Nashville-based Tae Lewis selected for 'The Voice', lands on Reba McEntire's team
For seven months, Tae Lewis -- a North Carolina-born and Nashville-based, gospel-influenced country singer-songwriter -- has been sitting on a secret that's just been revealed.
After the Monday night airing of his successful audition, he's proclaiming to the world that he'll join "Team Reba" for the 25th season of NBC's singing program "The Voice."
"This is one of the most overwhelming yet thrilling moments of my life. Gaining success this quickly after making my move to Nashville [in 2022] shows how the heart I've put into my grind has combined with [my skills]," says Lewis to The Tennessean.
His blind audition of Keith Urban's 2002 single "Somebody Like You" attracted attention from both McEntire and Grammy-winning soul icon John Legend.
McEntire's humorous offer of chicken tenders (which she's offering to anyone who joins her team in season 25) and help with vocals and staging sealed the deal.
Lewis's country influences include Rascal Flatts and current "The Voice" coaches Dan + Shay plus Vince Gill. Initially, Lewis listened to his family's misgivings and shelved his country inspirations for more R&B-inspired vocal work over the past half-decade. However, his passions led him back to Nashville as COVID-19's quarantine ceased.
'Momma Reba'
"Momma Reba turned around her chair for me," Lewis says with a smile in his voice.
McEntire is currently a judge on the program but debuted as a Battle Advisor to Blake Shelton's team in "The Voice"'s first season in 2011.
The "Fancy" vocalist and Legend are returning as judges and coaches for Season 25, along with newcomers Dan + Shay and Chance the Rapper, who is back for his second season following a one-season hiatus.
The show is hosted by Carson Daly, who has been with "The Voice" since 2011.
"Reba's super authentic and reminds me of how my mother cares for, loves on and nurtures me," Lewis continues.
"She's honed in on developing what she feels is my already great vocal tone and helping me better understand myself as an artist. 'The Voice' is a difficult competition that has tested how exhilarating and fun I can make [my craft]."
Lewis is gaining Music City support
Lewis' impact in Music City has already touched various sectors of Nashville's industry.
He's been named by groundbreaking Black country performer and media personality Rissi Palmer as an artist to watch in 2022. A year later, having moved to Nashville, he played one of his singles, "When I Grew Up," in a songwriting round at the famed Bluebird Cafe.
Lewis also frequently performs in the Black Opry collective's touring revue of Americana, country, folk and roots-defined shows highlighting breakout African-American talent in those genres.
As a Black country artist in 2024, emerging at a time when Black country artists are appearing in more significant numbers with brighter spotlights at all levels of its century-old mainstream industry, Lewis feels inspired by being surrounded by multiple generations of African-American country performers meeting the cultural and industrial impact of the moment.
He was also recently chosen for the Academy of Country Music's OnRamp program, plus named a Tractor Supply Emerging Artist in 2023. Paired with multiple-time country chart-topper Lauren Alaina as a mentor, during CMA Fest week in June 2023, he opened for Lainey Wilson at an exclusive event, performed at the "Ole Red on the Rise Presented by Tractor Supply" event at Lower Broadway's OIe Red bar and performed alongside Wilson on the Grand Ole Opry stage.
"Nashville's perspective on country music's industry and the higher potential of opportunity that Nashville's industry being on the rise allows the grind to yield the types of connections and possibilities currently available to me," says Lewis.
"The Voice"'s 25th season premiered on Feb. 26. Episodes will air every Monday and Tuesday throughout the season's run. Episodes air on NBC Mondays from 8-10 p.m. and Tuesdays from 9-10. Episodes are available on-demand streaming on Peacock the next day.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'The Voice': Nashville-based Tae Lewis selected for Team Reba
