Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Ricky Braddy reacts to coaches’ feedback following his blind audition on The Voice Season 17. (NBC Photo)

Now he’s back on a singing competition after earning a spot on Season 17 of The Voice.

And the 36-year-old Nashville-based singer did that in the most impressive of fashions, turning three chairs with his cover of “The Story” By Brandi Carlile.

Ricky opted to join Team Blake and will be featured in a battle round match that will air on the show Monday night.

Here’s what Ricky told Voice Views about his blind audition and the new path he’s hoping to take in music after the show.

Voice Views: How did you wind up auditioning for The Voice Season 17 and what prompted you to do it?

Ricky: I knew I’d be “coming out” and would most likely lose my job as a worship leader. I had been contacted by The Voice previously, so I decided to go ahead and set up an audition here in Nashville.

Voice Views: Why did you choose “The Story” for your audition song? Is that a song you’ve performed often?

Ricky: “The Story” has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but I had never performed it before. The song connects with where I am right now, so I was excited to sing it.

Voice Views: Why did you decide to join Team Blake? And what was that blind audition experience like?

Ricky: Blake was so personal in his comments to me, and It really seemed like he connected to my performance, and I felt he understood me as an artist. The whole audition process was outrageous (in a good way)! But as soon as that first chair turned (Blake), all the nerves and anxiety went away.

Voice Views: What have you been doing musically since leaving (award-winning gospel group) Karen Peck and New River?

Ricky: I came off the road with Karen in January of 2018. I was the worship leader for a church in Nashville for a year and a half … until I came out as a gay man and auditioned for The Voice.

Voice Views: And where are you hoping The Voice experience leads you musically? Are you hoping to branch out beyond Christian / gospel music?

Ricky: My experience so far on The Voice has been so affirming as an artist, and as a person. When I decided to come out as gay, the doors to the Christian/Gospel Music world were basically closed to me. My Faith is very much still active, and I’d love for a day to come where I would be accepted in the Christian Music Industry, but I’m also excited about all of the paths and opportunities ahead of me. Blues/soul music is in my bones, so I’d love to explore that more.

See also …
Meet Ricky Braddy