hug them. Jeremy picks Michael. – 4-chair turn, Jeremy picks Team Buble
Jaylen Dunham – 14 – Listen from Dreamgirls
He loves to clean. Come and clean my house kid. I will keep you busy for AWHILE. The Charlotte, North Carolina native has been drawn to music all his life. At 12, he began posting covers online. Millions of views later, he won showtime at the Apollo. He’ll sing his winning song tonight.
He’s at a precarious moment, his voice is starting to change, he admits. The beginning of the song was a bit low for him. Obviously he’s still finding his new sweet spot. But he’s better in his upper register. No turns. He’s still inexperienced. A few more years of work would help him. But Gwen gets so excited when she finds out how young he is…hm…. Snoop thought it was a woman singing. Michael thinks he’ll eventually be awesome.
And.–who didn’t see that coming–Gwen uses her Coaches Replay. For the first time this season, the singer probably deserved that no turn. He’ll be miles better in a few years. – No Turns, Team Gwen uses “Coaches Replay”
Mistermoon (duo) – Deeper Well by Kacey Musgraves
The two gals met in 2021 and became a duo. They wrote and released an EP and hope Reba turns for them.
They dress like 70’s hippies and sound like it too. There’s a lot of unison singing. I’m not hearing a strong solo voice. Reba and Snoop both turn. I smell Battle fodder!
Reba calls their music happy and light. She’d love to help them with their harmonies. Snoop has no idea what genre he’s listening to. Then he makes a pot joke, because he doesn’t have much to say. Michael tells a crazy story about trolling some rodeo drive clerks. I do not understand. Surprisingly, Mistermoon picks Snoop, who seems clueless about them. OK then. – Reba and Snoop turn, Mistermoon picks Team Snoop
Tate Renner – 24 – Hurricane
Tate, a country singer, would like to work with Reba, but wouldn’t be mad if Michael turned. Michael turned right away followed by Snoop, so the gravelly voiced crooner is all set. Who will he choose? His tone certainly cuts right though. Reba turns last.
Tate recently graduated from Belmont. After 5 years. I know that five year plan well… His grandfather introduced him to old school country artists. He started off a business major, but eventually switched to music.
Reba loves his tone. Michael gushes, “I couldn’t turn fast enough.” He loves his respiness and wants him to win. Snoop appreciates his style of music. Michael claims Reba and Snoop have a bunch of country singers, while he doesn’t have any. Michael, Snoop and Reba turn, Tate picks Reba
Malcolm-Ali – 27 – Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne
As a kid, Malcolm was cast as Simba in the National touring company of The Lion King. He’s been singing ever since. However, his parents insisted he have a Plan B. He moved to Los Angeles. and eventually sang backgrounds for Babyface. Still, he holds on to a day job.
Not crazy about this song choice. He’s got a nice enough R&B voice, but everything about this performance is generic. Fab jacket though!
Michael felt the vocal gymnastics were too much. Gwen liked the tone, but suggests that he “hone in a little more.” Malcolm and Snoop met last summer backstage at a festival. Snoop says come back with a better song pick. – No Turns
Frankie Torres – 24 – Magic Man by Heart
Her family fosters doggos. Currently, the Minnesota native performs with a cover band. Her beloved father died of ALS a few years ago. She’s tearful speaking about him. He was her biggest booster.
She mentioned that her dad would yell “Freebird” as a joke at her gigs. It fits, because she sings this 70’s era rock classic like she lived through it. Her powerful vocals earn a 4-chair turn.
Reba calls her a powerhouse and notes she won The Voice earlier. Gwen was sold by the end of her performance. She promises to help her connect emotionally. Michael swears that he gets rock music. He jokes that he sang Ska as a teen. Then he raps badly. Snoop would love to coach her. Reba lets Frankie hold her winning trophy. Reba was Frankie’s first concert, but she saw Gwen at 9 years old. And Frankie picks Gwen – 4-chair turn, Frankie picks Team Gwen
Tune in for ANOTHER two-hour episode of The Voice on Tuesday October 8
