‘The Voice’ season 26 episode 2 recap: ‘The Blind Auditions, Part 2’ [LIVE BLOG]
Tonight on “The Voice,” coaches Michael Buble, Snoop Dogg, Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani all vie to discover and coach the next singing phenomenon on the second night of Blind Auditions.
The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice” returns with the strongest vocalists from across the country invited to compete in the show’s newest season. The show’s innovative format features five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows.
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Below, read our minute-by-minute “The Voice” recap of Season 26, Episode 2 to find out what happened Monday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. Then be sure to sound off in the comments section about your favorite artists on NBC’s long-running reality TV show, which coach you’re rooting for and who you think will ultimately join “The Voice” winners list for this 26th season. Carson Daly hosts the Emmy-winning program.
Keep refreshing/reloading this “The Voice” live blog for the most recent updates.
8:00 p.m. – “Previously on ‘The Voice’!” In Episode 1, the coaches began assembling their teams for Season 26. Team Snoop recruited Jake Tankersley, Torre Blake and Chrisdeo. Team Reba recruited Danny Joseph and Kendall Eugene. Team Gwen recruited Jan Dan and Sydney Sterlace. Team Buble recruited Sofronio Vasquez and Kiara Vega. Who will they discover tonight?
8:04 p.m. – Hailing from Nebraska, Dreion had his big break through a foster care organization where he met Earth, Wind & Fire and then opened for them on tour. He auditioned with their hit song “Shining Star,” earning a quick turn from Michael and then two more from Reba and Snoop. Gwen chimed in last, making it another four chair turn for the season. Snoop said he turned because of how much he loves Earth, Wind & Fire, Gwen acknowledged that it’s “not an easy song to do,” Michael pointed out his falsetto, and Reba reminded him that she won last season. Snoop told Dreion that he has the skills, but as his coach he could make him get “over the top.” All the coaches fought hard to win this four chair turn artist, but in the end Dreion chose to be the newest member of Team Snoop.
8:16 p.m. – Next up was Mor Ilderton from West Virginia who was partially raised by his uncle and aunt, his two supporters that joined his audition of “Coal” from the sidelines. Michael hesitated above his button for a bit, but eventually hit it, blocking Reba in the process and setting up a head-to-head between him and Snoop. Michael was proud of having hit the block and emphasized that he was so excited for his “unique” voice that he didn’t want Reba anywhere near the chance to steal him. Gwen said she didn’t press her button because she thought there was some tuning that was off. Reba called his audition incredible, mature and sexy. Snoop said he turned around because he enjoyed the way Mor projected the lyrics of the song. After his own hesitation about the decision, Mor went with Michael as his coach.
8:29 p.m. – Rock artist Crystalla Gonzalez was, as a huge fan of hers, hoping to catch Gwen’s ear with her audition of “Heartbreaker.” Unfortunately none of the coaches turned around for the New York singer. Michael explained that he didn’t feel like he was the right coach for her and he was hoping that one of the others would hit their button. Gwen said that she’s “so close” and urged her to come back. As a consolation, Gwen got up on stage with Crystalla and sang a bit of “Just a Girl” with her.
8:37 p.m. – Returning from season one, and making series history as the first artist to ever come back after making a team in their original season, Felsmere felt like she was “coming in with a new sound.” Michael and Gwen both turned for her rendition of “Some Kind of Wonderful.” Snoop said he was going to turn, but figured he couldn’t win against Gwen or Michael, and Reba agreed that she’ll be well-placed on one those teams. Gwen called her voice “so beautiful” and wants to coach someone with “big dreams.” Michael told her that she has a “jazzy thing going” and will straddle pop and jazz really well. Gwen made it clear that her vision for Felsmere is to help her get to know who she is on stage and that may very well have clinched getting picked as her coach.
8:48 p.m. – Kamila Kiehne‘s version of “Black Velvet” got three immediate button-hits from Snoop, Michael and Reba. This time Gwen held back and the others fight it out. Michael told her she “sounds great,” but Gwen thought she didn’t have “complete control” of the song. Reba thought she was singing from the heart and Snoop said he was sold in the first note of the song. Before she chose, Michael touched on the “light pouring out” of her that he sees and promised to help her choose the right songs in the competition. Kamila decided that it would be a good fit to join Team Buble.
8:59 p.m. – Mechanical farmer Tanner Frick was raised by his father to work hard in physical labor so it was touching to see him get emotional being in the studio to support his son. Tanner sang Morgan Wallen’s song “Thought You Should Know” because he’s inspired by how he started on the show and then became so big in country music. Reba got through the blocks this time even though she was the fourth to hit her button in another four chair turn battle. Gwen thought he had a “calm, pretty way” of performing the song, Michael did his best to discuss how much he loves country music, and Reba noted his growl as a standout moment. Gwen said she was “desperate” for Tanner to pick him and so she mentioned her husband, but it wasn’t enough to trump the queen Reba.
9:12 p.m. – 19 year old Iris Herrera from Michigan used music to “freely express” herself while growing up in a tumultuous home environment. She hoped to “spread light and joy” with her audition of “Gypsy,” and although Gwen and Michael both thought she sounded just like Stevie Nicks, they didn’t turn. Gwen recommended that she films herself performing so that she can “hone in” on her style. Michael was worried that other songs were the conundrum for him and so he recommended that she come back singing a different artist’s music.
9:22 p.m. – The next artist was Texas rancher Rowdy Shea with his rendition of “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This.” The audition became another head to head between Gwen and Michael. Gwen noted his “warm and smooth” voice and thinks he has “great stage presence.” Michael acknowledged that he can push the boundaries of country music’s limits and thinks he can “bridge” into pop music. After bringing his new bride to the stage to make his choice, Rowdy joined Team Gwen.
9:33 p.m. – Jonathan, Kinsley and Jacob are three friends from Florida that created their group 323 after meeting in church. They went the pop remix route with their rendition of “(You Drive Me) Crazy” and was very nearly placed automatically on Team Reba until Michael hit his button at the very last second. Reba turned because she was reminded of her own time in a singing group and said that their harmonies are “tight.” Michael said that they do make beautiful sounds in their harmonies, but Reba one-upped him by saying she wants to sing with them. Ultimately, they chose to be the next members of Team Reba.
9:43 p.m. – With classic country on the mind, 61 year old Gail Bliss was honored to name herself the oldest contestant in the competition. Her audition of “If It Hadn’t Been for Love” had the coaches on the edge of their seats, but none of them hit their buttons. Gwen said she loved the yodel and her vibrato and Reba appreciated that she came on the show to “kick butt” at her age. Snoop was the most distraught over his decision to almost turn for her and so it was no surprise that he decided to use his one shot at the replay on her. His decision brought Gail over to his team instantly.
9:53 p.m. – The last performer of the night was single father of three daughters Austyns Stancil from East Oakland. He impressed all four judges with “Ooo Baby Baby” right from the start, but they all sat back and enjoyed for the first half of the song and then went in for his song at the end. Michael said that he was taken by the switch from falsetto down to the lower register and wants to see what his voice can do in other genre. Reba said she’s confident she can win again and Gwen said that all parts of his voice are “technically great.” The coaches pulled out all the stops in hopes that he would choose them, but in the end the lucky coach to get Austyns on their team was Gwen.
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