Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Kevin Hawkins on The Voice Season 22

Blake Shelton, shut out on the first night of the show, landed the night’s only four-chair turn in Kevin Hawkins.

He also lured country artist Bryce Leatherwood and Kate Kalvach to his team and was the only coach to turn for talented young Brayden Lape, just 15.

Monday’s show had ended with a cliffhanger, leaving fans wondering who Kate picked after she turned three chairs with her rendition of “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves.

Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s show, with my picks for the night’s top performances.

The links, where available, take you to full profiles on the artists, with information about the music they’ve already released. And four of the singers we met Tuesday — Kevin Hawkins, Peyton Aldridge, Sadie Bass and Devix — have done so.

At the bottom of the blog, you’ll find links to profiles or mini-profiles of all 56 contestants who earned spots on Season 22 of The Voice.

BEST OF THE NIGHT

Kevin Hawkins, of Dallas, Texas, “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder — The incredible range he showed off with his opening prompted almost immediate chair turns from Gwen Stefani and John Legend. Camila Cabello and Blake Shelton quickly followed, making Kevin the fourth four-chair turn of Season 22. John won’t be part of the equation though; he was blocked by Gwen. Gwen said Kevin’s voice sounds like a record and a Grammy performance. Camila called his vocal “flawless” and said it’s clear he has entertainment skills as well. Kevin decided to join Team Blake.

RUNNERS-UP

Bryce Leatherwood, 22, of Woodstock, Ga., “Goodbye Time” by Conway Twitty — Bryce showed off a nice country tone and enticed a chair turn from Blake Shelton just as he was about to hit the chorus. John Legend and Gwen Stefani eventually followed. Blake said he was “blown away” by the performance. Gwen said she also likes Bryce’s “character.” John applauded the “richness” in Bryce’s voice. Bryce, no surprise, decided to join Team Blake.

Peyton Aldridge, 25, of Cleveland, Mississippi, “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band — John Legend turned almost immediately for Peyton’s high-energy performance, and used his block on Blake Shelton, who eventually turned as well. So did Gwen Stefani. John said he was “captivated” by Peyton’s voice, so captivated he used his block in an attempt to land him. Gwen said Peyton already seems to know himself as an artist. Peyton decided to join Team Legend.

ALSO MADE THE SHOW

Reina Ley, 13, of San Tan Valley, Ariz., “Cielito Lindo” — Reina’s enthusiastic performance of the classic prompted quick chair turns from Camila Cabello and Gwen Stefani, then had them dancing in front of the judges’ chairs. Camila immediately began talking to Reina in Spanish and complimented her on an incredible voice. Gwen liked her “raw and pure” performance. Reina opted to join Team Camila.

Alyssa Witrado, 19 of Fresno, Calif., “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt — Alyssa got almost immediate cair turns from the two coaches she was hoping for, Gwen Stefani and Camila Cabello. Camila complimented Alyssa on her stage presence and singing the song as herself. Gwen loved Alyssa’s “energy” and said she’s the “perfect ideal dream girl for me to work with on The Voice.” Alyssa joined Team Gwen.

Devix, 28, of York, Pa., “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals — For a while, Devix struggled to get anyone to turn. Then John Legend turned his chair, the performance got stronger and Camila Cabello and Gwen Stefani followed. Gwen complimented him on a “character” voice that’s both rich and big. John said he heard “magic” in Devix’s voice, calling it distinct and commercial. Devix joined Team Camila.

Chello, 22, of Chester, Pa., “Just the Two of Us” — John Legend turned just as Chello hit the chorus. Camila Cabello quickly followed. Chello continued to show up nice range, but couldn’t entice the other coaches to turn. Camila called Chello “a cool cat” and complimented him on a “crazy run” at the end. John liked the “joy” in his performance. Chello decided to join Team Camila.

Sadie Bass, 25, of Bath, Mich., “Stupid Boy” by Keith Urban — Sadie, now Nashville-based, delivered a nice vocal, but it wasn’t until late in the song that Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani turned around, almost simultaneously. Gwen said she thinks she’d be good at building Sadie’s confidence. She also said she loves Sadie’s voice. Sadie decided to join Team Gwen.

Brayden Lape, 15, of Grass Lake, Mich., “This Town” by Naill Horan — Brayden immediately displayed a nice, soothing tone. The coaches debated among themselves who should turn. Blake Shelton finally pushed his button and wound up being the only one to do so. Gwen Stefani, learning Brayden’s just 15, expressed regret she didn’t turn. Camila Cabello’s convinced Brayden will become Blake’s secret weapon. Brayden automatically became Team Blake.

NO CHAIR TURNS

Koko, 31, of Mobile, Alabama, “About Damn Time” by Lizzo — Koko delivered an energetic performance with lots of stage presence, but couldn’t get a chair to turn.

SheJ, 26, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., “I Like It” — SheJ sounds like nerves are holding her back, especially on the opening of this cover. And no one turns. That’s five non-contestants we’ve met, just so you know I’m keeping score if you start montaging, The Voice.

Alyssa Witrado
Andrew Igbokidi
Ansley Burns
Austin Montgomery
Ava Lynn
Benny Weag
Bodie
Brayden Lape
Bryce Leatherwood
Cara Brindisi
Chello
Constance Howard
David Andrew
Daysia Reneau
Destiny Lilia
Devix
Dia Malai
The Dryes (Katelyn & Derek)
Emma Brooke
Eric Who
Eva Ullmann
Grace Bello
Hillary Ward
Ian Harrison
Jaeden Luke
Jay Allen
Jillian Jordyn
Julia Aslanli
Justin Aaron
Kara McKee
Kate Kalvach
Kayla Von der Heide
Kevin Hawkins
Kim Cruse
Kique Gomez
Lana Love
Madison Hughes
The Marilynds (Lindsay & Kasey)
Morgan Myles
Morgan Taylor
Nia Skyfer
Omar Cardona
Orlando Mendez
Parijita Bastola
Peyton Aldridge
Reina Ley
Rowan Grace
Sadie Bass
Sasha Hurtado
Solsong
Steven McMorran
Sydney Paige
Tanner Fussell
Tanner Howe
Valarie Collins-Harding
Zach Newbould