WATCH: Kelly Clarkson Cries After Girl Named Tom Honors Cancer-Stricken Father with Classic Country Hit

NBC’s The Voice returned on Monday with the first round of Knockouts, pitting team members against each other for a…

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

October 26, 2021

at

4:50 pm

Share on:

Girl Named Tom; Photo by: Elizabeth Morris/NBC

NBC’s The Voice returned on Monday with the first round of Knockouts, pitting team members against each other for a chance to advance to the next round in the competition. 

Team Kelly’s Girl Named Tom and Holly Forbes faced off with hopes to impress Kelly Clarkson enough to earn a spot in the upcoming live round. 

Sibling trio Girl Named Tom, comprised of Joshua, Bekah Grace and Caleb Liechty, dedicated their performance of the Glen Campbell classic “Wichita Lineman” to their father.

“It’s a song about a really hard-working man, and we relate to this song because [our dad] is a pretty stubborn man,” Caleb shared during rehearsals, adding, “But he’s got this hope.” 

“Our family has gotten a lot closer because our dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer,” Bekah Grace went on to say. “He has such a positive attitude going into every doctor’s appointment. It’s been huge for us to see that.”

Caleb continued, “We’re definitely following in Dad’s footsteps. He wrote songs for each one of us when we were little. The fact that we can be here and call him and share this wonderful news with him everyday, I think it gives us all a lot of life, but it’s not easy.”

YouTube video

Going to head-to-head with Holly Forbes, who sang Delaney & Bonnie’s “Groupie (Superstar),” the trio blew the coaches away with their three-part harmonies and stage presence. 

Their performance of the Glen Campbell classic earned a standing ovation from all four coaches.

While Forbes delivered an impressive performance as well, it was Girl Named Tom, who clinched the win. 

“They sound amazing together, but then they showed how each of them sound alone, and they can hold their own!” Clarkson, who teared up during their performance, said. 

Forbes’ time in the competition wasn’t cut short, however, as she was saved by both Ariana Grande and John Legend. She ultimately chose to join Team Ari. 

“I have loved her from the start!” Grande said. “Having her choose me was such a beautiful full-circle moment.”

The Voice returns on Tuesday (Oct. 26) at 8/7 c on NBC. 

Share on:

Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.