With only two spots left on her The Voice team to fill, Kelly Clarkson was waiting for a 3-chair-turn artist because she’s very competitive and wants to win the “Super Steal” for the Battles, which will be awarded to the coach who gets the most 3-chair-turn artists on their team.

At this point in time, Adam Levine is leading the competition with three artists, while Kelly has two and John Legend has one, so she has been playing it close to the vest and not turning for just anyone. But talent will out and Kelly felt compelled to turn for country artist Houston Kelly from Memphis, TN, who sat down at the keyboards and performed “Walking in Memphis.”

Even so, she did wait until the very last minute.

“I was so close,” she said. “I’m sweating. I’ve never waited that long. I literally was thinking, ‘I already have country,’ but then I was like, ‘Wow, but nobody sounds like this though.’ You are so talented.”

When Kelly found out Houston’s last name was Kelly, it seemed as if it was fated to be.

Then she asked who he grew up listening to and Houston said, “When I first started, my dad and I would ride around in his pickup truck listening to Alabama‘s Greatest Hits CD. I think that’s where it all started for me.”

After hearing Houston talk, Adam said, “He’s so country, I don’t even know what to do about it.”

Then Kelly added, “What I love most is that Blake Shelton isn’t here because if he was, I know you’d pick him.

“If Blake were here, it would be already over,” Adam agreed.

“But he’s not, so I’m very excited,” she continued.

“His ghost haunts us every day,” John added.

“He does,” Kelly said. “He has that effect that lingers.”

Then Adam said, “She turned at the last second and blew our minds. I was thinking about it, too, right when she did it, and then I was like, ‘This is an uphill battle for me that I’m going to lose.’ Did you notice how she gets a little more country when she starts to talk to a country artist?”

“I get real country when I talk to my sister because she’s from North Carolina and that’s a different dialect,” Kelly admitted.

“You’re clearly where you should be and I’m happy for that,” Adam told Houston. “You’re great, man.”

Then John told him, “I thought you gave a really strong performance. Your voice has so much power to it. Kelly’s going to be a great coach. I’m so excited for you, Houston.”

“You have a lisp that’s like Toby Keith, a little growl to you a bit, which I love. You’re just such a great, solid country singer and I love that.”

“Houston was amazing,” Kelly said to the camera. What I loved about Houston’s voice was that he has this big, round tone, and I love that his name was Houston Kelly. I have one spot left and I really want something special. Right now, I have country, singer-songwriter, it’s kind of all over the map, but I am looking for soulful pop. I would really like someone to fill it out in a different way.”

The Voice airs Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Streams next day on Peacock.

Source: parade.com