The Voice Season 30 is already giving fans plenty to talk about, and 19-year-old country singer Joe Henley quickly became one of the standout names from the premiere.
The Alabama native was among the first singers to take the stage during the three-night premiere event, and he had a clear goal before his Blind Audition. Henley revealed that he was a fan of new coach Riley Green but also hoped Kelly Clarkson would turn for him so he could “see new blood Riley Green and Kelly Clarkson go at it.”
It did not take long for both coaches to make their move.
Henley, who admitted that he had “never done a gig,” opened his audition with Travis Tritt’s “Anymore.” His deep country vocals immediately caught the attention of Green and Clarkson, who both turned their chairs during the performance.
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The young singer also caught the attention of viewers watching at home. Several fans said his voice reminded them of some of country music’s most recognizable voices, with Josh Turner being one of the most common comparisons.
“I hear Josh Turner!” one fan commented.
Another wrote, “I hear a little Josh Turner in that voice,” while a different viewer said, “He sounds like Josh Turner and Scotty McCreery a lot.”
Others heard shades of Randy Travis in Henley’s classic country sound, while many simply praised the teenager for delivering such a strong performance at such a young age.
Once the audition was over, Green immediately went after Henley.
“That’s my boy right there,” the new coach said with a grin. “Let’s just talk like it’s me and you here.”
Clarkson was not about to let Green have the moment to himself.
“I think it is,” she joked. “He was singing it to you! Quit looking at him!”
“It’s his eyes. I can’t help it,” Henley replied.
Clarkson then tried another approach, standing in front of Henley and even putting on a cowboy hat as she made her pitch.
“I have won this show, man, with country singers. Plural!” she told him. “Where do you think all the country singers are gonna go? Riley Green!”
Green, however, had one more trick up his sleeve.
The country star asked Henley about his favorite artists, and the teenager named Keith Whitley, Don Williams, and George Strait. When Green noticed that Henley had not mentioned him, he asked about his No. 1 favorite.
“I didn’t get to my number one,” Henley said.
Green was happy to hear that. After learning that Henley’s favorite song was “My Way,” Green grabbed his guitar and joined the teenager on stage for an impromptu duet.
The two took turns singing the song while Green played guitar, giving Henley and the new coach an unexpected moment together before the final decision.
It appeared to make an impression.
When it was finally time for Henley to choose his coach, he gave Green his first team member of the season.
“I love you Ms. Kelly, so much, I promise, but I’m gonna go with Mr. Riley Green,” Henley said.
Green was clearly thrilled with the decision, while Clarkson took the loss in good spirits.
“He could win you The Voice,” Clarkson told Green.
The comment matched the confidence Green already had in his strategy for Season 30. After landing Henley, the country star revealed that he plans to build his team around country artists.
“My strategy is to get as many country artists as I can,” Green said. “I want to get all of them, because I think there’s a great chance of a country music artist winning this whole show.”
Fans watching Henley’s audition seemed to share that confidence. Some called him a potential winner, while others said the 19-year-old was already one of their favorites from the premiere.
“The next winner!!!” one viewer wrote.
Another commented, “He could be the winner! Love his voice.”
“Winner, winner!!!” a fan added.
Other viewers praised Henley’s classic country style, with one calling his voice “pure country” and another saying he was “going places.”
The Josh Turner comparisons continued to stand out among the reactions. “Josh Turner tone!” one fan wrote, while another said Henley reminded them of both Turner and Scotty McCreery.
One viewer even wrote, “Top 10 right here!!! Brilliant,” while another said, “The best singer I’ve seen on The Voice in years!”
For Henley, however, the journey is only beginning. He now has Riley Green in his corner as he moves forward in Season 30, while fans are already waiting to see whether the teenager can turn the early excitement around his voice into a much deeper run on the show.
The Voice continues its premiere week with new episodes airing Tuesday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.
