In the early rounds on musical performance shows, it’s all about capturing the judges’ attention.
On shows like American Idol or America’s Got Talent, everything begins with a bunch of contestants showing a panel of judges exactly what they an do.
While most of these competition shows gradually turn the control back over to the audience later in the game, everything starts with being selected by the judges.
On a show like The Voice, that process is complicated even more by the fact that the judges can’t initially see the people who are auditioning.
In some cases, that dynamic results in an awesome reveal when the judges finally turn around.
That was definitely the case for one recent audition on the show. Like any other audition, it started with the judges’ backs turned as the music started to play.
It was clear almost immediately that they would be listening to a country song, more specifically “Drinkin’ Problem” by Midland. Right from the beginning, the singer’s voice was gentle and soulful.
Right away, judges Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson exchange some interested glances—but nobody turns around.
As the song continues, the singer’s family watches anxiously from the sidelines.
While the song continues, all the judges keep exchanging glances with each other at just how good the performance is. A few times later, his voice soars and hits a few emotional notes.
Though it goes without saying, these performances get more and more stressful the longer they go on without anybody turning around. Still, sometimes it pays off to be patient.
At the absolute last second, both Clarkson and Shelton smash their buzzers and turn around.
Though everyone thought the song was great, nobody expected to turn around and see a kid with braces!
Even though the song is about drinking alcohol, it doesn’t even look like the singer is legally allowed to drink! After a moment, the singer introduces himself as Carter Lloyd Horne from Marietta, Georgia.
The crowd gives him a big round of applause and everybody comments on just how wildly young he is. Although it sounds like Shelton is the front runner to pick up this country singer (as he always is), Clarkson still makes an impassioned play for Horne as well. She tells him that although he’s only 19, he has an old-school country sound that makes him sound like he could’ve been 50!
The whole time, though, judge Adam Levine is trying to push Horne onto Shelton’s team!
When the discussion is over, Horne has a big decision to make.
Though it goes without saying, Horne is definitely having a tough time deciding. After a few moments, the inevitable happens: Horne picks Blake’s team! As with so many other auditions, one of the best things about this one was the ultimate reveal that the person singing was not what anyone expected.
While a lot of the best country music is known for it’s world weariness and bluesy sound, we generally expect that to come from an old, jaded adult. Regardless, Horne proved that he could do it just as well as anybody else.
Congratulations to Horne on his amazing performance! Watch the full audition in the clip below:
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