Idol Chatter & Voice Views

The members of DEK of Hearts listen to the coaches’ feedback following a four-chair turn audition on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

Nine singers earned spots on The Voice and four turned all four chairs as show kicked off Season 28 Monday night.

Actually, seven singers turned four chairs because one of those four-chair turns went to the country-pop trio DEK of Hearts. They turned in one of the night’s best performances and landed on Team Niall Horan.

Also turning four chairs were Jazz McKenzie (Team Michael Buble), Ralph Edwards (Team Snoop Dogg) and Aiden Ross (Team Niall).

Oh, and leave it to The Voice to come back with a new gimmick for a show chock full of way, way, way, way, way, way too many gimmicks already.

This one is called the Carson Callback. Ryan Mitchell, a 25-year-old alt rocker from L.A. failed to turn a chair with his performance of “Cigarette Daydreams” by Cage the Elephant.

A couple of coaches said they were close to turning and encouraged Ryan to try out again. Turns out he will, very soon.

Show host Carson Daly thought the coaches should have turned, so he gave Ryan and one and only Carson Callback card of Season 28. That means Ryan will get to pick a different song and try again to turn a chair.

Editor’s Note: The Voice told us very little about some of the artists featured tonight. Voice Views has full profiles of most of the Season 28 artists. And many of them have already released music. Follow the links below to learn more.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

DEK of Hearts, Nashville, “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina: The trio earned an almost immediate chair turn from Reba McEntire and had all four coaches facing their way before the first verse began. DEK of Hearts is Dylan John of Munroe Falls, Ohio; Emily Clapp of Terra Haute, Indiana; and Kollin Bailey of Marshfield, Missouri. And Emily showed off a very powerful voice during that fun audition. They had been together 14 months at the time of the audition; they recently celebrated two years as a group. Snoop said they brought him the country holy ghost. Niall complimented their harmonies, especially since they’ve been together for such a short time. He said he’s never had aritst like DEK of Hearts on one of his Voice teams. Reba said she loved those harmonies. She turned to the fans, who seemed to agree DEK of Hearts should join Team Reba. The group huddled, noted that they sing country and pop and opted to join Team Niall in a bit of a shocker.

RUNNERS-UP

Jack Austin, 21, Battle Creek, Michigan, “This Town” by Niall Horan: Jack immediately displays a nice tone and gets quick chair turns from the two coaches he wanted — Michael Buble and Niall. He continues to show very nice vocal control. Eventually, Reba turned as well. Jack turned in a great audition. Niall said he loved the melodic choices Jack made on his song and joined him on stage to sing a bit of it. Jack calls it “a dream come true.” Reba called his voice pure and sweet. Jack joined Team Niall.

Mindy Miller, Damascus, Md., “Wildflowers and WIld Horses” by Lainey Wilson: Wow, Mindy’s voice was great from note one. Lots of power and a very nice countryfied tone. With a nice touch of rasp. And you could tell she’s an experienced performer, too. Snoop turned early in the performance. Reba turned too, but was blocked by Snoop. Snoop said he wanted a country artist, loved Mindy’s voice and her performance style and knew his best chance of landing her was to block Reba.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW

Jazz McKenzie, 31, Birmingham, Ala., “What’s Love Got To Do with It” by Tina Turner: Jazz started strong and got an early chair turn from Reba McEntire. Her voice got stronger as the song progressed, prompting chair turns from all three other coaches as well. Snoop wound up being blocked as Jazz’s voice soared. The outcome leaves Jazz in tears. Reba said Jazz’s voice touched her heart. She blocked Snoop in hopes of landing Jazz. Jazz wound up deciding to join Team Michael. Michael called her spiritual and wonderful.

Aiden Ross, 20, College Station, Texas, “Love in the Dark” by Adele — Aiden immediately showed off a wonderful tone. He hasn’t even gotten to the chorus and he already had four chair turns. Snoop turned first. The moment didn’t seem to affect his vocal as he added some nice vocal flourishes before the song ended. Niall loved the way he took an Adele song and made it his own and said he has the potential to make the finale. Reba called his voice mesmerizing. Snoop said he’s looking forward to working with Aiden after they win the show. Aiden opted to join Team Niall.

Max Chambers, 14, Shreveport, La., “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5: It was immediately obvious that he was a younger auditioner. But he showed really great stage presence to go along with a joyful vocal. Max portrayed young Michael Jackson in a show on Broadway. His vocal enticed chair turns from Michael Buble and Reba McEntire. Reba pitched the fact that she’s not just a country coach. Michael complimented him for his pitch and performance and for the joy he brought into the room. Max opted to join Team Buble.

Manny Costello, 28, Athens, Ga., “Almost Home” by Craig Morgan: Manny had barely started the song when Michael Buble complimented his tone. But it was his heartfelt delivery that made an impression. Reba McEntire was the first coach to turn, quickly followed by Snoop Dogg. His performance brought Reba to tears. She said Manny’s voice reminds her of country greats. She called him a great singer and stylist. Manny opted to join Team Reba.

Peyton Kyle, 26, Gainesville, Ga., “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars: Peyton had to have an emergency apendectomary prior to his audition. Fortunately, he was able to recover in time to try out. He has a very nice voice. And a big moment in the middle of the song prompted a chair turn from Reba McEntire. She wound up being the only coach to turn, though Niall Horan said he was close to doing so. Reba called the performance sweet and heartfelt. Michael Buble said Kyle has a great voice. Kyle automatically joined Team Reba.

Ralph Edwards, 30, Fresno, Calif., “Lights” by Ellie Goulding: Ralph said he’s tried out for The Voice 11 times and never made it to the point where he got to audition for the coaches. Well, his big voice sure made an impression when he finally did. All four coaches turned his way in rapid succession. Niall called his performance phenomenal. Michael said whoever lands Ralph will win The Voice. Snoop brought out some of his Season 26 team members to show his commitment to artists on his team. He loved the distinctive nature of Ralph’s vocals. Ralph decided to join Team Snoop.