2 Alabama singers turn chairs on season premiere of The Voice
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Another singing competition got started Monday night as the 29th season of The Voice kicked off on NBC.
And seeing Alabama on the big stage during these competitions is seemingly becoming the norm. The state has already taken over the American Idol competition this year and now, a pair of singers turned heads (and chairs) on The Voice.
Keep reading to meet Alexia Jayy and Bay Simpson + watch both of their auditions.
Alexia Jayy, Mobile
The 31-year-old from Mobile already has an established following on her social media pages and last year, released an EP titled Mixed Emotions. She most recently performed at The Grammys alongside Lauryn Hill and Jon Batiste.
Jayy sang “(You make me feel like) A Natural Woman” which was written by Carole King and made famous by Aretha Franklin.
Then it took just six words for Kelly Clarkson to press the button and turn her chair. Once Jayy got to the chorus, Adam Levine and John Legend quickly followed.
It was one of just three performances during Monday’s episode where all three judges turned their chair.
Jayy’s 9-year-old son Matthew joined her on stage after the performance and was asked who his favorite singer is?
“Maroon 5.”
That answer sent coach and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine into celebration mode. Jayy would eventually select Levine has her coach for the rest of the season.
“You have that voice that motivates me even more. ‘You know what, this is the best voice in the competition. This is what has to win and we got to make the right choices.’ I have that feeling that I don’t get often, I think we all do. You’re one of the best we’ve ever seen.”
Adam Levine
Bay Simpson, Muscle Shoals
Simpson released a four-track EP last year but is hoping the show’s spotlight can boost his career.
The 26-year-old musician from the Shoals performed “The Waiting” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. And the coaches made him stress a little bit as the song went on but as Simpson sang the last note, Adam Levine turned his chair.
All three coaches got excited when Simpson introduced himself and said he was from Muscle Shoals. John Legend asked him what it was like to grow up in a musically rich town.
“My mom’s a singer, stepfather’s a hit songwriter, my dad’s a drummer. I was always in FAME Studios as a kid.” – Bay Simpson
“Rock ‘n’ roll is in your bones… The tone and the way you deliver certain parts of that vocal really showed me an understanding of you know rock ‘n’ roll music.” – Adam Levine
The Voice Season 29
This season is branded as “The Battle of Champions” as the show features just three judges, all of them returning to the show after winning the competition in previous seasons.
There will be two more episodes of Blind Auditions, airing Monday nights at 8PM.
Each coach will take 12 singers to the next round. The season’s remaining schedule is to be announced at a later date.
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