WATCH: Kelsea Ballerini Snags Jaelen Johnston For Team Kelsea After His Jaw-Dropping Luke Combs Cover On ‘The Voice’
Ballerini likened Johnston’s deep, rich vocals to country star Josh Turner.
Kelsea Ballerini, Jaelen Johnston; Photos Courtesy NBC, The Voice
Kelsea Ballerini used her country cred to win over Jaelen Johnston for Team Kelsea on The Voice after his standout performance of Luke Combs’ “Where The Wild Things Are.”
As The Voice Blind Auditions continued Monday night, the coaches worked to fill their teams, and Kelsea Ballerini was immediately drawn to Kansas native Johnston’s deep, baritone vocals the moment he started singing.
As the coaches continued to listen to the performance, Ballerini declared, “I like it so far” just before Adam Levine beat her to the punch, pushing his big red button to turn his chair before anyone else. Michael Bublé quickly followed, as did Ballerini. John Legend was the only coach who chose not to turn his chair for this The Voice hopeful.
Johnston revealed that he’s been singing for six years and that he’s not only just a singer, but a songwriter as well.
Each coach then took a turn to convince the young singer/songwriter to join their respective teams. Ballerini argued her point first, noting that she hoped to help Johnston fully tap into his artistry.
“In all seriousness, I love all kinds of music, but I am diehard country music. I’ve had 10 years of putting out music in that genre and your voice is unreal and in range. You’re not just a singer, you’re an artist,” she assured him. “I really think that leaning into the songwriter of you is going to be fun and I want to see where that takes us. Your full discography of what you listen to and figuring out what the full realm of who you are as an artist is. That’s my bread…my bread and butter. I love it!”
Levine, who returned to the show this season following an extensive hiatus, did his best to persuade Johnston to join his team, even joking that former coach Blake Shelton was to blame for keeping country artists away from him.
“Look, my batting average when it comes to convincing country artists to come on, my team is extremely poor ‘cause of that big, smelly guy, Blake Shelton,” he shared. “I’ve heard so much greatness in the genre but almost never had the privilege to work with country artists, but you’re too good for me to have not turned my chair around. The tone of your voice is so unmistakably bold and strong. Although I might not be an expert in the genre like some others. I know a guy and I’m sitting in this chair, so come to team Adam and let’s break the mold together.”
Last, but not least, Bublé did his best to convince Johnston to choose his team.
“I’ve got to tell you, Kelsea obviously has a great depth of knowledge about this and she lives it, but just because I don’t know it as well doesn’t mean that I don’t love it. In the last couple of years, I’ve had the most fun in my life doing duets with Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton,” he said.
Ballerini quickly interjected, adding, “I’ve sang with Dolly, and Reba, and Trisha, and Garth and Taylor!”
After a round of laughs, Bublé continued: “My first song that became a big hit was one I wrote, and Blake Shelton had it with ‘Home.’ Whatever happens, I’m going to be a fan. I love that voice, man. I love that deep, rich baritone.”
When it was time to commit to a team, Jaelen Johnston didn’t hesitate.
“I’ve got to go with Kelsea,” he exclaimed.
Within seconds, the “Baggage” singer leapt out of her chair making her way to the stage to greet her newest team member.
“That was tough,” she admitted. “I broke a sweat, but I came out victorious, sweaty, but victorious. Jaelen is a cutie patootie cowboy. When he first started singing, it made me think of Josh Turner. Would you go with me? That low, yummy country voice. I really see people falling in love with him quickly.”
The Voice airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC.
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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