When Tanner Gomes stepped on The Voice stage in a cowboy hat and some Southern swag, Blake Shelton seemed like the go-to choice for the aspiring country singer.
However, during the blind auditions on Tuesday night (Oct. 27), Shelton was the only coach who didn’t turn his chair around for Gomes’ performance of “Cowboys and Angels” by Dustin Lynch.
“Right now is a really good time to ask your boyfriend why he didn’t turn around,” Kelly Clarkson nudged Gwen Stefani, who promptly asked her country star boyfriend (now fiancé) why he didn’t turn around.
“I think you’re a great singer,” Shelton admitted, before adding, “I already have a lot of country artists on my team, and the best thing for you is to be on a team that has no other country artist.”
“Us three are known as the experts on country music on this show,” John Legend joked of the remaining coaches, before Clarkson interjected, “Hey, I grew up on country so you can keep yourself in that little circle.”
“I have a number one on country, so hey, riding Blake Shelton’s coattails,” Stefani added, referring to her “Nobody But You” duet with Shelton, which topped the Country Airplay chart. “I am a ska girl from Orange County, California, but the first concert I ever went to was an Emmylou Harris concert.”
“Then, my boyfriend,” Stefani added, “So, in the last five years, I’ve learned so much about country music. I feel like it’s this new chapter of my life and I think I can help you.”
Despite very, very good points made by the “Hollaback Girl” singer, Gomes ended up choosing self-proclaimed country superfan Clarkson as his coach. Watch the audition below.
.@tannergmusic's country sound is absolutely amazing. #TeamKelly #VoiceBlinds pic.twitter.com/Q3bsUmqxy6
— The Voice (@NBCTheVoice) October 28, 2020