Idol Chatter & Voice Views

His audition: Dustin Dale Gaspard, 33, of Cow Island, Louisiana, sang “Bring It On Home to Me” by Sam Cooke. Dustin began by playing the harmonica. Then he showed off a nice deep voice, and sang a bit of the song in French. That was enough to get chair turns from Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg in rapid succession. As the song comes to a close, Michael Buble joined them. Dustin also ended on harmonica. Reba called him different and refreshing. Niall said he could sing anything and it would sound good. Michael said he did a great job with the audition. Dustin opted to join Team Niall.

Here’s more about Dustin:

* He’s from Cow Island, Louisiana, and on Facebook describes himself as a bilingual blues, roots and folk songwriter who travels North America as a “bayou bard.”

* Dustin is in his early 30s and has released lots of music, including a 2020 EP called “In Callow Comfort,” a 2022 debut album called “Hoping Heaven Got a Kitchen” and a 2024 album called “Dylan with the Pontius of Love.” Check out one of his originals below.

* That debut album is dedicated to his grandparents. It landed after he had spent 10 years playing music throughout the deep south, Dylan writes in his web bio.

* His music is also influenced by his Canadian roots. His ancestors were French-speaking Acadian settlers, forced out of Nova Scotia by the British in th 1700s. They resettled in the swamps of Louisiana.

* In fact, Dustin is working on an album called “Avec Le Courrant,” which he describes as a banjo-driven bilingual story album detailing the journey and exile of his Acadian ancestors.

* He says the album will combine Americana music with folks, blues and contemporary songwriting influences, partly done in Cajun-French.

* Dustin toured the northwestern U.S. and Canada earlier this year with fellow songwriter Tanner Bingaman.

* Dustin plays guitar, banjo, tambourine and harmonica and has also fronted DG and the Freetown Sound, which he describes as a “high energy soul, blues and rock band.

Editor’s Note: Monday was reveal day for contestants on The Voice Season 28. Keep checking back daily for more profiles of contestants from the upcoming season.

Dustin on social media:
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