Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Houston Kelly of The Voice Season 29

His audition: Houston Kelly, Memphis, Tenn., performed “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn: Houston showed off a nice deep country tone, sitting behind the keys. He displayed got some grit in that voice too and appears to be a fun performer. Not sure what took so long, but Kelly Clarkson turned at the last second. Kelly seems to imply that was her strategy, to ensure she didn’t have to fight the other coaches for Houston. She calls him “so talented” and a “great solid country singer.”

Here’s more about Houston:

* He’s a deep-voiced country artist from Memphis, Teen.

* And like many of the artists auditioning for The Voice, he already has music out.

* In Houston’s case, that includes a 2023 EP called “Walk-in Welcomes” and a 2025 debut album called “Right Here, Right Now.”

* The latter is a 9-song project that show how versatile Houston is with songs ranging from the raucous “Bacca No More” to the heartfelt “Messages in Heaven,” which Houston calls the “most sentimental song I’ve ever written.”

* On his website, he describes his music as a blend of country and blues, influenced by the sounds of Memphis as well as traditional and modern country sounds.

* He adds that he and his band has been performing together for 10 years. That said, Houston didn’t release his debut single, “He’s Still There” until 2023. That song is still his most streamed on Spotify.

* Houston plays piano and guitar and says his background as a pianist helped him become a better songwriter and performer.

* He attended Briarcrest Christian School in Tennessee, graduating in 2023, and credits the school for providing him “the most amazing opportunities to grow as a musician.”

Houston on social media:
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
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