The Voice began its 20th (!!) season earlier this month with a new, but familiar set of coaches ready to find the next big musical sensation. Blake Shelton returned for his 19th season, Kelly Clarkson came back for her sixth, and John Legend is set for his fourth. Nick Jonas chose not to return this year, leaving an open seat for Gwen Stefani’s return after taking a season off.
Monday night marked the third round of blind auditions and it was an unlikely voice that stole the show. 14-year-old Carter Rubin grew up on Long Island as the grandson of one of Jay and The Americans, a late 1960s group of “This Magic Moment” fame. Music is in his blood.
It took a split second for the coaches to turn around and Stefani and Legend were the only two to do so, but his rendition of Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Before You Go’ was punched well above his weight. Had they known who who he was, all four might have turned. Rubin’s control of his voice is profound and the power that comes from his diaphragm is miles beyond other performers of his age. If he is able to work through puberty without losing the purity of his tone, he has a real opportunity to blossom into the spotlight. Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, Public Enemy, Jon Bellion, Blue Öyster Cult, Mariah Carey and Ashanti are some of the most notable musicians to come from Long Island, but Rubin has a real shot to be the next chart-topping artist to claim ‘Strong Island,’ as he puts it.
Rubin chose Stefani as his coach and will hope to advance through the battle and knockout rounds to make it to the live show.