The Voice, Season 9, Week 1: Jordan Smith, Blind Joe, James Dupré, Ellie Lawrence, And Others Move Forward


The first two episodes featuring blind auditions from a host of future talents kept fans of The Voice buzzing this week. The coaches for The Voice‘s ninth season include Maroon 5 lead vocalist Adam Levine, Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Pharrell, country music legend, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani, known for her rise to fame with No Doubt, as well as her solo musical and fashion design career.

Season 9 of The Voice got underway on Monday night with Jordan Smith from Kentucky setting the pace. Smith performed his rendition of “Chandelier” by Sia.

Jordan’s voice is so high it could easily be mistaken for a woman’s,” NBC writes, “But his range, power and pitch are all so exquisite.” Audience members quickly reacted to Smith’s voice with screams and applause. Jordan Smith got the nod from all four judges, opting to join Blake’s team.

Other voices to catch the ears of coaches Monday included Mark Hood who joined Pharrell’s team, Kota Wade who joined with Gwen, Keith Semple choose Adam’s team, Siahna Im united with Team Pharrell, Nadjah Nicole picked Team Blake, Braiden Sunshine was chosen by Gwen, and Barrett Baber, with his choice of all four teams, entered Team Blake.

Monday’s excitement on The Voice seemed to roll over into Tuesday with another group of fresh talent taking part in blind auditions.

Fargo, North Dakota native Blind Joe was the first voice to be heard Tuesday evening. Joe performed The SteelDriver’s-written, Adele hit “If It Hadn’t Been for Love.” Audience members quickly reacted to Blind Joe’s gravelly, bluesy voice by clapping along and with hoots, screams and applause. Blind Joe was courted by all four judges. He choose Team Blake after some thought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErTxjdGNs4M

Next, Ivaco Acero, a former The Voice hopeful who couldn’t turn a chair, according to NBC, this time had a choice between the teams of Pharrell and Gwen. Acero settled on Team Gwen. Following Acero, was Regina Love who took up with Team Adam, Zach Seabaugh chose Team Blake, Evan McKeel had his choice of teams, and picked Team Pharrell and Emily Ann Roberts joined coach Blake.

Roberts was followed by Ellie Lawrence, who sported blue hair and belted out a “powerful” rendition of “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off” by Jermaine Stewart. Lawrence got to pick from Gwen, Blake and Shelton. After calling Gwen “the Queen of Ska” it become clear who her choice of coaches was going to be, and she joined Team Gwen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3e1SlUpH-0

Following Ellie Lawrence, three successive aspiring The Voice contestants decided to understudy with Gwen: Noah Jackson, Tim Atlas, and Hanna Ashbrook. James Dupré followed Ashbrook singing the Hootie and The Blowfish hit, “Let Her Cry” to widespread ovation and an invite from all four coaches. Dupré settled on Team Adam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK2-wsuzFLI

Contestants on The Voice are competing for a $100,00 recording contract. The exposure gained by participants, even if they don’t win the recording contract grand prize, is seen as giving careers a great boost and as valuable experience, while providing enjoyable entertainment for viewers at home and in the live audience.

[Screenshot Courtesy The Voice / YouTube]

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