Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Hannah Kay, 18, of Magnolia, Texas, auditioned with Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” She earned quick chair turns from Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson. Kelly played up the Texas connection in trying to lure Hannah to her team; Blake called Hannah “the real deal.” Hannah opted to join Team Blake.

About Hannah …

* Hannah auditioned for Season 15 of The Voice, singing “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” but failed to turn a chair. She told Voice Views she returned because she knew she had what it takes to make the show.

* That said, Hannah brings impressive country music credentials to the show, including being named the 2018 Female Artist of the Year by the Country Music Association of Texas. The Male Artist of the Year, by the way, was former Voice contestant Josh Halverson.

* That honor came on the heels of Hannah’s debut EP, the five-song “Magnolia to Nashville,” released in August 2017. The title is easily explained; Hannah hails from Magnolia, Texas.

* The catchy “I Hate Boys” was the lead single from the EP. A follow-up single, “I’m Gonna (Darian’s Song)” cracked the Texas country radio charts.

* Hannah talked about that song during her Voice bio package, explaining that it was written as a tribute to a good friend who died in a car accident. In fact, when Hannah was being bullied in middle school, that individual was her only friend and they dreamed of making it big in music together. That song is based on Hannah’s determination to make it for both of them.

* Her Voice bio indicates that Hannah began writing songs when she was 8 after her dad taught her to play guitar. By age 15, she was making about $1,200 a month busking, spending that money on vocal lessons.

* Over the years, she’s opened for Tracy Byrd, Shenandoah, Rick Trevino, the Scooter Brown Band and many others. On Facebook, she lists her influences as: Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, George Jones and Elvis Presley.

* As for her Season 15 Voice experience, Hannah wrote on Instagram that even though she didn’t turn a chair “all of the coaches had amazing things to say.

* As for her Season 16 song choice, Hannah said: “I would love to bring classic country to my generation. I grew up around it, and it just hits you right in the heart.”

* Her decision to join Team Blake wasn’t surprising since she told The Voice she’s had a crush on him since she was 6. “I’ve looked up to him my whole life, and it’s been a dream of mine to be on his team since Danielle Bradbery won (Season 4),” Hannah told Voice Views.

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