WATCH: Jackson Snelling’s Powerful Rendition Of A Justin Moore Hit Earns Him A Spot on Team Reba
Snelling dedicated the song to his late father, who passed away when he was a young boy.
Jackson Snelling; Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC
21-year-old Jackson Snelling delivered an emotional performance of Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” during the Season 24 premiere of NBC’s The Voice on Monday evening (Sept. 25).
Prior to his blind audition, the Austin, Indiana native shared his inspiring story, revealing that he and his brother are adopted and that they are both on the autism spectrum. He shares a close relationship with his brother and often sings to him to help stimulate his brain.
“He’s like my built-in best friend,” Jackson said of his brother.
Dedication To His Late Father
At a young age, Jackson awoke and found his father dead. This moment deeply impacted his life.
Previously Appeared On American Idol
Jackson Snelling may look familiar to some as he previously appeared on American Idol Season 19 in 2021. At the time, he performed an original tune that he wrote for his brother to help them cope with their father’s death.
Justin Moore Cover
With his brother and mom, Dacia, watching from the other room, Jackson delivered a soaring performance of “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.”
“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” was released by Justin Moore in February of 2011 as the lead single on his second studio album, Outlaws Like Me. It climbed the charts and became his second No.1 single at country radio. Written by Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch, and Brett Jones, the song was originally recorded by singer/songwriter, Rhett Akins, in 2006. Akins’ version of the song failed to chart.
Donning a black cowboy hat and black suit jacket, the 21-year-old had captured the attention of the coaches, especially Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire, who each turned their chairs for him.
“Now I’m proud to be here and say that I have autism and being on the spectrum… music has helped me so much,” Snelling told the coaches following his performance.
Niall Horan then took a moment to explain why he didn’t turn his chair.
“Really nice song choice. I personally didn’t turn. I just heard a couple of little pitchy things and then when she went and she’s married to Blake Shelton and then she went, I was like, well, I can work with a bit of pitch, but I don’t know if I can work against this,” Horan said. “I can’t wait to see this fight.”
“He’s afraid of me now,” McEntire quipped.
Watch
“I’m very excited to meet you. You have a gorgeous tone of voice and I’m very excited for you,” John Legend complimented.
Now, it was time for McEntire and Stefani to attempt to convince Jackson Snelling to join their teams.
“Who did you grow up listening to?” McEntire asked Snelling, to which he replied, “I grew up listening to you Ms. Reba.”
Reba Gets Emotional
McEntire appeared to get a bit choked up as she shared her love for country music.
“I tell you, Jackson, I love country music so much. I grew up on a working cattle ranch. I’m a third-generation rodeo brat, so country music is my life, my foundation. So to hear you come on The Voice and sing like you did today, I am just so proud to be in the country music business and proud that you’re representing us here on The Voice today,” she shared. “You did a great job. I love your tone. Love that song anyway, touches my heart, so congratulations and I’d love to be your coach. We would have so much fun together developing you to make those finals and win this thing.”
Stefani Name Drops Blake Shelton
Stefani pulled the Blake Shelton card when it was time to address the contestant.
“I’m very super selective on when I press my button, especially sitting next to Reba McEntire, she’s going to judge me. Okay. So at that moment it was like nothing else mattered. I love this guy’s voice. I’ve heard enough country music in the last eight years. I married Blake Shelton and name-dropping right now,” she admitted. “What you did so well with your tone in the way that you just cradled the lyrics. I mean, you really did touch my heart, but listen, I know that the queen is going to come beat me right now.”
McEntire then interfered with Stefani’s pitch to Snelling as she stood in front of her and stated, “She’s saying all the right things. I’m going to veto all of that. Let’s rewind that footage there. My gosh, you’re a good salesperson.”
“Listen to me, Jackson. I’ve had two number-one Country hits on country radio,” Stefani added before McEntire said, “I’ve had more than two, next.”
Ultimately, Snelling decided to join Team Reba.
“This a tough one. Ms. Gwen, you made a very, very awesome argument, but I’m going to have to go with Ms. Reba,” Snelling said.
Team Reba
After Jackson Snelling joined Team Reba, McEntire gushed over the contestant.
“What I’m listening for when I hear a country performer is not too much trying just honest country singer and for Jackson to come up and do this,” McEntire explained. ”That took a lot of courage and I’m very proud to have him on my team. We want to have so much. Love his voice. It’s just like great chocolate. It’s just rich.”
Stefani also praised the contestant.
“I can’t wait to watch you sing. I’m actually super bummed about Jackson. I really want a country artist on my team. You picked the queen. I don’t. So whenever I get that feeling, then I’m just going to press and fight,” Stefani added.
McEntire then danced across the stage and celebrated, shouting, “I got a cowboy.”
Season 24
This blind audition aired during the official kick-off of Season 24 of The Voice, ushering in the new star-studded panel of coaches, which includes Niall Horan, John Legend, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani.
Niall Horan returns for his second consecutive season, alongside Gwen Stefani and John Legend, both of whom have made their comebacks to The Voice following a brief hiatus.
Meanwhile, Reba McEntire is making her debut as a coach on The Voice, replacing Blake Shelton, who announced his decision to step down from the singing competition earlier this year. Shelton appeared on The Voice for a total of 23 Seasons and holds the title of the longest and winningest coach in the history of the show with nine wins.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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