Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Big Country interacts with the coaches on The Voice Season 30. (NBC Photo)

The Voice introduced fans to the first 10 artists to earn spots on Season 30 Monday night.

The country duo of Ferryn and Brinkley Wright, from Dolly Parton’s Sevierville, Tenn., earned the night’s only four-chair turn. They opted to join the team of new coach Riley Green.

And Queen Latifah landed supremely talented Mia Knight, a 16-year-old from New Jersey by pressing her first-in button. A new feature on the show, it allows the coach who turns first for an artist to automatically claim the singer.

Here’s a recap of Monday’s blind auditions, with Voice Views’ picks for the night’s top performances.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Big Country, 37, Tacoma, Wash., “I’ll Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: His big voice prompt immediate chair turns from Queen Latifah and Adam Levine. His soulful vocals got Riley Green to follow. He’s clearly quite a performer. This guy can belt. What in the heck is Kelly Clarkson thinking? She’s the only coach who didn’t turn. This guy could win Season 30. Adam suggests Big Country could win the show. Queen Latifah says he has “it.” Riley liked the fact that he said something country adjacent with soul. Big Country opted to join Team Latifah.

RUNNERS-UP

Ferryn, 20, and Brinkley, 17, Wright of Sevierville, Tenn., “When Will I Be Loved” by Linda Ronstadt: Fabulous opening by the sisters gets immediate chair turns from Queen Latifah and Kelly Clarkson. Adam Levine and Riley Green turn too, giving the sisters the first four-chair turn of Season 30. Those harmonies were impressive! Queen Latifah praised their energy. She says she sees them winning The Voice. Riley loved their old-school country music feel. Kelly reminded them she coaches the only group to win the show (Girl Named Tom). And Adam said a bold coaching choice can pay dividends. Ferryn and Brinkley joined Team Riley.

Mia Knight, 16, Holmdel, N.J., “You Stole the Show” by Sienna Spiro: Dang, Mia was about three notes into the song when Queen Latifah turns. Riley Green turned as well. Mia’s just 16 but sounds much much more mature than that. Wow, that high note. Kelly Clarkson turns as well. Really great vocal by Mia. Adam Levine came within a whisker of turning too. Riley called her performance “amazing.” Kelly reminded Mia she’s won the show with young artists. Queen Latifah praised the vocal and the way Mia owned the stage. Turns out, Mia didn’t have to choose a coach. Queen Latifah pushed her first-in button to claim the young artist.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW:

Hazel Gerson, 21, San Jose, Calif., “Too CLose” by Alex Clare: Hazel showed off a strong, slightly raspy voice from the opening note and earned a quick chair turn from Kelly Clarkson. When she hit the chorus, Riley Green turned. Riley suggested Hazel is a common name in Alabama, where he’s from and noted she was wearing camouflage. Kelly said she loves Hazel’s sound, but wants to unleash the lion in her. Hazel complimented Kelly’s long hair. Which prompted Kelly to offer her one of her extensions. Hazel said she’s not good at making decisions, but proclaimed this “an easy one.” She joined Team Kelly.

Joe Henley, 19, Grand Bay, Alabama, “Anymore” by Travis Tritt : Joe’s deep voice prompts immediate chair turns from Riley Green and Kelly Clarkson. Joe shows off nice range given his deep voice and completes a solid performance, but no one else turns. Kelly reminds Joe she won the show with country singers and suggests Riley will attract lots of country talent he’ll have to compete with. But it turns out Riley is one of Joe’s favorite artists. And Riley joins Joe on stage to sing part of Riley’s song “My Way.” Not surprisingly, Joe joins Team Riley.

Marcus Ladden Jr., 19, Atlanta, Ga., “Cry Me a River”: Michael’s theatrical opening certainly showed off tons of vocal talent. And it prompted quick chair turns from Queen Latifah and Kelly Clarkson. They would up being the only coaches to turn in spite of a great ending by Marcus. Kelly complimented him of being a great entertainer as well as a great singer. Queen Latifah reminds Marcus of her theatrical experience. and says his performance touched her heart. Marcus decided to join Team Latifah.

Destinee Monroe, 32, Atlantic City, N.J., “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue: Wow, Destinee has a lovely tone. And Adam Levine turns just as Destinee prepares to belt the chorus. And belt she does, prompting Queen Latifah to turn. Destinee nails on heck of a glory note, getting Riley to turn as well. Queen Latifah said she loved the entire performance, one so powerful her chair turned all by itself. Adam says he’s a rocker at heart in spite of his pop leanings. Riley suggested he and Destinee could win the show if they team up. Destinee joined Team Adam.

Caroline Alexis, 25, Alabama, “Take Me There” by Rascal Flatts: Caroline shows off a very nice country tone. And that earns her a chair turn from Riley Green. Her parents were back stage, hoping he’d turn. Caroline completed a strong performance, but Riley wound up being the only coach to turn. Riley said he loved her tone, her song choice and the way she performed it. Turns out Alexis just graduated from law school and has been studying for the bar exam.

Owen Uffens, 18, Rigby, Idaho, “Everybody’s Talkin'” by Harry Nilsson: Owen displays a really nice tone and nice stage presence too. He gets a quick chair turn from Adam Levine. Kelly Clarkson follows. Kelly called his tone devine and loved his vocal versatility. Adam complimented his subdued, silky smooth voice. And reminded him you don’t have to have the biggest voice to win the show. Owen decided to join Team Adam.

Brianna Cameron, 13, Union, N.J., “River Deep, Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner: Brianna begins with her back to the mic, an indication that she’s an experienced performer in spite of her youth. That youthful energy prompts an early chair turn from Kelly Clarkson. Riley Green follows. Adam Levine praises that performance at age 13. Kelly said she thought Brianna was “grown” the performance was so powerful. Riley said she has the biggest voice he’s heard on the show and brought out his dog Carl to help Brianna make her decision. Brianna still picked Team Kelly.

Ferryn (right) & Brinkley (left) Wright earned the only four-chair turn on the season premiere of The Voice. (NBC Photo)