WATCH: Kelsea Ballerini Snags Jaelen Johnston For Team Kelsea After His Jaw-Dropping Luke Combs Cover On ‘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.