Kelsea Ballerini said two rising artists “did country music so proud” when they covered an iconic early 90s hit by Brooks & Dunn during the battle rounds on The Voice.
Team Kelsea artists Jaelen Johnston, 21, Hailey Wright, 19, delivered a captivating rendition of “Neon Moon.” Ballerini beamed, “I’m giddy,” after watching the two singers team up on the unforgettable Brooks & Dunn ballad, and fellow coaches Michael Bublé, John Legend and Adam Levine echoed praises.
Bublé said Johnston and Wright both have “distinct” voices. Wright’s is “so unique and so beautiful,” and Bublé told Johnston “I found that to be such a romantic performance,” with his deep, rich vocals. Legend noted that “when you listen to a country artist, you want to feel that story coming through them, and I really felt like (Johnston’s) way of delivering the song made me believe you and feel your authenticity.” He told Wright, “I felt tour heart in it and I felt your connection to it.” Levine agreed that Wright is “amazing” and has a “unique” style that cuts through when paired with Johnston’s “powerful” vocals.
“I feel like you guys just did country music so proud,” Ballerini said. “My favorite country singers sing like they’ve had their heart broken, whether it be by life, by losing someone, or by a partner, whatever it is, and you [Johnston] sing like that. And Hailey, you sound like you have just experienced so much life. I believe you, and again, this is relatability. It’s country music. It’s authenticity. It’s vulnerability. It’s storytelling. You both have that. And this is very difficult for me, and I don’t know [which artist to choose].”
Ultimately, Ballerini decided: “The winner of this battle is Jaelen.”
“Jaelen just has that thing where, as soon as he started singing, even the audience reacted. Like, he has a reactive voice. You can’t explain it. It’s like lightning in a bottle,” she said. However, the battle ended with a twist. When Wright thought she was heading home, Ballerini decided, “I can’t” let her do that. She saved the budding, Texas-born artist to keep her in the competition. “I just had that feeling when Hailey was walking off the stage where I was like, ‘I can’t.’”
Watch the powerful “Neon Moon” duet here: