‘The Voice’ Season Nine Premiere Continues Blind Auditions

NBC’s The Voice continued its season premiere with the next round of blind auditions Tuesday evening (9/22). With 12 spots on each team to fill, the coaches were listening very closely to every contestant who took the stage. Coach Blake Shelton kicked off the season on Monday with two contestants — Barrett Baber and Nadjah Nicole.

First up was Blind Joe. The 32-year-old Fargo, North Dakota native is blind, but didn’t let his disability hinder him in any way. He was cracking jokes, and even told host Carson Daly he was “looking good.” Blind Joe made his way to the stage and sang The Steeldrivers’ “If It Hadn’t Been for Love,” a song that was right up Shelton’s lane. All four coaches turn around, but Joe knew Team Blake is where he wanted to be.

Season nine is showing that there is no shortage of country music hopefuls and the same can be said for 16-year-old Zach Seabaugh. The Marietta, Georgia native took on Sam Hunt’s “Take Your Time.” He got Shelton, Adam Levine and Pharrell Williams to all turn their chairs. Though Adam fought for Seabaugh, he ultimately chose to join Team Blake.

The evening’s third country audition took place when 16-year-old Emily Ann Roberts took the stage. Citing Patsy Cline and Ricky Skaggs as some of her influences, she was sure to catch Shelton’s ear. The Knoxville, TN native chose to sing the powerful “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack. Both Levine and Shelton turn their chairs, but you guessed it… Roberts joined the ranks of Shelton’s overwhelmingly country team.

The last audition of the night was James Dupré, another country singer. Dupré got his start singing on YouTube, and was later discovered by Ellen DeGeneres. The Louisiana native was brought to her show to perform, and was offered a record deal by Warner Music Nashville shortly after. His career never took off, and he was eventually dropped from the label. But the single father (of four boys!) still has hopes to make his dream of becoming a country singer come true. Dupré sang Hootie and the Blowfish’s “Let Her Cry,” and earned a four chair turnaround. Though Shelton seemed like he’d be the winner, Levine put up a fight, thus convincing Dupré to join his ranks.

Currently, Team Blake has five members — Blind Joe, Zach Seabaugh, Emily Ann Roberts, Nadjah Nicole and Barrett Baber.

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.